James Adomian
A chameleonic comedian whose sharp political impressions and chaotic podcast energy defined a strand of alternative comedy in the 2010s.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American comedian and actor·Birthday: January 31·Generation X
Biography
James Adomian emerged from the vibrant Los Angeles alternative comedy scene, a master of voice and character who treated impersonation as a form of high-concept satire. His breakout came with a startlingly accurate and oddly sympathetic George W. Bush on late-night TV, but his range proved vast, encompassing Tom Leykis, Jesse Ventura, and a definitive, gravel-voiced Bernie Sanders. He became a cornerstone of the podcast boom, a frequent and wildly unpredictable guest on shows like 'Comedy Bang! Bang!' where his characters often derailed proceedings with manic commitment. Beyond politics, his work includes voice acting in animated series and a stand-up style that blends character work with personal, off-kilter observations. Adomian's legacy is that of a performer's performer, whose deep-dive characterizations influenced a generation of comedians to treat mimicry as an art of amplification and absurdity.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
James was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When James Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
James's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Gained national recognition for his impression of President George W. Bush on 'The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson'.
- Portrayed Senator Bernie Sanders extensively on the 2016 'Trump vs. Bernie' comedy tour and in media appearances.
- Was a frequent and influential guest on the popular improv comedy podcast 'Comedy Bang! Bang!'.
- Voiced the character Talking Ben in the long-running 'Talking Tom & Friends' animated franchise.
Did You Know?
He is a graduate of the University of Southern California.
He performed his George W. Bush impression for the president's former press secretary, Dana Perino, on television.
He is of Armenian descent on his father's side.
“My Bernie Sanders impression is just me reading the news earnestly.”
