Jeff Dunham

“Despite being almost limp from laughter, his audience gave comedian Jeff Dunham a standing ovation after his opening set last night… His show combined prepared material with off-the-cuff witticism that show him to be one of the funniest comics working.” The Denver Post

“actual skill of ventriloquism is something that anyone can learn if you have a normal speaking voice, a tongue and teeth. It is a learned skill like juggling,” Dunham told The Improper Magazine.

“Walter was a crotchety old man with his arms crossed and I figured it would get old fast. I did not realize I was creating an ‘Everyman’ – every guy has the potential in him to be Walter, every woman either has the potential of having him in her personality or is married to him…Now that we’re getting closer in age, pretty soon it’ll be “The Sunshine Boys.” I can imagine in my 60s how Walter and I will be on stage both discussing our prostate problems.”

Jeff Dunham was born in 1968 in Dallas, Texas. He is a graduate of Baylor University. Jeff is married to his wife Paige since 1990, and together they have three daughters. They live in LA, and Jeff and Paige are big dog people. Jeff Dunham started performing at a young age, and has been in the spot light since the 1980s.

He has appeared on television a number of times. Television appearances include The Tonight Show, Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central presents and more. During his first Tonight Show appearance, he was invited to sit on Johnny Carson’s couch, an honor only granted to only four other comics during Carson’s 30-year-run.

Jeff normally brings out seven puppets during his shows. Hardcore Dunham fans call these the “Suitcase Posse,” presumably because they come out of…a suitcase. Jeff’s main puppets are :

  • Peanut the purple woozle
  • The old man Walter
  • Jose Jalapeno on a Stick, which is not so much a puppet as a jalapeño pepper… on a stick…
  • Achmed the Dead Terrorist
  • Buba J, a redneck
  • Melvin the Superhero Guy, and
  • Sweet Daddy D, Jeff’s manager

Jeff Dunham specials

In addition to selling Jeff Dunham tickets to his various shows, Dunham has also made a pretty penny starring in comedy specials. These are of course hilarious, and if you haven’t seen them I highly suggest you check them out. Jeff Dunham’s first special was “Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself.” You can imagine where the title came from, and yes, he does argue, with himself. Most Dunham fans know his second special, “Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity.” This was the special that launched his superstar career and finally brought him to the national spotlight. Most recently Jeff starred in “Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special,” which debuted on November 16, 2008. It was indeed very special as well as a huge hit. It was Comedy Central’s highest rated program of all time.

Dunham also released a comedy album titled “Don’t Come Home for Christmas,” which features original Dunham Christmas music and debuted Achmed’s “Jingle Bombs.”

Jeff Dunham comedy awards and achievements

  • In 2008, Jeff Dunham was named the #1 comedian during Comedy Central’s “Stand-Up Showdown.”
  • In 1998 Dunham was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award and Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic by the American Comedy Academy.
  • Spark of Insanity was the highest selling DVD on Amazon for 11 days, and at one point was selling at a rate of 35,000 a week! Both his DVD’s are multi-platinum sellers. He also can claim two record-setting Comedy Central specials.
  • He has also headlined a sold out national tour, and has sold more than sold more than 250,000 Jeff Dunham tickets!
  • He has You Tube hits in the multi-millions.
  • Even Canada has also taken notice.

Jeff Dunham Achmed the Terrorist

Dunham has said that he got the inspiration for Achmed when he was walking down an LA street and saw a skeleton, which he thought looked like a terrorists. He worked over the routine and came up with what is now an international sensation. “Silence! I kill you!” has become one of the biggest catch-phrases of the decade throughout the globe. The US ranks eight as far as country-specific searches, an indication of Dunham’s worldwide appeal.

“I knew Achmed was going to be big and popular, but I had no earthly idea it was going to be beyond our borders,” Dunham told the Las Vegas Review Journal. “I think it’s kind of like whistling in the dark. You like to laugh at what scares you.”

Jeff Dunham and the Achmed controversy

The Achmed the Terrorist clip on You Tube has been viewed more then 72 million times. Jeff Dunham created international controversy when his Achmed the Terrorist was pulled from advertising in South Africa. Apparently the government believed the bit was offensive to Muslims “To associate this divine inspiration to a terrorist is offensive to the people who believe in [Muhammad],” the authority ruled. Muslims make up 2 percent of South Africa’s population,” said South Africa’s Advertising Standard’s authority. In response, Dunham released the following statement; “Achmed makes it clear in my act that he is not Muslim, so I’m sorry the gentleman Khan didn’t see my entire show. I’ve skewered whites, blacks, Hispanics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, gays, straights, rednecks, addicts, the elderly, and my wife. As a standup comic, it is my job to make the majority of people laugh, and I believe that comedy is the last true form of free speech…I truly believe that laughter can heal many wounds…If it would help things, I’m considering renaming Achmed, ‘Bill,’” he said.