Johnny Lee Harra (born Harry Lee Lovett; July 11, 1946 – March 30, 2011) was an American

Elvis impersonator An Elvis impersonator is an entertainer who impersonates or copies the look and sound of American musician and rock singer Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators, commonly known as Elvis tribute artists (ETAs), work all over the wor ...

. He began impersonating Elvis at the age of 11 and was cast as the 42-year-old Elvis in the 1981

docudrama Docudrama (or documentary drama) is a genre of television show, television and feature film, film, which features Drama (film and television), dramatized Historical reenactment, re-enactments of actual events. It is described as a hybrid of docu ...

'' This Is Elvis''. Harra, one of four actors to portray Elvis in the movie, was featured in two scenes from the re-enactment of August 16, 1977, filmed at

Graceland Graceland is a mansion on a estate in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, once owned by American singer Elvis Presley. Presley is buried there, as are his parents Vernon and Gladys, paternal grandmother Minnie Mae, grandson Benjamin, and daugh ...

. After many years in seclusion he returned to the stage before the 25th anniversary of Elvis' death. In 1995, he took second place as the best impersonator of the world during the twentieth century. The title was usurped by a Colombian impersonator. Johnny Harra signed a 6 million dollar contract with the Silver Bird Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1978, making him the highest paid entertainer in Las Vegas during that time. Harra was featured in newspapers and magazines, and on national TV shows like

Merv Griffin Mervyn Edward Griffin Jr. (July 6, 1925 – August 12, 2007) was an American television show host and media mogul. He began his career as a radio and big band singer, later appearing in film and on Broadway theatre, Broadway. From 1962 to 1986, G ...

Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, and writer best known as the host of NBC's ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson is a cultural phenomenon and w ...

and

Dick Clark Richard Wagstaff Clark (November 30, 1929April 18, 2012) was an American television and radio personality and television producer who hosted ''American Bandstand'' from 1956 to 1989. He also hosted five incarnations of the Pyramid (game show), ...

. Johnny traveled internationally performing his "Profiles of Presley" show. He died on March 30, 2011, aged 64.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harra, Johnny 1946 births 2011 deaths American male film actors American male television actors Musicians from Dallas Elvis impersonators Place of birth missing Place of death missing