Per Wikipedia:
Doppelgänger
In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger or doppelgaenger (/ˈdɒp(ə)lˌɡɛŋə/ or /-ˌɡæŋə/; German: [ˈdɔpəlˌɡɛŋɐ] (
listen), literally "double-goer") is a look-alike or double of a living person, sometimes portrayed as a paranormal phenomenon, and in some traditions as a harbinger of bad luck. The word doppelgänger is often used in a more general sense to describe any person who physically or behaviorally resembles another person.I love the term Doppleblobber better as it implies playfulness and silliness. I'm not sure if I can remember the first time I encountered a Doppleblobber, but I when I was in my very early 20's I met a woman who is the spitting image of Dolly Parton. We are now friends and we also share the same birthday. It truly is uncanny how much she looks like Dolly. Of course, she is gorgeous!
One time I was in a nightclub and met a young man who I swore was James Spader. He eventually showed me his drivers' license to convince me he was not Mr. Spader. I still didn't believe him. And I'm not saying alcohol was not involved.
Through the years, as I have moved across the country, I met people in my new city that resembled the same people from the city/cities I previously lived in. They typically showed up in the workplace since that is where I spent the majority of my time in those days. One woman physically and personality matched my sister, and their birthdays are 2 days apart. Another co-worker not only shared my brother's name, but when I heard his laugh I could have sworn it was my brother! Their personalities were also similar. I also used to work with several other men that bore a striking resemblance to celebrities...U2's Edge, Sammy Hagar, one that looked so much like John Lennon that the first time I saw him tears came to my eyes and another that looked like Colin Farrell-accent included! I have a friend that reminds me of Maggie Siff and a I have another friend whose son always reminds me of Joseph Gordon Levitt.
Back in 1985, I went to school with a young man that not only was a Cancer, but really looked like Tom Cruise. Dreamy! (remember, this was 1985)
I had a psychiatrist who didn't resemble my father, but definitely reminded me of him, nonetheless. And when my father was younger, I thought he looked alot like Alan Alda. Now that he is older, his resemblance to Chevy Chase is downright uncanny. My mom used to say she thought she looked like Roy Orbison. :)
One of my friends was married to a man who looked like Colin Firth and another who looked like George Clooney. No kidding!
And once upon a time I dated a man who most definitely had that sexy Lenny Kravitz vibe going on. Oh myyyy! :) Other doppleblobber men I've dated...R. Kelly, Cliff Robinson, and Michael Jackson to name a few. edit: omg. I remembered one....I dated a "Garth" of Wayne's World
Then there are a few Hollywood stars that resemble each other. Katy Perry and Zoey Deschanel; Andy Gibb and Heath Ledger; U2's Bono and Robin Williams; Brad Pitt and Robert Redford; Isla Fisher and Amy Adams. And while Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon may not resemble Eddie Vedder so much in looks, their voices are very similar and they are both Capricorns.
Over the years, it has become more and more of common occurrence for me to see a person and think they have a strong resemblance to an actor or actress.
While I was living in homeless shelters and spending a lot of time on the streets of downtown Portland last year, I came across many a doppleblobber. Here are a few...
Ed Norton
Jake Gyllenhall
Chris Hemstreet
Katy Perry
Gene Simmons
Samuel L. Jackson
John Slattery
Gary Sinese
Christian Bale
Jeremy Renner
James Gandolfini
Robert Patrick
Kevin Spacey
Sean Hayes
Mark Wahlberg
Bono
Djimon Hounsou
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Jeff Goldblum
Mel Gibson
Sinbad
L.L. Cool J.
Ryan Hurst
John Cleese
Lucille Ball
Literary / Cartoon Characters:
Frog and Toad
Shrek
Glinda the Good Witch
Tin Man
Cowardly Lion
Scarecrow
I would say that in my interactions with these Wizard of Oz Characters that I was Dorothy with many red shoes and my chronic calling for "Home".
And lately I see many men who resemble Jesus, or at least the European depicted Jesus of my childhood (this could just be fashion repeating itself):
Picture found here: Jesus Picture
Er, um, I've also noticed a remarkable number of men looking like they come from the 1890's...could it have anything to do with....
.........Oh Portlandia how I love thee
This "doppleblobber" phenomenon is not unique to me. Other people I know have noticed it. And here is an article from The Mind Unleashed blog about this subject:
Shocking Similarities in Human Templates Between Complete Strangers
As I keep thinking about this phenom, I keep remembering more doppleblobbers. It appears it is neverending so I end this post here, but know that I will continue to experience these occurrences.
UPDATE AUGUST 2015:
Recent sightings....
Peter Dinklage
Orlando Bloom (confirmed by the person with me)
2 more Jeremy Renners (WTH?)
Jurgen Prochnow
and a "dead ringer" for a friend that recently passed.
Things are getting weirdER in Portland. I don't hate it! LOL!
