Josh Stamper has been playing the role of The Grinch for years, ringing the Salvation Army bell outside the Greenfield Walmart and appearing at other community events. (Provided photo)
HANCOCK COUNTY — At 7 feet tall and covered in plush green fur, Josh Stamper is a sight to behold at the holidays.
For the past 13 years, the Greenfield man has devoted the Christmas season to portraying one of his most beloved characters of all time — The Grinch.
Stamper, a father of two grown kids, can’t think of any better way to bring a smile to people’s faces than greeting them in a custom-made green costume.
He’s a common fixture at private parties and holiday parades, where he greets children with his trademark lopsided grin.
“I just love bringing joy to others and seeing other people smile,” said Stamper, 43, who loved watching the original animated Grinch cartoon as a kid.
This weekend, he’ll be ringing the bell to collect money for the Salvation Army outside the Greenfield Walmart, something he does each holiday season.
“I’ve rang that bell for many, many years. I was once one of those poor kids, so the mission is close to my heart,” said Stamper.
“A lot of people don’t see why you would want to waste your time ringing the bell and donating money, but my mom was a single mom, and I remember a time when we didn’t have anything and the Salvation Army showed up and helped,” he said.
Stamper loves portraying the Grinch so much that he’s transformed his green 1994 Jeep Wrangler into a year-long tribute to the grumpy green grouch.
The jeep has a heart that grew three sizes on the hood, just as the Grinch’s heart does in his beloved movies.
The side of the Jeep features a quote from the 2000 movie, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” starring Jim Carrey, that says, “I’m not going!”
“I’ve always loved Jim Carrey and I’ve always loved the Grinch,” said Stamper, who admits to being a big kid at heart.
When portraying the Grinch, Stamper dons a costume created by a woman in Texas who has made custom costumes for many a Jolly Old St. Nick.
Stamper, who often partners with members of Santas of Indiana, knew the seamstress was well known for her skills at crafting realistic holiday costumes.
“I do a lot of little side gigs with Santas, so I saw a couple guys posting online. I know when they’re looking for gigs and try to help out,” he said.
“I’m fully decked out with full-body costume, makeup, masks and the whole nine yards,” said Stamper who has appeared at birthday parties and Christmas parties over the past 13 years, mostly in Hancock County.
Last year, he recorded a video with Hancock County 911 promoting awareness of “porch theft,” in which thieves snatch packages from front porches.
Earlier this week, he appeared at a family Christmas party in Greenfield, hosted by a friend of his from church.
“She was hosting a gathering for her grandkids and wanted the Grinch to be there,” said Stamper, who attends Brandywine Community Church in Greenfield.
Stamper is an active member of the church, where he helps lead a men’s group as well as a Celebration Recovery group for those fighting addiction.
“I just see tons of joy. When people see me, you can tell that they have joy. They are excited,” he said.
This Christmas season, Stamper has appeared at the Fortville’s Winter Fest and Greenfield’s holiday parade and Christmas tree lighting.
He makes sure to watch Jim Carey’s version of the Grinch and other Grinch-related movies each December.
Stamper said his custom-made costume is similar to the one the Grinch wore in Carey’s movie, where he dons bib overalls and a white sweater with the words “I love Xmas.”
Stamper puts a great deal of effort into his look, even beyond his costume.
For each appearance, he glues a customized prosthetic mask to his face and applies green makeup and coloring to his face, ears, neck and beard.
Stamper also has an extensive collection of Grinch paraphernalia he displays in his home each Christmas season, like a doghouse, bobble heads, stuffed animals, and a blowup version of the Grinch.
“I’m working on getting the light up musical thing where you can pull up and listen to the lights play,” he said.
To follow Stamper’s adventures as The Grinch, visit his Facebook page, titled THEGRINCH.
