Former Weymouth Business Owner Dead Ringer For Rodney Dangerfield

For former Weymouth business owner Bill Peterson, just being himself is not an option.

Peterson not only has the look, but he has the voice of one of America’s  funniest comedians.

The former owner of Billy Buds in North Weymouth has not just run successful night clubs, pubs and restaurants around the South Shore, but he also has 35 years under his belt of looking, sounding, and acting just like comedian Rodney Dangerfield.

Peterson is now a tribute artist of Dangerfield. Peterson is Dangerfield's perfect double in all ways, except for one aspect… Peterson does get respect. In all of his 35 years of impersonating Dangerfield, he has never had a complaint.

“The best thing is I make people laugh,” he said.  “They really laugh.”

The Hingham resident, who was raised in Quincy, performs  his Dangerfield impressions at corporate events, birthday parties, golf tournaments, weddings, private parties, and is popular amongst the older crowds at senior centers. 

Peterson claims that he is an impersonator and not a comic.  He performs an average of 35-50 shows a year, all across the country and has over 30 agents throughout the country who organize shows for him. He takes his acts to Las Vegas, Foxwoods, Atlantic City, the senior circuit in Florida, and as far away as the US Navy Base in Guam. Locally, he has performed at Tosca’s, the South Shore Country Club and at the Congregational Church.

“I do it so well that Rodney himself has sent me a picture saying, ‘You do me good enough to start getting no respect,’" Peterson said.

When Dangerfield was still living, Peterson met the comedian at a show at Foxwoods and he impressed Dangerfield and his wife, Joan.  She was so fascinated by how identical Peterson’s appearance and natural voice are to Dangerfield’s that she found it to be spooky.

“There are a few other ‘Rodney’’s around,” Peterson said.  “They may look a little like him or they may sound a little  like him, but they don’t do it like I do.”

Peterson has always looked and sounded like Dangerfield and he officially started his Dangerfield impersonator career over 35 years ago when he owned a night club in Hull called “Star Searches. “

While one of the bands performing at the club had taken a break, Peterson got up on stage and started doing his best Rodney impressions, and the crowd loved it. He never meant to make a career out of it, but an agent in the crowd that night noticed him, and told him he needed to share his talents.

Since then Peterson has made a living off being Dangerfield and his one-hour shows are very popular. Since the actors’ death in 2004, business for Peterson has been better as many Americans still love Dangerfield’s comical style.

“When Rodney passed I wanted to keep his name alive,” Peterson  said. “I used to impersonate him, now I pay tribute to him.”

Peterson has had the lead role in the 2001 independent film, “Mr. Las Vegas,” and in 2002 has appeared on  the TV show Thirty Seconds Of Fame. The following year he was voted number one in comedy by judges at the USA world showcase at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Peterson was voted as the number one lookalike, numerous times at Rodney Dangerfield lookalike contests . Peterson was  also honored for outstanding performance in contemporary comedy  and won “Best in Comedy” and “Most Professional Impersonator” awards at The Reel Awards in 2010.

Besides doing impersonations, Peterson has also managed and owned the former North Weymouth restaurant and pub, Billy Buds from 1972-2000. He was also the owner of the Bull and Oyster restaurant in Boston and owned several restaurants in Quincy, all of which he has since sold.

Peterson has made an impact on the South Shore but he still has one dream left on his bucket list.  He wants to perform in the opening act of the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, something he said he would do for free. Until that day comes, he won’t stop being Rodney.

To hire Peterson for a birthday party or private function, you can contact him at http://www.bbrodney.com.