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78 Historical Characters for hire nationwide


  • Bartlett, IL
  • Historical Character
  • 132 miles from Dubuque
  • $200 and up, negotiable

First person historical portrayal of America's most misunderstood First Lady. What makes me different, and why should you choose my presentations? I have 15+...
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Kevin's Costumed Characters

4.65 (26)
32 Verified bookings

  • Chicago, IL
  • Costumed Character / Historical Character
  • 161 miles from Dubuque
  • $175 and up

Cheryl C. said “It was a totally smooth process. Character kept in contact with me the day before and the night of the event. Would use Kevin’s again in the future! ”

Chicago Retro Entertainment

4.88 (112)
Top Performer
256 Verified bookings

  • Chicago, IL
  • Singing Telegram / Historical Character
  • 161 miles from Dubuque
  • $125-$800

Kimberly D. said “We were impressed from the moment of engagement. Martin was timely, professional, and easy to communicate our needs with through the event. Thank you for adding a special feel to the 40th birthday... ”

  • Des Moines, IA
  • Medieval Entertainment / Historical Character
  • 165 miles from Dubuque
  • Contact for rates

Jill W. said “I have seen this group multiple times in multiple locations and they are always a highlight. I seek them out first when I get to renaissance fairs, they are not to be easily forgotten! ”

Teddy Roosevelt Live

5.0 (5)
1 Verified booking

  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Environmentalist / Historical Character
  • 215 miles from Dubuque
  • $400 and up

Dan L. said “Adam's portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt was simply amazing! "Teddy" spoke at our Unitarian Universalist Fellowship this morning and held our audience captivated for nearly an hour (including some Q... ”

Abraham Lincoln

5.0 (10)
11 Verified bookings

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Historical Character
  • 301 miles from Dubuque
  • Contact for rates

Nick P. said “His performance was spot on, engaging, professional, as well as personal. People enjoyed the performance and being able to take a picture with Abraham Lincoln during our annual Republican Party... ”

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Interactive Performer / Historical Character
  • 301 miles from Dubuque
  • $400-$2,000. negotiable.

Jacob D. said “Zero complaints about this performance. Very educated on his act and a joy to be around. His subject matter and mannerisms are perfect for any event. ”

Dr. Benjamin Franklin

4.62 (4)
15 Verified bookings

  • Midland, MI
  • Historical Character
  • 333 miles from Dubuque
  • $300 + / grades 3-12 schools negotable.

Kate H. said “Very enjoyable experience - Ben went above and beyond and was engaging to attendees of all ages! ”

Abraham Lincoln Portrayals

4.98 (9)
18 Verified bookings

  • Adrian, MI
  • Historical Character
  • 342 miles from Dubuque
  • $250 plus travel expenses (negotiable)

Alana S. said “Thank you so much for a memorable birthday virtual celebration ! ”

Captain Smith and Margaret "Molly" Brown

5.0 (2)
3 Verified bookings

  • Ann Arbor, MI
  • Historical Character
  • 354 miles from Dubuque
  • $500 and up

Jim S. said “We booked Captain Smith & Molly Brown for our High School Alumni Weekend '22, that our small town has every year. Our last night (Sunday) we always have a historical drama. We couldn't have been... ”

  • Flint, MI
  • Historical Character
  • 356 miles from Dubuque
  • $425 and up plus travel, honorariums negotiable

An educational and entertaining look at the life of the 26th President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt. Perfect for political events, historical...

Abe Lincoln

5.0 (6)
8 Verified bookings

  • Highland, MI
  • Historical Character
  • 359 miles from Dubuque
  • $200+

David S. said “We had Abe attend our son's graduation party, and he was a big hit with the guests. Highly recommend him. ”

Historical Person Talk and Impersonation

5.0 (2)
7 Verified bookings

  • Northville, MI
  • Arts/Entertainment Speaker / Historical Character
  • 366 miles from Dubuque
  • $100 - $175

Jacob S. said “Mike was very interesting and told the entire edition story, with a guided slide show "photo book" for guests to follow." Very entertaining and educational! ”

  • Newberry, MI
  • Medieval Entertainment / Historical Character
  • 368 miles from Dubuque
  • Contact for rates

Former Infantryman and lover of history

Benjamin Franklin Presenter

5.0 (2)
2 Verified bookings

  • Owensboro, KY
  • Historical Character
  • 377 miles from Dubuque
  • $200-$1000

Lisa C. said “David provided us with an enchanting glimps into the life of President Washington. He was gracious and always the gentleman. We highly recommend him and look forward to having him back. ”

  • Pendleton, KY
  • Look-Alike / Historical Character
  • 397 miles from Dubuque
  • $400-$1000

Beau has 30 plus years stage experience in community, semi-professional, and professional theatre. Beau has over 100 celebrity and political impressions to...

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Quick facts for Historical Characters

663 quotes sent

In the past year, Historical Characters have sent 663 quotes to event planners.

178th most popular

Historical Characters rank #178 in popularity out of 539 categories on GigSalad.

4.9 out of 5 stars

There are 229 Historical Character reviews on GigSalad with an average rating of 4.9 stars.

2.2 days on average to book

From request to booking, it takes 2.2 days (on average) to hire a Historical Character.

FAQ about hiring Historical Characters

A historical character performer is a trained actor or entertainer who portrays a notable historical figure in an educational, interactive, or theatrical context. These performers research and embody their characters through period-accurate costuming, first-person storytelling, and historically grounded dialogue. Common portrayals include figures like Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman, Mark Twain, Amelia Earhart, and many others spanning a wide range of eras and cultures.

Pricing depends on factors like the performer’s experience and level of specialization, the format and length of the appearance, your event location, and whether the engagement includes a formal presentation, an interactive Q&A, or a roaming character experience.

Historical character performers are a natural fit for school events and library programs, museum events, festivals, corporate presentations, themed dinner parties, and gatherings for holidays like Presidents’ Day or Independence Day. They’re also a popular choice for private events where a specific historical era or theme anchors the occasion.

Most professional historical character performers invest significant time in researching their characters, studying primary sources, period language, documented biographical details, and historical context. The depth of that research varies by performer, so if historical accuracy is a priority for your event, it’s worth asking specifically about their research process and sources during the booking conversation.

In many cases, yes! Performers can often tailor the focus of their presentation to align with a specific theme, curriculum topic, or event narrative. A portrayal of Amelia Earhart, for example, might emphasize her aviation achievements for a STEM-focused program or her role as a trailblazer for women in a history or leadership curriculum. Share your goals when you reach out and ask what customization is possible.

About booking Historical Characters

Hiring a historical character can bring charm and intrigue to corporate events, school assemblies, weddings, birthday parties, and more. Characters like George Washington or Albert Einstein make history feel alive, adding a memorable, entertaining twist to any gathering. Find the perfect historical impersonator to give your guests an experience they won’t forget!

The cost to hire a historical character varies based on location, the character’s popularity, and the length and type of performance. For instance, a quick meet-and-greet with Abraham Lincoln might cost less than a full hour-long reenactment or speech, complete with historical attire and immersive storytelling. Reach out to the historical characters above to get a personalized quote for your event.

As you browse for your ideal historical figure, review profiles, watch videos of past performances, and read past client feedback to ensure you’re booking a character who’s both authentic and engaging. Communicate important event details, like timing, venue space, and any special requests, so they can deliver the perfect performance for your audience.

Once you’ve found the perfect historical character, complete your booking through GigSalad. Our full-service platform makes it easy to hire all types of party entertainment. Talk to providers, confirm the details of your agreement, and make a secure payment all in one place. Every GigSalad booking is protected by our Worry-Free Guarantee, so you can rest easy knowing we’ve got your back. Just relax and enjoy the show!