Saturday Night Live’s political comedian and satirist, Darrell Hammond, will perform at OU on Friday, Sept. 10, as part of this year’s Celebrating the Liberal Arts Presidential Leadership theme, sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences.

In the midst of an election year, the 2004 academic school year will feature many special events, including classes that explore the importance of politics, guest speakers and presentations from authors, OU alumni and local politicians, a political film series and trips to presidential locations.

Hammond’s performance is one of the first major Presidential Leadership events planned for the year.

Hammond is mostly known for his impressions of former president Bill Clinton, but impersonates many other politicians and media figures as well. He has impersonated nearly the entire Bush administration from Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Attorney General John Ashcroft, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge. Rudy Giuliani, Jesse Jackson, Dan Rather, Sean Connery, Jay Leno and Regis Philbin also are on his list of impersonations.

Hammond’s talent and accuracy of portraying these luminaries has gained him national recognition and the opportunity to perform for President Clinton in 1997 at a political event in Washington, D.C., and for President Bush at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2001.

His political humor has not only developed his stand-up comedy career but also has led to guest appearances in movies such as “Scary Movie 3,” “New York Minute,” “Agent Cody Banks” and “The King and I.” These roles, along with his television appearances on several late-night talk shows, MTV, Showtime, Comedy Central, VH-1 and many more have made Hammond one of the most recognized names in political comedy.

His celebrity, along with his signature impressions, makes Hammond a unique addition to OU’s Presidential Leadership program. The performance will showcase the more relaxed and comical side of politics.

“We selected Darrell Hammond because of his ability to do political impersonations and also with the hope of kicking off the Presidential Leadership theme on a little lighter note,” said Center for Student Activities Director Jean Ann Miller. “We want to keep it balanced and keep it real. Life in America can be so serious and it’s just another way of showing how life can be in the United States.” 

Hammond’s performance begins at 7 p.m. in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but on a first-come, first-served basis.