Northfield Resident Builds Successful Business as Pirate Impersonator

Minnesota may be miles from the salty seas, but Northfield has its very own boisterous buccaneer in Joshua Godfredson.

Godfredson is a professional pirate impersonator, and spends most weekends in character as the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow, who is played by Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.

A self-employed entertainer, Godfredson travels across the Midwest, appearing at private parties, corporate events, festivals, benefits and historical education venues in character as the famous seadog.

So how does one become a full-time pirate impersonator?

“It was something that I fell into,” said Godfredson.

One evening, about eight years ago, Godfredson, who had no previous acting experience, and his then-girlfriend and now-wife, Nicole, were watching the original Pirates film together. Halfway through the movie, Godfredson asked Nicole if she’d like something to eat or drink—not as himself, but as Captain Jack. Neither Godfredson nor Nicole knew it, but that moment was the beginning of something big.

Growing piracy

It started small.

Godfredson dressed as Sparrow for Halloween in 2004 and took first prize in a few costume contests. The following Halloween, he won even more contests, and took home an $850 prize package. 

In 2006, Godfredson attended the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in costume as Sparrow and was hired by a Burnsville bar owner to host his venue’s Halloween event.

From there, it snowballed.

Godfredson received more offers. The same year, he began hosting a Halloween event at his Northfield home called the Buchanan Buccaneers, transforming parts of his house from the Pirates films.

The first year he mounted the event, 37 guests attended. Last Halloween, it .

Godfredson now books jobs almost every weekend, year-round.

With the constant work, last year he decided to quit his day job driving a forklift in a warehouse, a position in which he had long felt stuck.

“Jack is sort of a gateway,” said Godfredson. “I’ve expanded myself in ways I never would’ve thought before.”

Working weekends has given Godfredson the opportunity to pursue other interests and chase dreams long unfulfilled. He now spends his weeks developing various business and invention ideas.

“His creativity went through the roof,” said Nicole.

But there’s another, very important reason why Godfredson transformed his swashbuckling hobby into a career.

“Smiles.”

Godfredson said that seeing his audiences happy is the most rewarding aspect of his adventures in pirating.

“It’s the best thing in the world,” said Godfredson. “It’s smiles all day long.”

WANT MORE OF GODFREDSON'S MINNESOTA CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW?

• Minnesota's Captain Jack Sparrow website
• Minnesota's Captain Jack Sparrow on Facebook