Joseph Leonard Stefanelli (born September 11, 1960 in San Francisco)
is an American musician and actor, of Italian descent, who is best
known for performing the voice of John Lennon in the 1994 film Forrest
Gump.Stefanelli arrived into the world of entertainment in 1989, by a
chance meeting through a mutual friend who asked him to sit in on some
jam sessions with Duncan Faure, a former lead singer of the Bay City
Rollers. Duncan had recently been in touch with Ian Mitchell and the
two decided to get a band together and rehash old BCR songs. Duncan
volunteered Joe to play bass, though Joe could only play an acoustic
guitar. In just two weeks, Joe accomplished the bass guitar and went
on tour with the group. This was just the beginning of his life in
music.In 1992, Joe decided to try out for a spot as John Lennon in
Beatles tribute bands throughout the Los Angeles area. Most of the
bands didn't have what Joe was looking for, so he started his own
band, The Mop Tops. In the next 10 years, the Mop Tops toured the
world, played Candlestick Park and Dodger Stadium, and made hundreds
of personal appearances. Based on this experience, Joe was hand-picked
by director Robert Zemeckis to be the voice of John Lennon in Forrest
Gump.
is an American musician and actor, of Italian descent, who is best
known for performing the voice of John Lennon in the 1994 film Forrest
Gump.Stefanelli arrived into the world of entertainment in 1989, by a
chance meeting through a mutual friend who asked him to sit in on some
jam sessions with Duncan Faure, a former lead singer of the Bay City
Rollers. Duncan had recently been in touch with Ian Mitchell and the
two decided to get a band together and rehash old BCR songs. Duncan
volunteered Joe to play bass, though Joe could only play an acoustic
guitar. In just two weeks, Joe accomplished the bass guitar and went
on tour with the group. This was just the beginning of his life in
music.In 1992, Joe decided to try out for a spot as John Lennon in
Beatles tribute bands throughout the Los Angeles area. Most of the
bands didn't have what Joe was looking for, so he started his own
band, The Mop Tops. In the next 10 years, the Mop Tops toured the
world, played Candlestick Park and Dodger Stadium, and made hundreds
of personal appearances. Based on this experience, Joe was hand-picked
by director Robert Zemeckis to be the voice of John Lennon in Forrest
Gump.
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