Comedian Steven Scott’s spot-on impersonations add a ‘3rd dimension’ to his laugh-filled stand-up set
Be sure to catch Steven’s virtual performance at JFCS’ 32nd Annual Benefit
Steven Scott has had a knack for impersonations from a very young age, doing impressions of kids in his class, teachers and even family members. In an interview with JFCS, he recalled the time that his father – a newscaster who worked the late-night newscast – called Steven and his sister from work to say goodnight.
Steven talked to his dad first as himself and then pretended to get his sister on the phone, but stayed on the line and actually talked to his dad as his sister, fooling him in the process. “My mom was cracking up watching it,” he said.
With such a knack for impersonations, Steven naturally caught the entertainer bug at a young age, but admits he didn’t always dream of being a stand-up comedian. As a kid, he enjoyed acting in plays, and thought he wanted to be an actor. But early in his career when a few professional comedians suggested he try stand-up he decided to give it a go, and 25 years later he is still at it.
As a comedian, actor and host, he’s worked with some of the biggest names in show business and has made numerous TV appearances on Comedy Central, NBC, FOX, VH1, SiriusXM and “America’s Got Talent.” He’s lent his multi-faceted voice to a number of commercials, films and video games and traveled to all seven continents performing comedy clubs, conventions, cruises, colleges, festivals, roasts, military bases and more.
Even though impersonating different voices and sounds is one of his trademarks, Steven stresses that he is a comedian, and not an impressionist. “It peppers my set where it belongs,” he said of doing impressions of everything from a president to a subway train. “I like to call it ‘adding a third dimension’ to my stand-up.”
Some of his favorite comedians growing up were those who incorporated voices and impersonations into their set, like Eddie Murphy and Billy Crystal. As a longtime member and former governor of the legendary Friars Club, Steven was able to perform with Crystal in attendance and said it was a rush to get praise from the legendary comedian. “He told me, ‘You were hilarious,’” Steven recalled (doing a pitch perfect impression over the phone of Crystal’s voice). “It was unbelievable. When you get to meet your heroes and share the stage with them, it is pretty amazing.”
But sharing the stage with legends is only one perk of the job. One of the highlights of the early part of Steven’s career was when his former high school hired him to perform at a fundraising event. “I did impressions of the teachers and administrators right to their faces, to roaring laughter,” he said. “I said, ‘You’re paying me to do something you would have thrown me into detention for.’ As a comedian, I’m making a living doing the same stuff I was getting punished for as a kid.”
Like all performers, 2020 has been a difficult year for Steven. His last live stand-up show was on March 1. He was supposed to perform on a cruise later that month, which got cancelled. He has been performing virtually since then, as he will for the JFCS 32nd Annual Benefit. He was looking forward to coming to Minnesota – it would have been his 43rd state to perform in. Also – even though he grew up on the East Coast – he is a Minnesota Vikings fan and was planning to attend a game when he was in town.
Nevertheless, he is very excited to perform as part of JFCS’ first-ever virtual Benefit. “I’m thrilled JFCS is still doing it because it’s a great cause and a great event,” Steven said. “We’re going to make it a great time no matter what. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s so important to be able to laugh – this year especially.”