Michael Leslie Winslow (born September 6, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, and beatboxer billed as The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects for his ability to make realistic sounds using only his voice. He is best known for his roles in all seven Police Academy films as Larvell Jones. He has also appeared in: Spaceballs, Cheech and Chong's Next Movie, Nice Dreams, The Love Boat, and commercials for Cadbury and GEICO.
Early life Winslow was born in Spokane, Washington, the son of Verdie and Robert Winslow. He grew up at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, and later attended the Lisa Maile School of Acting, Modeling and Imaging.
According to his own account, Winslow had few friends growing up. To pass time, he would imitate the sounds of engines, animals, flatulence, or anything that made noise. Following high school and college, he performed in nightclubs and theaters, where his sound imitation skills won him positive appraisal and enough money to move to and perform his act in Hollywood.
Career His first television appearance was on The Gong Show, in which he squeezed in sound-alikes of Benji the movie dog, Star Trek, as a character named Lee on The White Shadow, and Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze".The Gong Show, video tape recorded June 3, 1978 He is best known for his role as Larvell Jones in the Police Academy series of movies and TV shows. He was cast in the role after he was seen opening for Count Basie.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: In 1985, Island Records released a 12-inch (30.5-cm) disc of Michael Winslow entitled "I Am My Own Walkman". The recording peaked at number 60 in Australia.
In 1986, Winslow presented the Best Sound Effects Editing Oscar to Charles L. Campbell and Robert Rutledge for their work on Back to the Future. During 1986, he played the role of Spencer, the assistant cruise director on the ninth and final season of The Love Boat.
In 1987, Winslow appeared as a radar operator in the movie Spaceballs, in which he performs all the sound effects himself during one scene. Mel Brooks (who wrote, directed, produced and co-starred in the film) stated that, by doing so, Winslow saved the film money. Winslow is also a motivational speaker. Since the fall of 2008, Winslow has hosted a motion-picture television series called Way Back Wednesday with Winslow on the cable superstation WGN America, which features movies mostly released in the 1980s. He continues to perform stand-up comedy around the globe.
Michael Winslow debuted his own iPhone and iPod Touch applications in 2010, bringing his sound effects and comedy to a mobile platform. ThatsKungFu generates Winslow's kung fu fighting sounds when the device is swung in a fighting motion. NoizeyMan, billed as the "World's Noiziest App", contains video, ringtones, sound effects and mini games, all created by Winslow.
In 2011, Winslow worked with Orlando, Florida-based game development studio Phyken Media on a mobile game for iOS and Android platforms entitled Wizard Ops Chapter 1, providing all the sound effects for the game. He also lent his voice on Wizard Ops Tactics, a turn-based tactical game and spiritual successor to the previous game.
He was also featured in a commercial for GEICO Insurance during their "we hired a celebrity" advertising campaign.
In 2020, Winslow guest-starred on the Dropout.tv show Game Changer as a substitute for Zac Oyama. He won episode 10 of season three, which aired on January 22, 2021.
In 2021, Winslow auditioned for the 16th season of America's Got Talent. Following the airing of his audition, he had a guest appearance on the Talent Recap Show where he showed viewers how to make some of his most signature noises. Winslow was eliminated during the semifinals.
In 2022, Winslow was heavily featured in a videogamedunkey YouTube video entitled "Video Game Sound".
Michael Winslow contributed voice-over, music, and sound effects to the animated short "Fleetwood Mac & Cheese," which was animated by Brandon Kosters, Matthew Maxwell, and Rob Steinberg. The short was released in 2025.
Filmography Year Title Role 1980 Cheech & Chong's Next Movie Welfare Comedian 1981 Underground Aces Nate Nice Dreams Superman Nut Space Stars Plutem (voice) 1982 Tag: The Assassination Game Gowdy Heidi's Song Mountain (voice) 1984 Police Academy Cadet Larvell Jones Alphabet City Lippy Gremlins Mogwai / Gremlins (voice) Grandview, U.S.A. Spencer 1985 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment Officer Larvell Jones Starchaser: The Legend of Orin Voice 1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training Sgt. Larvell Jones 1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Sgt. Larvell Jones Spaceballs Radar Technician Walker 1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach Sgt. Larvell Jones Starke Zeiten Mike Buy & Cell Sly Ronny 1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Sgt. Larvell Jones Think Big Hap 1990 New Kids on the Block Voice Far Out Man Airport Cop Going Under Reporter 1993 Extralarge Dumas 1994 Police Academy: Mission to Moscow Sgt. Larvell Jones 1995 Be Cool about Fire Safety Himself 1997–98 Police Academy: The Series Sgt. Larvell Jones 1999 Lycanthrope Lee DavisMichael Winslow Live Himself The Blur of Insanity Horner's Friend 2 2000 He Outta Be Committed Jeremy 2001 The Trumpet of the Swan Chief (voice) 2002 The Biggest Fan Officer Man 2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Pedestrian (voice) 2005 Lenny the Wonder Dog John Wyndham 2006 Robot Chicken Sgt. Larvell Jones 2008 The Great Buck Howard Himself Redirecting Eddie Vaughn 2009 RoboDoc Dr. Murphy 2010 The History of the Typewriter recited by Michael Winslow Himself Tosh.0 2013 Blunt Movie Coach Al Jefferson Gingerclown Stomachcrumble Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Himself 2015 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! Brian Jonesy Jones Lavalantula Marty The Jack and Triumph Show Himself 2016 Enter the Fist and the Golden Fleece The Argonaut Characterz Police Detective 2 Lava 2 Lantula Marty Renaissance Man Mike Hospital Arrest Judge Collaway 2017 Killing Hasselhoff Himself 2020 Game Changer A Wrestling Christmas Miracle Judge Collaway 2021 America's Got Talent (Season 16) Himself Todd Jake 2022 Video Game Sound Himself
References
External links
Agency profile
Interview with Heeb Magazine, August 2009 Animation inspired by Winslow's Vocal Music and Vocal Effects