The Daily Jaws 50th anniversary interview series continues with actor, comedian, and master impressionist Jim Meskimen. Known as “the man of a thousand voices,” Jim sits down with Ross Williams to share his own voice—and his love for Jaws.
From an early brush with sharks on Happy Days (yes, the infamous “jump the shark” episode was Jim’s first TV job) to seeing Jaws in the cinema as a 15-year-old, Jim recalls the seismic impact of Spielberg’s masterpiece. He remembers the frenzy around its box office success, the way the film gripped audiences, and how it even shaped his teenage friendships—trading lines from Quint’s speech in biology class to stave off boredom.
Jim reflects on dressing as Quint for Halloween, the film’s moral core, and the unforgettable Indianapolis speech, which he describes as the moment that expanded Jaws from thriller into something much deeper. He also pays tribute to Robert Shaw’s magnetism, calling Quint “the guy to be in that movie.”
And just when Jim thought it was safe to sit down for a podcast, a surprise guest stops by to lay down the law.
This conversation is packed with warmth, humour, and a few uncanny impressions - imagine Liam Neeson, Christopher Walken, Robin Williams, and Tommy Lee Jones all auditioning for Quint. Jim delivers it all.
Jaws may be 50 years old, but as Jim says, its legacy lies in how it brought people together in cinemas across the world, creating a shared thrill that still resonates today.
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In proud support of:
Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS)
Tourettes Foundation of America