Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg M Thompson.
Hi Greg M, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in a small town in NC. I was drawn towards entertainment since I was a teenager. I believed in Santa Claus until I was 14. When I discovered the truth, I was like “Fine, then I’ll BECOME Santa Claus”. I was in the 9th Grade the first time I put on a Santa Suit. It was a really cheap suit with a horrible beard. My grandmother helped me make it better…but it was still a bad costume.
I did it locally for churches and a kids of family friends. I think I stopped doing it around 1983.
In the meantime, I had moved to Florida and back a couple of times. I had worked at Universal Studios, Medieval Times and numerous corporate events. Entertainment became my career.
I didn’t do Santa again until 1999 when I moved to Florida. I had started my entertainment company (at the time, it was called The Vagabond Troupe. I did themed entertainment dressing as various characters like Austin Powers, Renaissance characters, pirates and the like.
I got a call looking for a Santa Claus. I decided to make my own costume and do it more. I was in my 30’s so I had to add padding and make up to look more believable. It worked.
In 2004, I decided I wanted to create THE SANTA COMPANY and take it more seriously. My friend Joe Zimmer had also been portraying Santa and we thought this would be a good way to pick up a few more Christmas gigs each year. I was the “Agent” and main Santa and Joe would be my back up.
It took off!
Each year, we made it more professional and believable. Now, I have the very best Santa’s in Florida. Some are real bearded and some are using top of the line “theatrical” beards like I do. I have 14 Santas in all. I have 5 Mrs. Claus’s and one of them is my wife, who I believe is the most beautiful Mrs. Claus in the business! (She goes for the more elegant Mrs. Claus in the style of Angela Lansbury.
In 2024, we provided Santa for over 250 appearances including the City of Orlando, high end resorts and corporate events and home visits.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Covid was expected to be a bust. But with some basic rules in place, business only declined about 30% but picked right back up in 2022.
The biggest problem is that we run out of Santas on the Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have to turn down work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our calling card has been that we are completely immersive. ALL of our Santa performers take it seriously and strive to create a personal experience. Adults are amazed at the professionalism.
We ONLY perform in the most professional costumes. We do not do “Party Store” costumes. We are professional entertainers year round and at Christmas time, we become Santa.
(We understand the real guy lives at the North Pole and we are Santa impersonators.)
I don’t particularly like the term “Santa’s Helpers”. We want the kids to BELIEVE they are talking with the real guy…just like I wanted to believe when I was a kid.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Do it right. Don’t go the cheesy route. If you can’t do it the right way, don’t do it. You’re messing with children’s memories.
On that note, I have finally decided to host a “Santa School” here in Orlando. I call it “Klaus Academy”. Every year, I have guys call me wanting to know how to get into the Santa Business and I kindly decline from sharing my information.
This year, I decided to share. It will be September 5-7, 2025 on International Drive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheSantaCompany.com
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/thesantacompany
Image Credits
Greg Thompson/ Personal Phone
