1981 Winner: Tom Feeney
With Ernest Hemingway’s brother, Leicester, as a judge, Tom Feeney became the historic first winner of the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. The annual competition began in 1981 at its birthplace―Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West―where Ernest himself was known to down a drink or three during his Key West years. With little advance publicity for the […]
1982 Winner: Richard Parrish
A 51-year-old liquor salesman from Delray Beach, Florida, Richard “Dick” Parrish took top honors at the second annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest in 1982. “He was a real nice guy who took a broad interest in the entire Hemingway Days Festival,” recalled Michael Whalton, the Sloppy Joe’s manager who emceed the event. Unlike some contenders, Dick […]
1983 Winner: Leo Rost
Another Florida resident, Leo Rost, claimed Papa laurels in the third year of the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. Leo favored Hemingway in more ways than just looks. A published playwright, he also had a winning way with words. “Leo worked closely with a group out of London,” said Sloppy Joe’s Michael Whalton, “and he had a […]
1984 Winner: Bill Young
Bill passed away in January, 2010 but will always be remembered as the ultimate fan of all things Hemingway. Bill and his lovely wife, Judy, have traveled the world in Hemingway’s footsteps. From trips to Oak Park, Illinois, the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, to Spain for the Running of the Bulls, to Ketchum, Idaho and […]
1985 Winner: Michael Dallette
You know the difference between a barber and a hair stylist?” asks Michael Dallett, Papa 1985. “$25,” he answers with a laugh.The observation arrives as Michael describes the widely varying personalities, professions, and lifestyles of those who have won the top prize in the Hemingway Look-Alike contest. “You know, all the Hemingway Look-Alikes are all […]
1986 Winner: Fred Johnson
Some wannabes take part in the Hemingway Look-Alike contest so they can win and fly like eagles. Fred Johnson entered it as a lark. Born, raised, and still residing in Dade City, Florida, Fred frequently visited the Keys for its pristine diving spots. Down for lobster diving in 1985, Fred and his wife, Jean, took […]
1987 Winner: Jack Waterbury
Jack Waterbury has the best of three worlds. He summers in Maine. He winters in Key West. And he’s one of the fortunate few bearded boys who can call himself Papa for the rest of his life. Add to all that, he has a way with making a lasting impression on women. Praised a beautiful […]
1988 Winner: Tom Cosselman
Just when an intriguing mystery would thicken the plot, along comes our hero, Tom Cosselman, riding to the rescue like a Tonto-deprived Lone Ranger. Actually , sailing to the rescue would be more likely for the man whose life and legacy provide scant details. The combined investigative expertise of Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, and Boston […]
1989 Winner: Richard Royston
Richard Royston could write the nation’s newest fad diet book: “The Hemingway Look-Alike Weight Loss Program: How to Lose 20 Papa Pounds in 24 Hours.” After making it to the final five qualifiers in the 1988 event, his first attempt, Richard became a quick study. “Everybody was all dressed up in different costumes. I had […]
1990 Winner: Fred Burnham
Reacting to a challenge from his wife, Fred Burnham of Sarasota, Florida, first entered the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest in 1988. “I went down with a friend who was in the contest. It was just my second time in Key West. I didn’t even have a beard, but I got caught up in the whole Hemingway […]