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Celebrity impersonators in Washington

These lookalikes aren’t quite the real thing.

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Larry Graves of Gaithersburg, Md., is a substitute teacher and model whose resemblance to President Barack Obama got him into another line of part-time work -- as a celebrity impersonator. Here he is photographed in Lafayette Park near the White House.

Timothy Devine / For The Washington Post

The real President Obama, pictured here in May.

The real President Obama, pictured here in May.

Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

The 56-year-old Graves has the president's height and build, and his voice carries the same rhythmic quality. Both are left-handed. Graves makes slight alterations to his appearance — thickens his eyebrows, adds a mole, uses body wax to get his ears to protrude ever so slightly. But in the right suit, the right light, he causes double takes.

The 56-year-old Graves has the president's height and build, and his voice carries the same rhythmic quality. Both are left-handed. Graves makes slight alterations to his appearance — thickens his eyebrows, adds a mole, uses body wax to get his ears to protrude ever so slightly. But in the right suit, the right light, he causes double takes.

Timothy Devine / For The Washington Post

'The best part of the job, I think, is the look in people's eyes when they think I'm the actual thing,' Graves says. 'For the near second when you see the amazement in people's eyes, there's nothing like it.'

"The best part of the job, I think, is the look in people's eyes when they think I'm the actual thing," Graves says. "For the near second when you see the amazement in people's eyes, there's nothing like it."

Timothy Devine / For The Washington Post

Graves interacts with a European film crew that interviewed him outside the White House.

Graves interacts with a European film crew that interviewed him outside the White House.

Timothy Devine / For The Washington Post

Bob Heck, who hails from Baltimore and who works part time as 'Bob the Vid Tech' on a children's show of the same name, is also a celebrity impersonator. His characters include former President Bill Clinton and Larry King. Here he is photographed playing the saxophone in Dupont Circle.

Bob Heck, who hails from Baltimore and who works part time as "Bob the Vid Tech" on a children's show of the same name, is also a celebrity impersonator. His characters include former President Bill Clinton and Larry King. Here he is photographed playing the saxophone in Dupont Circle.

Timothy Devine / For The Washington Post

The real President Clinton plays the saxophone during the presidential inaugural ball in 1993.

The real President Clinton plays the saxophone during the presidential inaugural ball in 1993.

Greg Gibson / AP

Heck's impersonation of Clinton relies more on his ability to imitate voices than a strong physical resemblance. 'If you've got the voice, it's like the soul, like it's inhabited you,' Heck says.

Heck's impersonation of Clinton relies more on his ability to imitate voices than a strong physical resemblance. "If you've got the voice, it's like the soul, like it's inhabited you," Heck says.

Timothy Devine / For The Washington Post

Heck plays a number of different characters, including Larry King.

Heck plays a number of different characters, including Larry King.

Timothy Devine / For The Washington Post

The real Larry King answers question at a press conference in May.

The real Larry King answers question at a press conference in May.

Lee Jin-man / AP

Liz Demery, a Joan Rivers celebrity impersonator, has spent the last four years attending parties and corporate events in Rivers' role as red carpet correspondent and fashion critic. She is photographed outside shops in Georgetown.

Liz Demery, a Joan Rivers celebrity impersonator, has spent the last four years attending parties and corporate events in Rivers' role as red carpet correspondent and fashion critic. She is photographed outside shops in Georgetown.

Timothy Devine / For The Washington Post

The real Joan Rivers poses on the red carpet of the White House Correspondents Dinner in April.

The real Joan Rivers poses on the red carpet of the White House Correspondents Dinner in April.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

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