Jamie Costa Explained

Jamie Costa
Birth Name:James Edward Costa
Birth Date:1990 5, mf=yes
Birth Place:Charleston, South Carolina
Years Active:2013–present

James Edward Costa (born May 12, 1990) is an American actor, voice actor, writer and director.[1] [2] He gained international attention[3] [4] for his impersonation of Robin Williams.[5] [6] He made his film debut in the crime-thriller film, Bring Him to Me.[7]

Early life

Jamie Costa was born on May 12, 1990, and grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended private Christian schools up until high school when he was sent to a military boarding school in Virginia where he ended up graduating highest-ranking cadet.[8] He briefly attended college at The Citadel and eventually ended up studying theater at North Greenville University in South Carolina. He took a semester to study film in Los Angeles, and [9] then finally graduated in December 2013.[10] He also has a brother named Caleb.

Career

Starting in 2015, Costa began posting impersonations on YouTube, including Robin Williams,[11] [12] Ian McKellen,[13] Owen Wilson, Matthew McConaughey, and Harrison Ford.

In July 2015, Costa moved to LA to continue his career in acting and filmmaking and has since appeared in various film and television projects both on screen and as a voice over artist. He has produced and acted in Star Wars fan films hosted on his YouTube channel.

In 2017, Costa played supporting roles in the feature film Heaven Bound[14] and on the TV show My Crazy Ex.[15] In 2018, he played a supporting role in the movie Funny Story[16] and the Price of Fame TV series.[17] Costa played a soldier in the 2020 B-rated film, Robot Riot.[18]

In 2021, Costa posted a five minute piece titled "ROBIN Test Footage Scene" to YouTube. The video shows Williams, played by Costa, in his trailer preparing for an episode of Mork & Mindy. His co-star Pam Dawber (portrayed by Sarah Murphree) brings news of John Belushi's death, prompting an emotional reaction from Williams.[19] [5] The video received several million views.[4] USA Today and The Independent both called his imitation of Williams "uncanny".[6] [4]

In 2022, in an interview with Silver Screen magazine,[20] Costa announced that he will have a guest role as young Kurt Russell on one of the episodes for the Netflix adult animated series: Agent Elvis starring Matthew McConaughey as Elvis. He also starred in a short film titled The Cowboy & the Samurai with director and writer, Jake Lewis.[21] [22]

Costa made his theatrical debut in the 2023 feature Australian film Bring Him to Me, a crime thriller alongside actors Barry Pepper and Sam Neill.[23]

Upcoming projects

Currently in post-production, Costa will also be portraying Herman Schultz / Shocker ll in the upcoming 2024 web series Spider Man and the Monsters of Manhattan after it was previously announced to be released in 2021.[24]

He also has other voice roles in upcoming projects such as the third season of What If...?[25] in one episode and as Agent Richard Beckett in the independent web-series, Zack In Time.[26]

Costa announced on his YouTube community tab page that he will star in the 2024 horror film titled, Scurry alongside newcomer Australian RnB artist, Emalia. Scurry will be Costa's first one-shot film. [27]

Costa will also star in the action-supernatural film, Fight For Your Life with Luke Sparke alongside Entourage star, Jeremy Piven.[28]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017Heaven BoundCurtDirect to DvD
2018Funny StoryWaiterExtra
2019ZerovilleAdditional voices
2020Robot RiotPetersonSupporting
2023Bring Him to MeJake the Passenger Feature Film[29]
The Activated ManOrs GabrielFeature Film

Short Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013WolverineLoganFan Film
ShifterTV Host/TV ChefShort filmAlso director
2014Take a Deep BreathPizarroShort filmVoice only
Shadows of ManManShort film
2015Cures AnythingCashShort film
2016We Can't DieRichard WestShort film
Han SoloFan film[30]
2018A Magician Home AloneHarvShort film
Jurassic World: ExodusNeal "Doc"Fan Film
2019KENOBI: A Star Wars StoryObi-Wan "Ben" KenobiFan Film
Star Wars: OriginsWalterFan Film
2021Fan Film
RobinRobin WilliamsTest footage
2022Defiance: A Joker Fan FilmVoice of JokerFan Film
2023The Cowboy and The Samurai[31] Jack NicholsonShort Film
Outpost[32] Sager/The ThiefShort Film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015Jimmy's BooksJimmy / Cool Robot / DirectorVoice only
The 3rd Annual Geekie AwardsMarty McFlyTV movie
Schmoes Know Movie ShowHimselfEpisode 213
2016Making an ImpressionHimselfDocumentary
Caught on Camera with Nick CannonHimself
  1. 2.3
2017My Crazy ExBilly
  1. 4.11
The InspectorsDuncan Soto
  1. 2.16 (Guest Appearance)
2018The Price of FamePatrick Swayze
  1. 1.5
2023Agent ElvisKurt RussellVoice role; 1 episode
The Beech BoysFBI Agent Ashley7 episodes
TBAWhat If...?TBAVoice role; 1 episode

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2019How It Should Have EndedThe GenieVoice role; 2 episodes
2024Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man and the Monsters of ManhattanHerman Schultz / Shocker IIWeb Series
TBAZack In Time Agent Richard BeckettVoice role

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2020Final Fantasy VII RemakeAdditional voices
2021Doki Doki Literature ClubCaeser
2023 Pinball M - The Thing
2024What If...? An Immersive StorySteve Rogers/Titan Judge

Stage

Notes and References

  1. News: Jamie Costa's Robin Williams impersonation leaves fans clamoring for a whole film.. CNN News.
  2. News: Berkowitz . Joe . Take A Break From "Young Han Solo" News With A Shockingly Good Young Han Solo Fan Film Get your pew-pew-pew fix with Han Solo: A Smuggler's Trade, a fan-made film that captures the spirit of the real thing . October 22, 2022 . Fast Company . January 5, 2017.
  3. News: This Robin Williams lookalike is uncannily good at impressions: You can't beat a good impression and this guy is stellar at them. . November 9, 2022 . Irish Examiner . May 7, 2015.
  4. News: Barnett . David . What is it we all like about impressions? . November 8, 2022 . The Independent (Daily Edition) . January 13, 2022.
  5. Web site: Robin Williams' Daughter Asks Fans to Stop 'Spamming' Her with Viral Impression Video of Her Dad. Bjornson. Greta. October 14, 2021. People. August 22, 2022.
  6. Web site: Jamie Costa channeling Robin Williams on YouTube 'screen test' has fans calling for a biopic. Alexander. Bryan. October 13, 2021. USA Today. August 22, 2022.
  7. Web site: Barry Pepper, Sam Neill to Star in Mob Thriller 'Bring Him to Me' (EXCLUSIVE) . December 7, 2022.
  8. News: Paras . Andy . The real Jamie Costa: Charleston native recognized for Robin Williams, Harrison Ford impressions . November 7, 2022 . Post and Courier . March 11, 2015.
  9. Web site: Costa. Jamie. Jamie Costa '15. ngu.edu.
  10. News: Costa. Jamie. August 4, 2015. NGU Grad Appears on 'America's Got Talent'. Greenville News.
  11. News: Blumm . K.C. . Jamie Costa Does the Best Robin Williams Impressions You Will Ever See . December 9, 2022 . People . April 15, 2015.
  12. News: Hodgson . Claire . This guy's Robin Williams impressions are INCREDIBLE . October 22, 2022 . Cosmopolitan . April 15, 2015.
  13. Wasman . Olivia B. . This Master Robin Williams Impressionist Is Back With More Spot-On Celebrity Imitations . October 22, 2022 . Time . May 7, 2015.
  14. News: Arce . Nichole . Watch Actor Jamie Costa Pay Tribute To Robin Williams With 20 Amazing Impressions . October 25, 2022 . Tech Times . April 15, 2015.
  15. News: Kaur . Jaspreet . Who is Jamie Costa, as comedian's Robin Williams impression goes viral . October 25, 2022 . HITC.
  16. Web site: Funny Story - Full Cast & Crew . TV Guide . Fandom Company . October 25, 2022.
  17. News: Khan . Zarik . Hanging with the first Young Han Solo, Jamie Costa . October 25, 2022 . AIPT Comics . May 14, 2018.
  18. News: Barton . Rebekah . Robin Williams's Daughter Begs People to Stop "Spamming" Her With Viral Video . October 25, 2022 . Inside the Magic . October 14, 2021.
  19. Web site: Robin Williams Fans Are Blown Away by Actor Jamie Costa's Impersonation: 'We Need a Biopic'. Cher. October 12, 2021. People. August 22, 2022.
  20. Web site: Silver Screen Magazine - Cinema, Stars, Hollywood, News. April 10, 2022. January 27, 2024.
  21. News: Anderson . Hayley . Agent Elvis: Truth behind Kurt Russell being Walt Disney's final words and kicking Elvis . May 5, 2023 . Express UK . March 15, 2023.
  22. Jamie Costa Interview . Silver Screen Magazine . May 26, 2022.
  23. News: Bring Him to Me Official Trailer . October 16, 2023 . youtube . Aug 23, 2023.
  24. Web site: Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man and the Monsters of Manhattan SERIES (2021) . Kinorium.com . October 25, 2022.
  25. Web site: Jamie Costa - YouTube. www.youtube.com. January 27, 2024.
  26. Web site: Instagram. www.instagram.com. January 27, 2024.
  27. News: Scurry . Variety.com . November 4, 2023.
  28. Web site: Ritman . Alex . 2023-05-19 . Cannes: Jeremy Piven to Lead Supernatural Gladiator Actioner ‘Fight for Your Life’ (Exclusive) . 2024-01-26 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  29. Web site: Bring Him To Me . . December 7, 2022.
  30. Web site: This Han Solo Fan Film Will Get You Pumped for the Star Wars Spin-Off. B. Alan. Orange. January 6, 2017. MovieWeb. January 27, 2024.
  31. Web site: THE COWBOY AND THE SAMURAI - the Legend of Jack Nicholson and John Belushi . .
  32. Web site: OUTPOST - 4K Trailer . .