James Ross Meskimen (born September 10, 1959) is an American actor, comedian and impressionist, who is best known for his voice-over work in video games.

Early life

James Ross Meskimen was born in

Santa Monica, California Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...

on September 10, 1959, the son of

Marion Ross Marion Ross (born Marian Ellen Ross; October 25, 1928) is a American former actress. Her best-known role is that of Marion Cunningham on the ABC television sitcom '' Happy Days'', on which she starred from 1974 to 1984 and for which she recei ...

and Freeman Meskimen.

Career

Meskimen portrayed the father of

Mary-Kate Olsen Mary-Kate Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is an American businesswoman, fashion designer, equestrian, and former actress. She began her acting career nine months after her birth, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner with her twin sister Ashley Olsen ...

and

Ashley Olsen Ashley Fuller Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is an American businesswoman and former actress. She began her acting career at the age of nine months, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner with her twin sister Mary-Kate Olsen in the television sitco ...

's characters in ''

Our Lips Are Sealed "Our Lips Are Sealed" is a song co-written by Jane Wiedlin, guitarist of the Go-Go's, and Terry Hall, singer of the Specials and Fun Boy Three. It was first recorded by the Go-Go's as the opening track on their album '' Beauty and the Beat'' ...

''. He portrayed Officer Wholihan in ''

How the Grinch Stole Christmas ''How the Grinch Stole Christmas!'' is a Christmas children's story by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author. It follows the Grinch, a grouchy, solitary creature who tries to cancel Christmas by st ...

''. He voices Thom Cat, Neighbor John, and Stumpy in the ''Thom Cat'' short film on ''

Random! Cartoons ''Random! Cartoons'' is an American animated anthology series that aired on Nicktoons. Much like '' Oh Yeah! Cartoons'', it was created by Fred Seibert and produced by Frederator Incorporated and Nickelodeon Animation Studio. It premiered on De ...

''. Meskimen provided the voice of the

Genie Jinn ( ar, , ') – also romanized as djinn or anglicized as genies (with the broader meaning of spirit or demon, depending on sources) – are invisible creatures in early pre-Islamic Arabian religious systems and later in Islamic myt ...

in the ''Aladdin'' franchise (which started with ''

Disney Think Fast ''Disney Think Fast'' (stylized as ''Disney TH!NK Fast'') is a Disney-themed trivia game show-based game developed by Magenta Software and published by Disney Interactive Studios. The game was released for the Wii in North America on October 21, ...

'' in 2008 and even before

Robin Williams Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951August 11, 2014) was an American actor and comedian. Known for his improvisational skills and the wide variety of characters he created on the spur of the moment and portrayed on film, in dramas and come ...

' death in 2014). In 2012, Meskimen voices several different characters in ''

Lego The Lord of the Rings Lego ''The Lord of the Rings'' is a Lego theme based on ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy. It is licensed from Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. The theme was first introduced in 2012. The first sets appeared in 2012, to coincide with a re ...

''. As well, he is the voice of

George W. Bush George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...

and other politicians for the Jib Jab animated shorts. In the same year, Meskimen voices and motion captures

David Petraeus David Howell Petraeus (; born November 7, 1952) is a retired United States Army general and public official. He served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from September 6, 2011, until his resignation on November 9, 2012. Prior to ...

in '' Call of Duty: Black Ops 2''. In the 1990s Meskimen played 5 inch tall "Little Guy" in commercials for TGIFridays. Meskimen was a contestant on season eight of ''

America's Got Talent ''America's Got Talent'' (often abbreviated as ''AGT'') is a televised American talent show competition, and is part of the global ''Got Talent'' franchise created by Simon Cowell. The program is produced by Fremantle (as well as distribut ...

''. He has also toured various U.S. cities performing a one-man act, entitled "Jimpressions", of celebrity impersonations and original characters.

Personal life

In 1987, Meskimen married Tamra Shockley. They have a daughter named Taylor (born 1990). He is also a

Scientologist Scientology is a set of beliefs and practices invented by American author L. Ron Hubbard, and an associated movement. It has been variously defined as a cult, a business, or a new religious movement. The most recent published census data in ...

Filmography

Film

Television

*'' 3rd Rock from the Sun'' – Alan (Season 2 Episode 4) *''

Anger Management Anger management is a psycho-therapeutic program for anger prevention and control. It has been described as deploying anger successfully.Schwarts, Gil. July 2006. Anger Management', July 2006 The Office Politic. Men's Health magazine. Emmaus, PA: ...

'' – Daniel * ''

Avatar: The Last Airbender ''Avatar: The Last Airbender'' (abbreviated as ''ATLA''), also known as ''Avatar: The Legend of Aang'' in some regions or simply ''Avatar'', is an American anime-influenced animated television series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and ...

'' – Lieutenant Jee, General How, Avatar Kuruk * ''

Brooklyn Nine-Nine ''Brooklyn Nine-Nine'' is an American police procedural comedy television series that aired on Fox, and later on NBC. The show aired from September 17, 2013, to September 16, 2021, for a total of eight seasons and 153 episodes. Created by Dan G ...

'' – Deputy Chief Williams (Season 8 Episodes 9 and 10) * ''

Community A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, tow ...

'' – Christopher Walken/

Tommy Lee Jones Tommy Lee Jones (born September 15, 1946) is an American actor and film director. He has received four Academy Award nominations, winning Best Supporting Actor for his performance as U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard in the 1993 thriller film '' The ...

impersonator ( Season 3 Episode 11) * ''

Friends ''Friends'' is an American television sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting ten seasons. With an ensemble cast starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa ...

'' – Bill (Season 10 Episode 2) * ''

Even Stevens ''Even Stevens'' is an American comedy television series that originally aired on Disney Channel from June 17, 2000, to June 2, 2003, airing a total of 65 episodes over three seasons. It follows the life of the Stevens, a family living in subur ...

'' - Dr. Dean * ''

Good Omens ''Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch'' is a 1990 novel written as a collaboration between the English authors Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. The book is a comedy about the birth of the son of Satan and the c ...

'' -

George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker BushSince around 2000, he has been usually called George H. W. Bush, Bush Senior, Bush 41 or Bush the Elder to distinguish him from his eldest son, George W. Bush, who served as the 43rd president from 2001 to 2009; pr ...

(voice) * ''

Hot in Cleveland ''Hot in Cleveland'' is an American television sitcom on TV Land starring Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, and Betty White. The series, which was TV Land's first original series, premiered on June 16, 2010, and was TV Land's hig ...

'' – Professor Zucker * '' Kickin' It'' - Principal Bucket (Season 2, Episode 9) * '' Mad'' –

Gandalf Gandalf is a protagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings''. He is a Wizards (Middle-earth), wizard, one of the ''Istari'' order, and the leader of the Fellowship of the Ring (characters), Fellowship of t ...

Droopy Droopy is an animated character from the golden age of American animation. He is an anthropomorphic white Basset Hound with a droopy face; hence his name. He was created in 1943 by Tex Avery for theatrical cartoon shorts produced by the Metro- ...

, Benedict Arnold, additional voices * '' Malcolm in the Middle '' – Waiter * ''

Parks and Recreation ''Parks and Recreation'' (also known as ''Parks and Rec'') is an American political satire mockumentary sitcom television series created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur. The series aired on NBC from April 9, 2009, to February 24, 2015, for 125 ...

'' – Martin Housely * ''

Phineas and Ferb ''Phineas and Ferb'' is an American animated musical-comedy television series created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh for Disney Channel and Disney XD. Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series was originally broadcast as ...

'' – Additional voices * ''

'' – Thom Cat, Neighbor John, Stumpy ("Thom Cat" short) * ''

Rules of Engagement Rules of engagement (ROE) are the internal rules or directives afforded military forces (including individuals) that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which the use of force, or actions which might be construed as pro ...

'' – Mr. Wrigley * ''

Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue! ''Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!'' is an American animated comedy series produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the tenth incarnation of Hanna-Barbera's ''Scooby-Doo'' franchise. The show debuted on September 23, 2006, and ran for two seasons dur ...

'' – Agent 1, Robi * '' Superman: Red Son'' –

Lex Luthor Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor () is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Lex Luthor originally appeared in ''Action Comics'' #23 (cover dated: Apr ...

Perry White Perry White is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the editor-in-chief of the Metropolis newspaper the ''Daily Planet''. The character maintains very high ethical and journalistic standards and ...

, Guy Gardner / Green Lantern,

Joseph Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili; – 5 March 1953) was a Georgian revolutionary and Soviet political leader who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. He held power as General Secreta ...

Jor-El Jor-El, originally known as Jor-L, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Jor-El first appeared in a newspaper comic strip in 1939 with Superman. ...

* ''

The Big Bang Theory ''The Big Bang Theory'' is an American television sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom served as executive producers on the series, along with Steven Molaro, all of whom also served as head writers. It premiered on C ...

'' – Doctor, Man (voice), Las Vegas Wedding Chapel Minister * ''

The Boondocks Boondocks are remote, usually brushy areas. Boondocks may also refer to: * The Boondocks (band), an Estonian rock band * ''The Boondocks'' (comic strip), a comic strip by Aaron McGruder ** ''The Boondocks'' (2005 TV series), the television ser ...

'' – Bill O'Reilly,

Chris Hansen Christopher Edward Hansen (born September 13, 1959) is an American television journalist and YouTube personality. He is known for his work on ''Dateline NBC'', in particular the former segment ''To Catch a Predator'', which revolved around catc ...

, Additional voices * ''

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' is an American television sitcom created by Andy and Susan Borowitz for NBC. It aired from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. The series stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart t ...

'' – Prof. Jeremy Mansfield (Season 4 Episode 3), Werner (Season 6 Episodes 2 and 3 and 11) * ''

The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest ''The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest'' (also known as ''Jonny Quest: The Real Adventures'') is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera and broadcast on Cartoon Network from August 26, 1996, to April 16, 1997. A continuati ...

'' – Additional voices * ''

Time Squad ''Time Squad'' is an American animated television series created by Dave Wasson for Cartoon Network and the 10th of the network's Cartoon Cartoons. It follows the adventures of Otto Osworth, Buck Tuddrussel, and the robot Larry 3000, a trio of h ...

'' –

George H.W. Bush George Herbert Walker BushSince around 2000, he has been usually called George H. W. Bush, Bush Senior, Bush 41 or Bush the Elder to distinguish him from his eldest son, George W. Bush, who served as the 43rd president from 2001 to 2009; p ...

* ''

Two and a Half Men ''Two and a Half Men'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS for twelve seasons from September 22, 2003, to February 19, 2015. Originally starring Charlie Sheen in the lead role alongside Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones, the ...

'' – Gangster #2 (voice) * ''

Whose Line Is it Anyway? ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' is a short-form improvisational comedy show originating as a British radio programme, before moving to British television in 1988. Following the conclusion of the British run in 1999, ABC began airing an American ...

'' – Himself

Video games

* ''

Armored Core V ''Armored Core V'' is a mecha-based video game developed by FromSoftware and published by Namco Bandai Games for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the 14th main installment in the ''Armored Core'' series and a return to the more traditional style ...

'' - Jack Batty, Men of Honor Unit B, Zodiac No. 8 * ''

Baldur's Gate ''Baldur's Gate'' is a series of role-playing video games set in the Forgotten Realms '' Dungeons & Dragons'' campaign setting. The game has spawned two series, known as the ''Bhaalspawn Saga'' and the ''Dark Alliance'', both taking place mostl ...

'' – Edwin Odesseiron, Jebadoh, Khalid, Thaldorn * '' Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn'' – Edwin Odesseiron * '' Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal'' – Edwin Odesseiron, Khalid * '' Batman: Arkham City'' – Officer Tom Miller * '' Batman: Arkham Knight'' – Additional voices * '' Batman: Arkham Origins'' – SWAT Officers, Cops * '' Call of Duty: Black Ops'' –

John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination ...

* '' Call of Duty: Black Ops 2'' – Secretary of Defense

* '' Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight'' – Various * ''

Destroy All Humans! 2 ''Destroy All Humans! 2'' is an action-adventure video game developed by Pandemic Studios and published by THQ for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It is the sequel to '' Destroy All Humans!'' and the second installment in the '' Destroy All Humans!'' f ...

'' - Additional voices * ''

Diablo III ''Diablo III'' is a hack-and-slash action role-playing game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment as the third installment in the Diablo (series), ''Diablo'' franchise. It was released for Microsoft Windows and OS X in May 2012, Play ...

'' – Additional voices * '' Diablo III: Reaper of Souls'' – Additional voices * '' Disney Infinity 3.0'' – Ultron * ''

'' – Genie * ''

Epic Mickey ''Epic Mickey'' is a 2010 platform game for the Wii developed by Junction Point Studios and published by Disney Interactive Studios, except in Japan, where it was published by Nintendo. The game focuses on Mickey Mouse, who accidentally damag ...

'' – Voice * '' Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two'' – Mad Doctor * ''

EverQuest II ''EverQuest II'' is a 3D fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) originally developed and published by Sony Online Entertainment for Microsoft Windows PCs and released in November 2004. It is the sequel to the original ...

'' – Guild Patron Volarian, Baron Zafimus, Sergeant-at-Arms Ironcast, Commission Deputy Halford, Naturalist Tummyfill, Borthen, Amren Talbot, Morte Winghammer, Green Hood Trap Master, Banker Izark, Ubani, Overseer Travog * '' Fantastic 4'' –

Doctor Doom Doctor Victor Von Doom is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appeared in ''The Fantastic Four'' #5 in July 1962. The monarch of the fi ...

, Additional voices * ''

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was released in 2011 in Japan and 2012 in North America and PAL regions, and was ported to Microsoft Windows in 2014 and iOS and Android ...

'' – Additional voices * ''

Gothic 3 ''Gothic 3'' is a fantasy-themed open world action role-playing game for Microsoft Windows developed by Piranha Bytes. It is the sequel to ''Gothic II''. A ''Collector's Edition'' was released containing bonus collectible material. JoWooD Enterta ...

'' - Additional voices * '' Hitman: Blood Money'' – Additional voices * ''

Kinect Disneyland Adventures ''Kinect: Disneyland Adventures'' is a 2011 open world video game developed by Frontier Developments and published by Microsoft Studios on Kinect for Xbox 360, with a remaster for Xbox One and Microsoft Windows developed by Asobo Studio releas ...

'' – Genie * '' Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix'' – Genie (''Kingdom Hearts Re:coded'' cinematics) * ''

Lego Jurassic World ''Lego Jurassic World'' is a Lego-themed action-adventure video game developed by TT Fusion and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It adapts the plots of the first four films in the '' Jurassic Park'' franchise, and is part o ...

'' – Additional voices * ''

'' – Various * '' Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII'' – Additional voices * '' Madagascar: The Video Game'' – Albino Crocodile, Guard, Jogger, Sailor * ''Marvel Dimension of Heroes'' - Ultron * '' Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite'' - Ultron, Ultron Sigma, Ultron Omega * '' Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order'' - Ultron, Ultimo * ''

MAG Mag, MAG or mags may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''MAG'' (video game), 2010 * ''Mag'' (Slovenian magazine), 1995–2010 * '' The Mag'', a British music magazine Businesses and organisations * MacKenzie Art Gallery, in Regina, Sask ...

'' - SVER Executive * ''

Minecraft Story Mode ''Minecraft: Story Mode'' is an episodic point-and-click video game developed and published by Telltale Games, based on Mojang Studios' sandbox video game ''Minecraft''. The first five episodes were released between October 2015 through Ma ...

'' - Milo * ''

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl ''Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl'' is a crossover fighting game developed by Swedish developer Ludosity and Costa Rican developer Fair Play Labs, and published by GameMill Entertainment. It is the first console game in the ''Nickelodeon Super Brawl' ...

'' - Nigel Thornberry (voiceover added in the June 2022 update) * ''

Robots "\n\n\n\n\nThe robots exclusion standard, also known as the robots exclusion protocol or simply robots.txt, is a standard used by websites to indicate to visiting web crawlers and other web robots which portions of the site they are allowed to visi ...

'' - Ratchet, Additional voices * '' Shark Tale: The Video Game'' – Lino, Additional Tenant Fish * ''

Shrek the Third ''Shrek the Third'' (also known as ''Shrek 3'') is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy film loosely based on the 1990 picture book '' Shrek!'' by William Steig, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The se ...

'' - Captain Hook, Attendant 2, Geek * '' Skylanders: Trap Team'' – Additional voices * ''

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom was an interactive game found in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The premise of the game is that Hades is trying to take over the Magic Kingdom and Merlin is recruiting park guests as new ...

'' - Genie * ''

Syndicate A syndicate is a self-organizing group of individuals, companies, corporations or entities formed to transact some specific business, to pursue or promote a shared interest. Etymology The word ''syndicate'' comes from the French language, Frenc ...

'' - Additional voices * '' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan'' - Wingnut, Stone Warriors * ''

The Lego Movie Videogame ''The Lego Movie Videogame'' is a Lego-themed action-adventure video game developed by TT Fusion. It follows the plot of the animated film ''The Lego Movie''. The game was published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and released alongsid ...

'' – Additional voices * '' The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II'' – Elven King

Thranduil Thranduil is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He first appears as a supporting character in '' The Hobbit'', where he is simply known as the Elvenking, the ruler of the Elves who lived in the woodland real ...

* '' The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king'' - King Thranduil * ''

Ultimate Spider-Man ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' is a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2011. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of the company's Ultimate ...

'' – Additional voices

Internet

* '' Jib Jab'' –

Music

* ''

Bugs Bunny Bugs Bunny is an animated cartoon character created in the late 1930s by Leon Schlesinger Productions (later Warner Bros. Cartoons) and voiced originally by Mel Blanc. Bugs is best known for his starring roles in the '' Looney Tunes'' and '' ...

and Friends Sing

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

'' – Elmer Fudd

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Meskimen, Jim 1959 births Living people America's Got Talent contestants American impressionists (entertainers) American male comedians American male film actors American male television actors American male video game actors American male voice actors American Scientologists Comedians from California Male actors from Los Angeles 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors