The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects Talks Career, Comedy, and Coping Through Creativity
By Samuel G. Knox | UniteNews Staff Writer
Actor and comedian Michael Winslow is currently performing in Branson, Missouri at the Columns Theater. His shows run Monday through Thursday at 5:00 PM, from June 1 to September 1.
Fans should get ready for an unforgettable evening of music and laughter as the legendary Michael Winslow takes the stage. Known as “The Extraordinary Human Jukebox” and “The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects,” Winslow’s unmatched talent for vocal mimicry and sound effects has captivated audiences around the globe. Many fans fondly remember him as Larvelle Jones from the Police Academy films.
UniteNews Magazine was fortunate to sit down with Winslow for an exclusive interview. Here’s what he had to say:
UniteNews: How did you first develop your signature sound effects that have become such a defining part of your character? Is it something you developed as a young person?
Winslow: Well, I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up. I grew up on an Air Force base. My father was in the Air Corps and the Army Air Corps before that. I’m kid number six. We moved around a lot, so I had to become pretty self-sufficient. My five older brothers were each at least five years older than me, so they had their own friends. I kind of had to make my own way—and the best way to do that was through what was on TV and the radio. We didn’t even have AM stereo back then. FM was cool, but for me, it was all about watching the shows.
I’ll give you an example: my brother loved Star Trek, and I loved The Monkees. But they both aired at the same time on weekends, and there were no VCRs, no Betamax—none of that. My brother was bigger than me, so Star Trek won. I couldn’t watch The Monkees, so I started learning all the Star Trek sounds. That meant that at 3 PM., I could go… (sound effect of the Starship Enterprise). The TV became a friend. I know it sounds a little strange, but hey, you learn from your environment.
I even learned that dogs have dialects. I always wondered—could a dog in Japan communicate with a dog in Finland? And I’ve pretty much figured out that (barking sound) in Japanese is the same as (barking sound) in Finland. But never make noises in front of cats—unless you want to get scratched. You don’t know what you’re saying. It could be profanity!
So, for me, this is fun. I get a chance to share it with people, teach them to make their own noises. It’s a great coping tool. And it’s also a great communication tool.
UniteNews: You’ve performed everywhere from comedy clubs to blockbuster movies. What’s the most unusual or challenging sound you’ve ever had to create for a project, and how did you approach it?
Winslow: The strangest one for me was Spaceballs for Mel Brooks. I was only supposed to be there on a one- or two-day contract, but I ended up staying three weeks. Mel wanted everyone around—it felt like family.
UniteNews: After decades in entertainment—including a recent appearance on America’s Got Talent—how do you keep your act fresh and continue to surprise audiences with new sounds and routines?
Winslow: Travel. You get to be with a lot of people. I’ve done a lot of Comic-Cons. I got to go to Liverpool (British accent: “It was quite lovely…”), and I ran into everybody there—a Juggernaut
from X-Men, folks from Peaky Blinders…Meeting people, shaking hands—that’s how I get fresh material. I learn things by listening. Sure, I make noises, but I listen, too.
I’ve been listening to Branson, and I know what people here want—they want entertainment that’s a little different. Hopefully, I can help everyone forget about the rent for an hour.
UniteNews: You’ve probably inspired countless comedians and voice actors. What advice would you give to young people hoping to find their own unique voice in the entertainment industry?
Winslow: First off—don’t depend on AI to create your stuff. Write everything out in longhand first. I think I’m slightly dyslexic—so was my father, and he was a pilot. I learned that writing things out by hand helps me remember them.
So to the younglings…buy a shredder (mimics in a mystical voice). You gotta leave out the bad ideas. There’s nothing worse than a bad idea—especially if it’s the only one you’ve got.
Just go out and learn. Learn from the young ones—they’ll tell you what’s going on, what’s hip, what’s trending, and what’s acceptable. People are good. I believe people are intrinsically good.
I remember when Robin Williams and I used to mess around together. No comedian wanted to follow Robin—nobody— because he was that good. And nobody wanted to follow me either—because of the noises! Not even him.
You’ve got to specialize in something you’re good at. If you can heighten it and make it work—especially if it helps people—do it. There’s nothing wrong with helping folks. If someone’s having a rough day and you can get them to forget it, even for five seconds, that’s therapeutic. And yeah, noises are great—but you’ve got to practice.
You’d be surprised what you can do with your phone these days. It’s a great communication tool.
UniteNews: Any last thoughts?
Winslow: Branson feels like a wonderful opportunity to try new things. I have a new record finally coming out—it took me ten years to put it together properly. I think I’ll record it here. I’m hoping to bring other artists too—special groups, folks like Victor Wooten. I think Branson is the best-kept secret in America.
We’ll be here through August. Come see me! Like I said, I’m going to try and shake hands and sit down with everybody. For ticket information, go to https://bransoncolumns.com/Michael- winslowshow/
