Bobbie Winslow Bobbie Winlsow is an actor, celebrity impersonator, and the owner of Celebrity Mystery Theater and Actor's Gem Productions. You may recognize Bobbie from her appearance as Fran Drescher on the first season of ABC's "The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?". Bobbie's bubbly, outgoing personality continues to captivate audiences across the nation. Bobbie's skills aren't limited to acting as she has earned a business degree from Texas A&M University and has been a successful entrepreneur for over 25 years! Trivia: Favorite Movie: Somewhere in Time Favorite Holiday: Valentine's Day Favorite Song: "The Look of Love" Chocolate or Vanilla: Godiva chocolate Favorite memory from Bamboo Shark: "Trying to keep my character while the camera crew and directors were laughing during my film segment. I so badly wanted to improv with the guys off the script". Describe Dennis Ward in three words: My Teddy Bear

Mental Ward Filmography:

Bamboo Shark (2008) Character: Fran Drescher

An Interview with Bobbie Winslow

When did you first meet Dennis?
I met him probably about 2 1/2 years ago. 

How did you hear about Bamboo Shark?
Well, he wrote the script and apparently he had a part in there for Fran Drescher. So, he was looking for a Fran impersonator and heard that I was the one to get. He had contacted me through email (He was probably stalking her) and asked if I would do the movie… and, as the typical Fran Drescher, I answered, "Oh honey! You're not going to believe it. Of course I can do Fran Drescher! Of course I'll do the movie! That sounds like fun! Only if you promise me shoes or take me shopping!"

Do any of your family members have a theatre/film background?
No. Not at all. Everyone in my family is very business oriented. From bankers to accountants to business owners. My family looks at me like, "Ok. When are you going to get a real job?" . In fact, the typical Thanksgiving dinner is everybody's talking, and then when it's my turn to talk I'm saying, "I went over to Rome this summer, spent a couple of weeks in Greece, and I just shot a movie with these actors." They're like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah…". They never believed me. Finally, Dennis sent me the movie trailer for Bamboo Shark and I started to watch it. Well, I turn around and my whole family's over my shoulder going, "Wow! You really are in a movie!"

I've read somewhere that you are also a director/producer of a murder mystery theater. Could you tell me more about that? Where can people watch this?
Well, I signed up for an impersonator convention in Las Vegas and I just wanted to get an idea as to- What is this? And, at that convention, Bill Moresco(Crash), Phil Valentine(FOX Family Channel), and myself put together a murder mystery that we already did in NY. It was a show that was put on the shelf, but we took it off the shelf in 2003 and I decided I would do the Murder Mystery with an entire cast of celebrity impersonators as a hobby for myself in Houston, Texas. So, we created the business and it exploded within months! Five years later, we're performing all over the US. I have about 80 impersonators that work with me.  This little hobby turned into quite a business venture. (Readers: You can view more about this at http://www.celebritymysterytheater.com)

As the Associate Producer and Actor of Bamboo Shark, what was your favorite role? Performing or supporting? 
Gosh, that's really hard. I would say, and right off the top, that I really have had my career advance pretty quickly from being in front of the camera to going right behind the camera… and, I like that part of it. You know… I like being the creative side and writing, casting, directing… but, I'll tell you what. When it's my turn to perform, I just love it. So, I don't have to be in front of the audience, but… when they put in front of it… I love it!

Are you working on any other projects right now?
I am. I'm the Live Production Manager for a movie that we're shooting called, "All's Faire In Love". It's a motion picture being shot in Hollywood. It's a comedy with a medieval setting and is starring Hillary Duff, Susan Margaret, and Kim Robin. So, I'm working on that as much as I can, but in addition to my Fran Drescher Impersonating, I'm also a Sarah Palin impersonator and that's been in high demand. I'm also a spokesperson/host for a Houston television show.

What did you do before you were a celebrity impersonator?
Believe it or not, I've only been working as a celebrity impersonator since 2002. Before that, I was a stay at home mom raising 3 children, CEO of my household, and was involved with musical theatre in my spare time. When my youngest child went into school I decided, "Well, let me do something on the business side. " I was bored.  So, a modeling agency approached me and asked, "Would you be interested in modeling. " I thought I'd try it but thought, "Oh… yeah right. I'll be lucky to get my picture anywhere." Within 1 year, I went from being a print model to a commercial actor to an independent film actor to a motion movie picture actor! Now, that's where I met the 2 producers, Phil and Bobby, and we started talking. They realized I had a business mind.  As a matter of fact, they decided that I would put together seminars with them and they would come in and coach and teach actors or producers how to make a movie. Now, Bobby Moresco is the associate producer of "Million Dollar Baby" and "Crash". My other partner right now is Phil Valentine who worked with FOX Family Channel, Disney on Ice, and Tales of the Crypt.

Was there ever anything else you thought of doing as a career?
I actually thought about going back to school and finishing up a Psychology Degree. I looked into it, actually. I was leaning in that direction. Maybe working with Kids , students, or people in general.

What was the worst job you ever had?
Sex Slave to an Arabian Prince. And then I was fired.

Are you anything like your character? In some aspects?
I'm very much like her. One of the directors in one of the movies I was working on absolutely through a fit one time! I was going over my lines and she yelled, "Stop it! Stop it!" . She said, "You're whining and it's driving me nuts!". I'm also similar to her because of the clothes and the flirty personality she has. I'm also very much into nurturing kids. I never realized I had a comedic style either until one night I had to go in front of an audience for the first time. I was very nervous. My first joke, the audience cracked up laughing, and I sat back and thought, "Hey! This is good!" . Also, like Fran, I write my own comedy,  produce a show, and  I'm really not trying to be like her. I mean, the only differences really are I have children and my hair is real.

Here's a good story. A friend of mine sent me a picture of Fran Dreschner and said, "Oh! I caught you at the awards ceremony!" Well, I wrote back, "I have never worn that outfit! That's not me! Where did you get this picture!". Well, I started wondering, when DID I wear that outfit? They wrote back and told me it wasn't me. It fooled me.

If there's a sequel and you were asked to be in it, would you accept the offer?
Absolutely. I would love to be in the movie and I believe I'd participate as both an actor and producer role. I definitely would be more involved.

What started your impersonating career?
When I first got involved in the industry, I started working with producers ,Phil Valentine(FOX Family Channel) and Bobby Moresco(Crash), but they kept telling me that I looked like Fran Drescher. Well, I didn't know who that was because I was basically working and raising 3 kids. So, they showed me a clip of her and I immediately said (Bobbie proceeded to talk in a Fran-like voice… amazing!), "Oh… So you think I look like her?" It just came to me. In fact, my first Fran costume came right out of my closet. It was a leopard print  mini skirt, high heel leopard boots, and I didn't have to go out and buy anything!

What was your favorite location while you were filming?
Las Vegas.  I love Las Vegas.

What was one of your favorite moments on the set?
My favorite moment was in Harrisburg when I did my first scene. The reason was because as I was delivering my audition scene the guys behind the camera were laughing so hard! I had to try and keep a straight face while I was trying to deliver my comedy. They were just fun and made it fun for me.  My first exposure was probably my best moment.

What is the most random thing you've done in public?
I was dressed as Fran Drescher, and even though most people know I'm not really her, one fan asked me to call her mom as Fran. So, I did and it just made her day. She was beside herself.

Do you have any pets?
 I travel a lot and like to just walk up and go. So, no… I don't have any pets. I don't even have a fish. I don't even have a plant! In fact, I have 3 kids and I have a hard enough time just trying to keep them alive. So, when I travel I put them in the freezer and just thaw them out when I get back.

What advice would you give Dennis Ward?
To never adhere to the rules (Which, he doesn't already). Also, to stay on course with his out of the box thinking. That's what I like about him. He does  think out of the box. Unless he gets married. Then it wouldn't be fair.  Also, the red high heel shoes are NOT your color. It really didn't look good with the outfit.

What's your favorite smell?
Raspberry.

Do you have any special plans for this weekend?
I have been doing nothing but traveling so… I am going to find a nice quiet place to go out with my boyfriend.

Any last words?
Dennis, I loved working with you and I would love to do it again. Also, give me back my underwear. (Wow… I guess what happens in Vegas… doesn't always stay in Vegas.)