Jim Bailey

Jim Bailey was an actor and singer best known for drag performances in which he uncannily impersonated such stars as Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and Phyllis Diller.

Born in Philadelphia in 1938, Bailey demonstrated an aptitude for music at an early age and began piano lessons at age five. He went on to study at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music before moving to New York City to pursue a career as a singer and stage performer.

Bailey first developed his repertoire of female stars with performances as Diller, and over time he added several others, including Garland, Streisand, Marilyn Monroe, Peggy Lee, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Bette Davis and Tallulah Bankhead. He eventually became a regular performer at nightclubs, Las Vegas showrooms and concert auditoriums. He also developed friendships with Diller and Garland, who helped Bailey to perfect her mannerisms.

He received his first national television exposure on The Ed Sullivan Show and went on to appear on many others programs, including The Tonight Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Mike Douglas Show and many others.

In addition, he had roles in such scripted series as Hart to Hart, The Rockford Files, Vega$, Night Court and Ally McBeal, and such feature films as Blind Rage, The Surrogate and Zelig.

Bailey died May 30, 2015, in Los Angeles. He was 77.

described himself as a character actor  or illusionist