In recent times the world has come to know Reggie Brown as the nation’s leading Barack Obama impressionist, but his story begins long before his presidential opportunity presented itself.

In the past year, Reggie has made a career fusing his genetic likeness and creative talents into portraying President Barack Obama.

Within 48-hours of premiering his first attempt of the impression on YouTube, an international media buzz began. Appearing on the covers of magazines and filling the pages of countless newspapers, blogs, and web articles was only the beginning.  Countless news stations, morning talk shows, and special segments include NBC, CNN, TeleMundo, Inside Edition, KTLA, ABC, WGN, FOX News and Good Day Australia.

The second of 5 children, Reggie was born in Maywood, Illinois at Loyola Hospital on September 28th, 1980. Raised in the working class neighborhood of Westlawn, surrounding Chicago’s Midway airport, Brown was immersed in Chicago culture.  

Brought up by a family of musicians, artists, and performers overflowing with artistic talents, Reggie had no choice but to absorb the energies like a sponge. His Grandfather, Roman Zabicki, was a photographer and graphic artist for the Chicago Herald American newspaper, processed Vmail on the front lines of WWII, and served as a graphic artist for the Chicago Police Department. “Reggie is rarely seen without one of his cameras on him, capturing memories that will last lifetimes,” said his brother Lewis.

His mother, Jane Brown, a 32-year veteran of the USPS, worked as a fashion and print model and passed on not only her stunning looks, but even more importantly her hard work ethic onto her son.

With a soaring imagination, Brown began expressing his creativity at an early age. In 1985, at the tender at of five, Brown performed  on stage for the first time playing Dopey in the Harold Washington College production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Brown attended St. Scholastica elementary school and would find himself spending most of his spare time in the library. Always volunteering to read selections at school masses, Brown found enjoyment in speaking before crowds. In the early 1990’s Reggie’s dad, Lawrence Brown, was diagnosed with Leukemia. The many trips to and from the hospital, the overnight stays, and caring for his family and ailing dad became routine.

With his responsibilities growing, Brown found himself maturing at an early age. In the winter of 1993, Mr. Brown was laid to rest. “I found myself missing out on what people call ‘normal’ teenage experiences but looking back, those tough times really made our family stronger, we had to be. I give my mom so much credit for raising the five of us on her own,” Brown said.

Brown’s uncle Roman Zabicki II, gave him his first drum kit at the age of 13 which allowed him to positively express himself through music.  Brown went on to join several high school bands and still enjoys playing whenever possible.

In high school, Brown and his friends became movie fanatics. “We would stay up all night drinking Jolt Cola, watching movies, practicing impressions of the characters, and filming short segments on our camcorders. I always loved to do the voices,” Brown stated.

In 1998, Brown began his collegiate studies at The University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana studying under an undeclared major in the college of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

A year later, Brown attended an open call with friend Dan Blagaich at Elite Models Chicago and was taken on under the direction of David Love and Eva Jarolim.

After touring the country as a professional model, lending his voice as an emcee at Galleria Marchetti and House of Blues Chicago, and winning an Emmy as a member of the NBC5 Street Team, Reggie Brown got the break he’d been waiting for - Barack Obama became the President of the United States, changing the course of Reggie’s career.