Entertainer returns home, earns key to city

Debbie Johnson saw her brother's name Saturday on the marquee at the Theatre of the Republic in Conway, watched the people standing in line to get in and, once inside, saw him living his dream in a sold-out performance.

She recalled that when he was about 11 years old, he said, "Debbie Skipper, just you wait and see, you and Conway will see my name in lights one day."

"It was just phenomenal. It was, for him, the greatest event of his life," she said.

It was the first time Richard had performed in Conway since he hitchhiked to Myrtle Beach and bought a one-way ticket to New York in 1979, shortly after graduating from high school. The thrill of appearing in his hometown surpassed the excitement he has felt at any performance throughout his successful career. That includes those at Carnegie Hall, Atlantic City, Las Vegas and other places, including San Francisco where he performed with actress and singer Carol Channing, whom he has become successful at impersonating.

"This was the thrill of a lifetime," Richard Skipper said Tuesday. "Coming back to my hometown, I think, is the biggest thrill I've ever had, and I can't wait to do it again."

Skipper said he has already agreed on a return engagement with Theatre of the Republic next year.

His mother, Wilma Skipper, said she has received many calls since his performance from people telling her how much they enjoyed it. She recalls that, as a small child, Richard would mimic people on television.

"It was like he was obsessed with Judy Garland and 'The Wizard of Oz,'" she said.

Garland was the first person he impersonated. He received his first great reviews portraying a character named Carl Channing, later began impersonating Carol Channing and now performs with her blessings. She has been quoted as saying his impersonation is the first time she has ever been shown with such love, respect and polish.

"He struggled the first few years, but he just kept following his dream," Johnson said.

His Saturday performance was a fund-raiser for the Theatre of the Republic.

After the performance, Richard Skipper was given a key to the city of Conway by Jean Timbes, mayor pro tem.