John Allen John Allen is an accomplished actor who has won multiple industry awards including three Reel Award's at The Celebrity Impersonators Convention in Las Vegas, and the Cloney Award for Best Use of an Impersonator in a Single Event presented at Sunburst Convention in Orlando. John loves the celebrity look-alike business and has been involved in several documentaries, movies, and television shows. He has appeared on Jay Leno and Oprah Winfrey as well as James Bond in nearly every major casino in Las Vegas for corporate conferences. Recently, John graced the cover of the Palm Beach Society Magazine for a black tie event sponsored by The March of Dimes Foundation. He was pleased to host their annual national gala at the Breakers Hotel. Trivia: Favorite Movie: Braveheart Favorite Holiday: Christmas Favorite Sound: My grandchildren greeting me Most inspiring actor? Val Kilmer Favorite Memory from Bamboo Shark: "Filmed two blocks away from where I once owned a mens store for twenty years. I stayed at my brothers historical townhouse 4 blocks away. It was a nice feeling to return to such a familiar place and work on the film." Describe Dennis Ward in three words: Kind, gracious, creative

Mental Ward Filmography:

Bamboo Shark (2008) Character: Sean Connery

An Interview With John Allen

How did this career path emerge for you?
Well, I was eating dinner in a restaurant that I went to almost every Friday night and the bartender as a joke would always say, “Sean Connery comes in on Friday night. He’s over there in that booth.” Eventually a lot of people would come in and look and say, “Look it’s Sean Connery… there’s Sean Connery!” They’d come over and say hello and it was great.

One night, a guy came up to me and said, “Hey… I heard about you. I can make you a lot of money.”
I said, “What do you want me to do?” and he said, “I want you to beat up some guy and throw him into Donald Trumps swimming pool as James Bond.”
I said, “I can do that…” So, that was my first job and it was with a Pierce Brosnans double. Well, we pulled up to the party and we both came out of the car and looked at each other funny… and he said, “Who are you?” and I said… “I’m Bond… James Bond…” and he said, “Well, I’m Bond… James Bond” and I said, “Ok well… we’re Bonding”

Have you ever met Sean Connery?
I met him about 8 years ago and that was for a German Tea Company. It was for an 8 million dollar tea commercial. It was huge… award winning directors and film maker. When he met me he said, “Hello John… you look wonderful today.” And I said, “Of course I do… I look like you.” I really respect him. He is my icon in the industry. I honor him.

Do a lot of people mistake you for Sean Connery?
Yea. I get a lot of looks and stares. When I went out on a date not too long ago she said, “Wow… I never met anyone that gets more attention then me.”

Do you like martinis? If you do, shaken or stirred?
I used to love martinis in the beginning of all of this. But, now it’s gotten a little out of control because everywhere I go people always buy me martinis. They really affect me. They’re way too strong for me. I actually prefer red wine. I will walk around with a martini glass filled with water for my gigs, though…

How many outfits for Sean Connery do you have?
I have ten tuxedos. Seven are white and three are black. I wear the white tux a little more than the black tux, though. I also have a kilt and wear that often, too.

Do you remember any awkward moments while working as Sean?
Well… yes. There were several awkward moments. Well, here’s one of my favorites. I was at an event in Las Vegas and people were drinking and carrying on and a girl came up to me and grabbed me. She starts hugging me and said, “You know… I told my husband if I ever met Sean Connery he was the only man in the world I was going to cheat on him with… and, you’re as close as I’m ever gonna get!” So, I looked over at the husband and he just shakes his head and I’m like… oh God… I gotta get outta here! It was a little awkward.

The nicest thing that ever happened to me was in Las Vegas, too. A girl came up and started to hug me and said, “Oh my god! You’re my favorite actor in the world! I love you! I just got out of the hospital this weekend for cancer treatments. Could you take a picture with me?” So… of course I said yes. Well, I didn’t have the heart to tell her I wasn’t really Sean Connery.

How long have you been in this industry?
I’ve been in the business about 10 years now.

What did you do before this?
I was a sculptor for 20 years and had my own gallery.

We heard you attended the new Bonds Movie Premier. How was that?
It was interesting. It was action packed. Bond wasn’t very sophisticated though. He was a very serious James Bond… he didn’t even say “Bond… James Bond” or “Martini shaken… not stirred.”

If you were not performing as a celebrity impersonator, what would you be doing now?
I really don’t know. I don’t know what the heck I’d be doing. I mean, this has been a great ride… and, it was all because I grew a beard. I never knew there was so much work and desire for this character. I mean, I’m always so busy! I’m booked till next July!

In what ways are you and Sean Connery similar?
Sean and I he actually use a line a lot. There’s a conversation that a lady and Sean had in Entrapment and she says, “How do I know you’ll be there?” in regards to them meeting outside a hotel… and, he says, “I’m never late. If I’m late, I’m dead.”… so, I show up early and leave late when it comes to all of my functions.

Where were you born and raised?
My mother and my father originated from Harrisburg, PA. Then I was born and they moved to Philly. Then, I moved to Florida.

Does your family have a background in film?
No… but, I did. I was a child actor. I worked with Gene Wilder, Arlene Francis, and Howard Keel (The baritone for Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, and 7 brides for 7 brothers).

How many secret missions have you been on?
I would have to say over 200. They’re all very different… I mean, from landing in the backyard in a helicopter, appearing magically on stages, presenting a new car for Suzuki, flown to Conneticut in a private jet, worn kilts for the matriarch of a family. So, I’ve had a lot of nice things happen to me.

Have you won awards for your performances?
Yes! I actually won an award for Bamboo Shark, already. The Reel Awards. I’ve also won the Cloney Award!

When you were younger, did you resemble Sean Connery?
Actually, I did. I did look somewhat like him… slightly… but, not as much as I do now with the beard.

How was your experience shooting Bamboo Shark?
When Dennis offered me the opportunity and showed me the script…. I thought it was hilarious. This one scene we were filming in a mens bathroom near a urinal and Bobby ( played by Dustin Chase) comes in and we start to chat. Well, Dustin’s character goes, “Oh my god… it’s Sean Connery! This is wonderful! I love all your movies!” and I say, “I’m not him. I’m just an impersonator.” And as I leave I say, “Shake it… don’t stir it.” And I just walk away from the urinal.

The neatest thing, though, is that my scene was shot in Philadelphia and that is where I used to own a Mens store, before I became a professional impersonator… and, it was two blocks away from where we were filming. Plus, my brother lives three blocks away from where we filmed… so, I was able to go home and stay at my brothers place. It was really cool.
We had a great day. The people around that area were freaking out that “Sean Connery” was there and they were gathering outside. They were all following me down the street after the filming was done.

Are your children involved with film, TV, or professional impersonation, too?
Not really. My daughter, Melissa, is a graphic artist and does a lot of work on my website. She’s very talented. My son, Dusty,  is a Physicians Assistant and he runs a Pain Management clinic. On his off hours, he writes children’s songs.

Have you performed as Sean Connery in other films or TV shows?
Yes. Several TV shows, commercials, movies, and documentaries. I have performed as Sean Connery’s characters in different TV shows and I’ve just been approached to possibly develop a reality show on, “Has Anyone Ever Told You That You Look Like A Celebrity?”! It’s currently in development right now.

Have you ever filled in for Sean?
Yes. He was supposed to do an appearance in Toronto, Canada… in Casa Loma for a fraud conference. The FBI, CIA, police… all these guys were there.
 So, they called me and said, “Hey. Sean Connery was supposed to make it here, but he can’t. Could you come to our conference?” and I said, “Sure… why not?” So, I went and appeared as James Bond in Casa Loma and was overlooking a veranda of, like, 2000 people below and I had Bond girls and it was really a lot of fun!

Do you have any upcoming gigs?
I’m booked for a gig in Toronto, Canada for The British Isles show… it’s sort of like a British tourism bureau of Canada and they’re going to have me and this cast of a British soap opera- Coronation Street- a soap opera that’s been on in England forever. I’m not sure exactly what I’ll be doing there but, I’ll figure it out.

How did you like the Associate Producer end of things?
Dennis and I got together and he wanted more and more celebrity impersonators so I helped him out by giving him more and more names out there in the industry. Eventually, he took me aside and said, “You know, I’d like to make you Associate Producer.” And it was just so nice of him. I loved it.

What would you say to Dennis right now if he was here?
I’m looking forward to having a bigger role in the Bamboo Shark sequel! Also, I think he’s a great guy and very professional to work with! I would love to do it again!

What was your favorite secret mission on the set of Bamboo Shark?
Well, I really loved my scene in the bathroom. I thought it was very unusual and yet it was really great. Everyone that’s seen it loves it.