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Louisville's Larry Elliott
His Lincoln portrayal ranks No. 1
Who does the best portrayal of Abraham Lincoln?
According to judges in the birthplace of the 16th president, the answer is Larry Elliott.
Elliott, a retired Louisville insurance representative who has been portraying Lincoln for six years, won the Lincoln Days Celebration Lincoln Look-a-Likes contest last October.
Some 20-25 “Lincolns” are entered each year in the annual Hodgenville contest and are judged on all traits pertaining to Abraham Lincoln. They’re also given two-three minutes to portray or relate a “Lincoln story or speech.”
It was the first time that Larry has won the contest – he finished second in 2004 - and the second time that his wife, Mary, who portrays Mary Todd Lincoln, was a top finisher in the first lady competition. Mary Elliott took second place in a contest judged on authenticity of costume. She took first place in 2006.
Perhaps it was predestined that Elliott would portray Abraham Lincoln.
– Lincoln and Elliott are similar in size – 6-foot-4 and about 190 pounds;
– Lincoln wore a size 14 shoe as does Elliott;
– the 16th president had four sons – so does Elliott;
– their wives are both named Mary, and
– both are staunch Republicans and strong believers in God and the Bible.
For the past six years, Elliott has spent an increasing amount of time portraying Lincoln at a variety of events and activities. And, in 2006, his wife joined him, assuming the role of Mary Todd Lincoln.
The couple makes some 125 appearances per year and now tours full time following Larry’s 2009 retirement.
Elliott, a Louisville native, grew up as a fan of Lincoln, mostly because of his family roots. Larry’s father was a native of Hodgenville and his family visited there often. And, as a youngster, Larry knew it also was the place of the president’s birth.
Larry now does 10 basic Lincoln programs tailored to different age groups and settings. Mary, as Mary Todd Lincoln, joins him in a 45-minute performance.
Because of his family’s Hodgenville roots, Larry asked a family geneaologist to see if he might be related to Lincoln.
“No,” his Aunt Doris later reported, “none of us are related. But, one of your great-grandmothers - Mary LaRue Enlow - was one of the midwives who delivered Abraham.”
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