Interview With JackSparrow4U

As the Pirates of The Caribbean character Jack Sparrow once said: “Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.” No truer words were spoken of Instagram Jack Sparrow impersonator JackSparrow4U.

A true treasure, the impersonator regularly attends charity events to help raise funds for important causes and more recently completed his first fire walk in aid of the Demelza Charity. Asher Meekins also writes novels, and he is best known as the author of the Pascal series.

What made you decide to become an impersonator?

It is a great way to not be yourself for a while and probably like a lot of your customers, a break from normality.

Why did you decide to impersonate Jack Sparrow?

Lots of friends and family always said I have the same mannerisms as Johnny Depp especially Jack Sparrow so for fun at one charity event I dressed up like him. Not a very real looking one, I will say.

How long have you been an impersonator? How long have you been impersonating Jack Sparrow?

I have been doing captain Jack Sparrow for about 5 years now.

What was your favourite interaction as an impersonator?

It is definitely when I visit the kiddies that are very ill in the hospitals. It’s amazing when you see their faces light up when Jack walks in. That small amount of time when they forget they are in hospital and the parents as well. It must be a release when they see their kiddie smiling and laughing. That’s the real treasure.

Have you ever impersonated another character or celebrity? What was the celebrity or character?

No, I have only been Captain Jack Sparrow

What is your favourite prop or piece of clothing?

My favourite piece and not just saying this, but it is the contact lenses. They change my whole personality and then I really engulf the character. I wear them sometimes just to go out in.

Why do you work as an impersonator?

It’s fantastic to make someone’s day different. To see people smile as they point. Some people will never ever get to meet Johnny Depp as Jack. But because I am the same height, weight, build and age, they get a small taste of what it would be like.

What have you learned about yourself since you started working as an impersonator?

I have learned that I am a very compassionate person and I have taken a lot from Jack’s character and learned how to embrace the child in me. To feel free and not to take life so seriously.

What was your most embarrassing moment as an impersonator?

Ummmm it’s got to be when my trousers had ripped. Completely from the back to the front. Everything was in danger of falling apart. Thank God I had the coat on.

What is your favourite Jack Sparrow outfit that you wear and why do you like it?

It’s the wig. It instantly gives you the feeling of being in character. Jack comes alive.

What would you say to someone who wants to start working as an impersonator?

Watch the films and interviews - Study the actor’s movements. Not just as the character but as the person. Then when you can move like the actor only then will you do a much more convincing character. But research, watch the films, watch again and enjoy it.

What was your favourite public reaction to seeing you as Jack Sparrow?

I was at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. I had all the staff out in the front having pictures. Then I was ushered to an office as the press had turned up as someone had said that Johnny Depp was at the hospital and the press had found out. I felt such a fraud and embarrassed.

What are your future plans for impersonating Jack Sparrow?

To keep going and see where the movies go. If there is another one, I can move forward with it as I age the same as Johnny will as the character. I will admit the younger kids do not know as much about Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s more the adults. So if Mr Depp carries on, I will.

If you weren’t an impersonator, what would you be doing instead?

I am an author so I will carry on with the books. I wrote a beautiful vampire novel called Pascal and the sequel Pascal Revelations. I want to do the third book. I also have poetry books on the market. All under my name Asher Meekins.

What is your life’s motto/mantra?

Don’t look back as you’re not going that way. 

What do you love most about being a Jack Sparrow impersonator?

Seeing people’s reactions and making their day different.

What was your first event working as a Jack Sparrow impersonator?

Ummm charity events, raising funds.

How long does it take to get ready?

It takes about 3 hours.

What was the weirdest event you’ve been invited to?

I was invited to a wedding to walk the bride down the aisle. I talked them out of it and just made an appearance. I think when it’s all over did she really want her special day walking down the aisle with Captain Jack? If she looks back in the future, she might have wished it was her father. She thanked me afterwards and said I was right, and it was the better thing to do.

What do you do when you meet people? Do you have a set speech or do you improvise?

I play it all by ear.  I improvise as each meeting is different. I am very quick with my humour and can deal with most interactions completely in character. I have been told how the hell can you do it. I am so fast with it.  So, I go with the situation.