When George H W Bush invited Dana Carvey to do his own impression in the White House

Unlike the current occupant of the White House, former US president George H W Bush could take a joke. He once invited comedian Dana Carvey, who made a part of his reputation mimicking Bush, to the White House to do his impressions in front of his staff. Bush himself made an appearance on a comedy show once and pretended to dismiss Carvey’s impersonation of him as inaccurate.

Carvey later said that Bush enjoyed doing impressions himself. “George had always fancied himself an impressionist,” Carvey said on a talk show. “He started doing a little (actor) James Cagney.”

In a statement after Bush’s death, Carvey said, “It was an honour and a privilege to know and spend time with George H W Bush for over 25 years. When I think of those times, what I remember most is how hard we would laugh. I will miss my friend."