Funny man shows talent for teaching

By Danielle Galvin
AUSTRALIA’S Got Talent contestant Ben Price is a man of many personalities.
The comedic impressionist and Rowville funny man took a step back in time last week to visit the teachers he used to impersonate.
Despite his busy schedule and the semi-finals of the show coming up, Ben visited the staff and kids at Maranatha Christian School in Endeavour Hills.
He graduated in 1993, but left quite an impression on the teaching staff and the students.
The kids were more interested in him taking off the character of Peter Griffin from the American cartoon Family Guy.
“The kids wanted me to do Homer Simpson too. I don’t know how they know who Peter Griffin is, they know too much,” he joked.
Vernon Clark, the principal of the Christian school, taught Ben English in Years 11 and 12.
“He was a very pleasant student, always taking the mickey out of teachers. But it was all in good spirit and he was a popular student,” Mr Clark said.
It may not come as a surprise to many that Ben has always had a penchant for acting.
In Year 12 drama, Ben wrote a play about an old man who had fought in World War II.
He researched by talking to Diggers at RSLs and nursing homes.
“I had to cry on stage so I put Vicks vapor rub on a handkerchief and held it near my eyes. Everyone thought I was very genuine,” he joked.
Ben impersonates a long list of people, from politicians to comedians and characters from television shows.
One of his favourite people to impersonate was past American president George W. Bush, and Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.
“I enjoy taking off John Cleese. I met him two years ago when he came to Australia and got to show him a bit of my stuff. But I like impersonating Arnie (Schwarzenegger) and John So as well,” he said.
The comedian says his gigs are always clean without any swearing.
“I know that parents are impressed with the fact that there’s no swearing. You don’t need it to be funny,” he said.
It was 10 years ago that Ben decided to move on from his sales job and take a leap of faith.
“I’ve never looked back,” he said.
Since then, Ben has worked with Grubby and Dee Dee on Gold 104.3 FM and still enjoys stand-up gigs at comedy clubs in Melbourne.
He has come a long way since the age of 13, when he coyly admits that he had a crush on judge Danni Minogue.
“She’s really little in real life! The Home and Away poster that was on my wall when I was 13 is gone,” he jokes.
Ben will be competing in the semi-finals, to be aired on July 12 on Seven Digital.