Church Leader Look Alikes (check back for updates)

Were they separated at birth?

Nov 10th, 2009 | By Skye Jethani | Category: Church, Culture, Features

It all started with an email from my colleague Drew Dyck asking if I had a book by Dave Ferguson. He side commented: have you ever noticed that he looks like Edward Norton? I hadn’t. Then we started thinking about other pastoral look-a-likes.

The emails went back and forth. I’ve included some of my favorites below. There were other less complementary ones that we shall leave behind. There are a few that have stumped me. For example, one would think that figures as recognizable as Rob Bell or Shane Claiborne would be easy to match. But so far I’ve had no luck. Have you got additional submissions? I have no doubt that there are more.

Below are twelve that we’ve matched so far. Feel free to add to the nonsense. (**UPDATE** More church leaders are being reunited with their lost twins. Check below.)

Kelsey Grammer and Shane Hipps

George W. Bush and Joel Hunter

Tom Brokow and Will Willimon

Edward Norton and Dave Ferguson

Richard Schiff and N.T. Wright

Tim Allen and Joel Osteen

Patrick Stewart and Tim Keller


Paul McCartney and Alistair Begg

Bob’s Big Boy and Mark Driscoll

Brian Setzer and Dan Kimball

Jimmy Stewart and Andy Stanley

Bob Ross and Philip Yancey

Adam Lambert and Steven Furtick (thanks, Tim Wilson)

Woody Allen and Shane Claiborne

Jar Jar Binks and Shane Claiborne (Thanks, Dan and Josh)

Santa Claus and Eugene Peterson

Dustin Hoffman and John Piper (Thanks Dan and Tyler)

Dolph Lundgren and Ed Young Jr. (Thanks, Sam)

Sam Neill and David Fitch (Thanks, Chaka)

John Ritter and Mel Lawrenz

Lou Costello and Donald Miller

John Travolta and Skye Jethani (Touché! Thanks, Chad Estes)

Jim Wallis and …

Chester Bennington and Rob Bell (thanks, Adam)





125 comments
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  1. Tremendous! Bravo! I’ll try to think of more! This needs to get up on Out of Ur. :-)

  2. I think Rob Bell looks like the guy from the Verizon commercials (”Can you hear me now?”)

  3. This is funny. Great post. :)

  4. Hilarious! Nicely done!

  5. Those are hilarious. The Osteen/Allen connection is scary.

  6. I rarely laugh out loud. I did here. Thanks for helping me scare the dog.

  7. David Fitch (Reclaiming the Mission) http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/about-david-fitch/
    and
    Jack Nicholson http://img2.allposters.com/images/54/039_38505.jpg

  8. Steven Furtick has to have a look a like. Maybe Adam Lambert? though there has to be one better.

  9. The one with Joel Osteen and Tim the tool man Taylor scary how close they look alike.

  10. Very funny! Keep the look-a-likes coming!

  11. This is awesome. So funny. Not sure I can think of any to add, but I’ll keep my eyes open. My favorite is the Joel Osteen/Tim Allen one. Totally think that connection makes sense. ha ha

  12. nice…i think the old Ray Boltz looks like Nacho Libre.

  13. Actually Joba Chamberlin of the Yankees looks like Driscoll.

  14. I think Matt Ryan (Falcon’s quarterback) looks more like Andy Stanley then Jimmy Stewart. Especially his profile picture that they show during the game.

  15. wow. just wow. well done.

  16. check out Bill Hybels (Willow Creek) and Louis Vanstel (DWTS)

  17. http://inetradio.moody.edu/pictures/Bill%20Hybels2.jpg

    van Amstel…got the name wrong

    http://www.buddytv.com/articles/dancing-with-the-stars/images/louis-van-amstel.jpg

  18. These are great. Thanks for the amusement. A couple of more that I thought of:

    A young Michael Caine with black framed glasses is a good match with Rob Bell AND I think Jimmy Smits and Erwin McManus resemble each other.

  19. This just made my day. Oh, I laughed.

  20. I found the match for Skye…
    http://captainestes.blogspot.com/2009/11/church-leader-look-alikes_10.html

  21. Rob Bell = Buddy Holly
    http://thesilverplatter.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/oooh-eee-oooh-i-look-just-like-buddy-holly/

  22. Now we can have our own fun!
    http://celebrity.myheritage.com/face-recognition

  23. Jason Alexander and Scot McKnight?

    http://www.insidesocal.com/outinhollywood/,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,jasalex.jpg
    http://www.briercrest.ca/alumni/images/ScotMcKnight.jpg

  24. Came upon this via someone’s twitter post. Hilarious! EXCEPT….I’m shocked that you haven’t seen the amazing resemblance between Ed Young and Lurch (see below).

    http://www.scifiupdates.com/home/images/stories/TV/Addams_Family/Lurch_009.jpg
    http://www.chalcedon.edu/blog/uploaded_images/ed-welcome2-790584.jpg

  25. i’ve always thought Erwin McManus looks like Jeff Goldblum!
    http://tinyurl.com/yge9tno
    http://img.youtube.com/vi/voHi1Mv_TtA/0.jpg
    http://literalminded.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/jeff-goldblum.jpg

  26. Begg/McCartney - Great one, considering he is such a huge Beatles fan!

  27. John Piper looks a little like Dustin Hoffman.

  28. John Piper and Dustin Hoffman

  29. what about mark driscoll and joba chamberlin?

  30. Hilarious - Bob Ross and Philip Yancey! It’s scary. Driscoll had the hair flip just like Bob!

  31. Rick Warren
    http://www.pacificcouncil.org/e-newsletter/rick%20warren.jpg

    Chuck Low (Morrie from Goodfellas)
    http://www.netreach.net/~bundyman/299morrie.jpg

  32. […] Leader Look Alikes Posted on November 11, 2009 by Stephen Smuts This is really funny… Were they separated at […]

  33. Ray Ortlund (Jr) and the Rev Camden from TV’s 7th Heaven.

  34. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30105059&id=1424995063&op=1&view=global&subj=1161290552
    Todd Wilson (needs cropping)
    and
    George Castanza
    http://www.seinfeld-fan.net/pictures/george/george_costanza029.jpg

  35. Rob Bell = annoying kid from the Polar Express.

    Check it out: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm739809280/tt0338348

  36. Dave Ramsey and Brian McLaren - photographic evidence here:

    http://michaelkrahn.com/blog/2009/11/02/brian-mclaren-dave-ramsey-scandal-revealed/

  37. These are great! Some of them I would believe I was looking at the same person if I didn’t know better.

  38. I’m pretty sure that Rob Bell and Noah Bennett from the NBC show “Heroes” are long lost brothers. Jack Coleman is the actor that plays Bennett. Classic!

  39. Have you considered John Woodall (Staff Pastor @ North Point Community Church) and Alec Baldwin?

  40. […] nice look-a-likes […]

  41. Jeff Noblit looks like Vincent D’Onofrio (Law & Order Criminal Intent)

    Driscoll looks like Roger Clemens

  42. Patrick Stewart does resemble Tim Keller, but I think Harry Smith is a bit closer.

    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0808425/

    Anyone agree?

  43. This was really funny! Some of these resemblances are scary!

  44. Piper looks a lot more like Larry David.

    http://onemorethan10.blogspot.com/2007/12/desiring-your-enthusiasm.html

  45. I always thought Joel Osteen looked like Josh Groban.

  46. I’ve always thought that Driscoll looked kinda like Joe Rogan from UFC.

  47. How about Darrin Patrick from The Journey Church and Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters?

  48. I think Sam Neill is a better match for David Fitch.

    http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2895026944/nm0000554

    http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/about-david-fitch/

  49. Mark Driscoll actually looks just like Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlin. Google it, it is freaky.

  50. C. Michael Patton of Reclaiming the Mind Ministries (Parchment and Pen, The Theology Program, etc.)
    and
    Cary Elwes

  51. You could probably add a picture of C. J. Mahaney next to Patrick Stewart and Tim Keller.

  52. Mark Driscoll should be paired with Liev Schreiber’s character (Sabretooth) in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” I sat through half the movie wondering why the actor looked so familiar… :P

  53. How about Francis Chan and Roger Yuan (villain in “Shanghai Noon”)?

  54. Yes! I’ve thought Piper and Hoffman for years. Glad to get some confirmation there.

    And C.J. Mahaney could give Keller a run for his money in the Stewart look alike…

  55. Some of you all have a little too much time but this was great. How aboutsome modern theologians ie Moler Dockery and George

  56. I think you would have a better look alike w Patrick Stewart and CJ Mahaney. But these are good.

  57. CJ Mahaney & Freddy Kruger?

  58. Doogie Howser and Kirk Cameron.

  59. That picture of David Fitch reminds me more of Kiefer Sutherland than Sam Niell

  60. How about Rob Bell and the lead singer from Linkin Park?

  61. Hi Skye,

    No need to make this comment live on your blog.

    My name is Bryan DeWire and I work at Desiring God. I wanted to send you pictures of Jon Bloom (our Executive Director) and Brad Childress (coach of Minnesota Vikings). Definite lookalikes. :)

    Would you be willing to give me your email address? I can’t paste the pictures into this comment box.

    Thanks!

    Bryan

  62. For Wallis, easy. Senator Chris Dodd.

  63. Jim Wallis looks like Brian Cox

    http://www.nndb.com/people/712/000072496/cox-sm.jpg

  64. Rainn Wilson and Rob Bell as per this facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2247843296

  65. Rob Bell and Janeane Garofalo

    Vicky, Irwin McManus does look a little like Jeff Goldblum, and when I saw him speak in person there’s a lot of the same mannerisms too!

  66. I think Rob Bell kinda looks like Gary Sinise from CSI New York. Check out this pic…

    http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/5800000/Gary-and-Moira-gary-sinise-5849947-391-598.jpg

  67. This. was. STUPENDOUS! BRAVO.

  68. How bout Perry Noble and Dwight Schrute?

    http://innovatechurch.us/site/wp-content/uploads/7perry.jpg
    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCDKMxrMd0/SS2tmAwkx_I/AAAAAAAAAGc/Hss8g5saGVo/s400/DwightBobblehead.jpg

  69. Rob Bell totally equals Steve Zahn or Michael Gellman from Regis and Kelly!!!

  70. Wallis and William Shatner

  71. Rob Bell favors Gelman from Live with Regis and Kelly

  72. Matt Chandler and Josh Hartnet

  73. I agree with someone who posted earlier and I have thought the same for some time…ROb Bell and this guy…

    http://www.tv.com/jack-coleman/person/5802/viewer.html?flag=&i=69&gri=5802&grti=104&tag=main;show_photo_stream

  74. I think Jim Wallis looks like DeForest Kelley, the doctor from the old Star Trek!

  75. Rob Bell and Elijah Wood
    http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/blog/elijah%20wood.jpg

  76. Rob Bell and Drew Carry

  77. Where is Bill Butterworth look alike?
    God is amazing

  78. Tim Keller = Jame Carville,

  79. These are Hilarious. I bet I could come up with at least a couple more. . . I’ll be back.

  80. dan kimball and the drummer from green day (only this album though)

    rob bell and jack coleman from heroes.

    http://micahmcmillan.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/rob-bell-meet-the-man-with-the-horn-rimmed-glasses/

  81. John ortberg and Clint Eastwood. Anyone? Anyone?

  82. This is a jolly good post! My tuppence:

    Jim Wallis and Alan Hale Jr. (the skipper from Gilligan’s Island)
    http://www.skyejethani.com/church-leader-look-alikes/490/

  83. oops. here it is of Alan Hale Jr.:

    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nndb.com/people/473/000029386/alan-hale.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nndb.com/people/473/000029386/&usg=__yL8S8HuUKl7TFWUK4jSFyMpBit4=&h=243&w=257&sz=18&hl=en&start=10&um=1&tbnid=PkrihOkc7lHagM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=112&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dalan%2Bhale%2Bjr%2Bactor%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

  84. I would also vote for Jim Wallis and William Shatner. Maybe try this picture of Shatner?

    http://justastar.com/William-Shatner/

  85. Your picture of Driscoll looks like Vincent D’Onofrio (Goran) from Law and Order.

  86. For Rob Bell… maybe “Ugly Betty”?

  87. FANTASTIC!!!!

  88. I think that Rob Bell looks similar to Drew Carey (http://daveintexas.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/drew-carey.gif)

  89. CJ Mahaney and Yul Brynner (or Mr. Clean)

  90. […] This is a very creative post! […]

  91. No one knows the Canadian guy, but here’s one on John Piper:
    http://byzantinecalvinist.blogspot.com/2009/11/baptist-preachers-related.html

  92. Jim Wallis … William Shatner? http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/ic/blogs/channelsurfing/uploaded_images/Shat-755529.jpg

  93. Chip Ingram and Mel Gibson???

  94. Francis Chan and Hines Ward!

    Ward - http://www.wqed.org/mag/features/0105/img/hinesward.jpg

    Chan - http://churchleadergazette.com/clg/images/francis-chan.jpg

  95. Jake Mason and Brad Pitt. It’s uncanny!

  96. Jim Wallis and Jim Bakker (formerly of PTL)

  97. Paul McCartney and Alistair Begg really look alike.

    Tim Allen and Joel Osteen, too.

  98. […] Church Leader Look Alikes […]

  99. […] Church Leader Look Alikes (some of these are a little disconcerting) […]

  100. Rick Warren and The Office creator, Ricky Gervais
    http://paulwilkinson.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/separated-at-birth/

  101. skye - i have had a least 100 people tell me i need to share my pic with you. i am a dead ringer for scott van pelt of ESPN. i will send you a pic if you like.
    jim

  102. I love this. I’ve always thought Don Miller looked like Jeremy Piven’s younger, heftier brother. I know a few people that think Joel Hunter resembles Steve Martin.

  103. Someone already said it but I am going to say it again. Jim Wallis and William Shatner. Its Amazing! This was hilarious by the way.

  104. Aaaaaaaaand maybe Scot McKnight and Karl Rove?

  105. How ’bout Steven Furtick and Ben Stiller, or Ed Young Jr and Peter Weller (Robocop)?

  106. got three up on my blog:

    john spong/chris cooper
    rowan williams/dumbledore
    dietrich bonhoeffer/philip seymour hoffman

    i know they’re more theologians than church leaders, but still!!!

    http://theo-blogy.blogspot.com/2009/11/look-alikes.html

  107. I want to submit a look-a-like. How do I do it?

  108. My wife has always thought Driscoll looks like George Duran from Ham on the Street
    http://www.viajesyvinos.com/George_Duran_star%20bis.jpg

  109. Jim Wallis and Norman Schwarzkopf?

  110. Kelsey Grammer and Bill Hybels! Often when I watch Frasier, I think he’s a spittin image of Bill Hybels:
    for example:
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20080602/people-kelsey-grammer/images/49a347e2-dae4-46e0-903d-12af2469321a.jpg
    http://voppa.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/bill_hybels.jpg

  111. that.. so great.. as alikes

  112. Rob Bell looks like Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson)!

    http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v82/195/98/56902899/n56902899_30895487_8332.jpg

  113. Try William Shatner and Jim Wallis
    http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/ic/blogs/channelsurfing/uploaded_images/Shat-755529.jpg

  114. […] blogul lui Skye Jethani (autorul cartii THE DIVINE COMMODITY -DISCOVERING A FAITH BEYOND CONSUMER CHRISTIANITY) am gasit […]

  115. […] [22] Church leader/celebrity look alikes. Hilarious. […]

  116. i’ve always thought john madden and jerry falwell looked eerily similar. if it weren’t for sunday evening service at thomas road coinciding with sundy night football, i might have thought they were the same person.

    victor: rainn wilson and rob bell = SPOT ON. awesome.

  117. Jim Wallis looks like a younger Ernest Borgnine

  118. What does it say that Joel Osteen, circa 2006, looks like Tim Allen, circa 1989 — down to the mullet?

  119. Gabe Lyons and Jon Foreman

  120. Craig Groeschel http://innovativeministryleader.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/craig-groeschel-picture-for-blog-tour.jpg & Tom Cruise? http://img.listal.com/image/158210/600full-tom-cruise.jpg

  121. Funny. But in a side note, it’s sad that there are no women represented. Guess it just reflects the continued lack of women recognized in leadership in the Evangelical world….

  122. ed young and lurch - hilarious. I always thought the same thing about ed norton and jon ferguson. so funny.

  123. Though I can’t find a good picture (with the hair just right), I say Dana Carvey (comedian) and Michael Horton (prof @ Westminster in CA).

  124. I have another one, Sam waterson and Doctor D. James Kennedy

  125. […] Oh Yeah, HEAD HERE! […]

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