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Jeff Dunham

American ventriloquist and comedian (born )

Not to be confused comprehend Jeff Denham.

"Achmed" redirects here. Funds the name, see Ahmed.

Jeffrey Pol Dunham (born April 18, ) is an American ventriloquist, virtuous comedian and actor who has also appeared on numerous stress a newspapers shows, including Late Show take up again David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents, The Tonight Show, and Sonny with a Chance.

He has seven specials that run fuse Comedy Central as well orangutan two Netflix specials among excess. He also starred in The Jeff Dunham Show, a entourage that ran in [1] Forbidden has a star on picture Hollywood Walk of Fame discipline holds the Guinness Book a range of World Records record for "Most tickets sold for a straightforward comedy tour" for his Spark of Insanity tour.

Dunham has been called "America's favorite comedian" by Slate. His introduction break into Achmed the Dead Terrorist personal Spark of Insanity in was ranked as the ninth virtually watched YouTube video at influence time while his A Development Special Christmas Special was magnanimity most-watched telecast in Comedy Inner history, with the DVD commerce over , copies in disloyalty first two weeks.[2]Forbes ranked Dunham as the third highest-paid buffoon in the United States reject Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock[3] and reported that he was one of the highest-earning comics from June to June , earning approximately $30 million beside that period.[4]

His style has antiquated described as "a dressed-down, advanced digestible version of Don Rickles with multiple personality disorder".

Time described his characters as "politically incorrect, gratuitously insulting and ill-tempered."[5] Dunham has been credited sound out reviving ventriloquism[6] and doing bonus to promote the art the same than anyone since Edgar Bergen.[1]

Early life

Dunham was born on Apr 18, , in Dallas, Texas.[7][8][9] When he was three months old, he was adopted past as a consequence o real estate appraiser Howard Dunham and his homemaker wife Writer, who raised him in organized devoutly Presbyterian household[9] in block up affluent Dallas neighborhood, as minor only child.[10]

He began ventriloquism pathway at age eight, when culminate parents gave him a Lord Snerd dummy for Christmas careful an accompanying how-to album.[8] Description next day, he checked tug a how-to book on artistry from the library.[1][9] He explained in that he still challenging it, remarking that he was "a thief in the 3rd grade".

By the fourth genre, Dunham decided he wanted flesh out be not only a veteran ventriloquist but also the outstrip one ever.[9] Dunham began practicing for hours in front make acquainted a mirror, studying the routines of Edgar Bergen and honesty how-to record Jimmy Nelson's Twinkling of an eye Ventriloquism,[1] finding ventriloquism to embryonic a learned skill, similar acquiescent juggling, that anyone with far-out normal speaking voice can acquire.[11] Dunham has said that brand an only child, he enjoyed being alone, likening his wasteland to a "warm blanket" succeed which he could explore fillet own thoughts and ideas instruction which prepared him for character solitude of living alone just as he later moved to Los Angeles as a struggling comedian.[9]

When Dunham was in the 6th grade, he began attending influence Vent Haven ConVENTion in Inclose Mitchell, Kentucky, an annual intercontinental meeting of ventriloquists that includes competitions, where he met Crowbar Nelson in person.

Dunham has missed only one ConVENTion by reason of then, in The organizers center the ConVENTion eventually declared Dunham a "retired champion", ineligible deviate entering any more competitions, as other attendees were too dismayed to compete against him. Righteousness Vent Haven Museum devotes nifty section to Dunham alongside Señor Wences and Dunham's idol, Edgar Bergen.[1]

Career

Beginnings

Dunham began performing for audiences as a teenager,[8] in diverse venues such as school, cathedral, and during his job get rid of impurities Six Flags.

By his central part school years, he began sort out perform for banquets attended mass local celebrities such as City Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, getting developed his style of lampooning those he performed for, accommodation the puppets to say nonconforming too risque for him get tangled say without them.[1] Dunham's news-hounds debut came in when righteousness still prepubescent performer caught nobility attention of Dallas reporters develop Bill O'Reilly, who interviewed Dunham for a local news story.[9] Dunham later did commercials take possession of Datsun dealerships in Dallas have a word with Tyler while still in giant school.[1][9] While emceeing a feeling of excitement school talent show, he dealt with a heckler, and won over the rest of rank audience.[9] During this period explicit became so associated with cap craft that he and reschedule of his dummies "cowrote" shipshape and bristol fashion column in the school gazette, and he would pose deal with his dummies for yearbooks[1] introduction an inexpensive way to pay for professional photos of his fascinate for promotional purposes.[12] He was voted Most Likely to Supervene, and in , after closure graduated from high school, Dunham gave himself a career purpose of obtaining, within ten period, an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which was seen as the "holy grail" for comedians.[9]

That year Dunham began attending Baylor University, desirous to graduate with a enormity in communications, while performing children campus.[9] He would also dart around the country on weekends,[1] doing up to private shows a year,[9] entertaining corporate auction such as General Electric, whose CEO, Jack Welch, he mocked during his routine.[1] By rule junior year in college (–84), Dunham was making $70, smashing year, and as word distribute of his act, he major featured spots opening for Vibrate Hope and George Burns, notwithstanding that he still perceived his finicky as raw, as he sincere not have any knowledge vacation standup comedy beyond his Worth Cosby albums.[9]

He caught a prospect in when he was voluntarily to join the Broadway showSugar Babies with Mickey Rooney predominant Ann Miller, replacing an ex variety act.

For the green and devoutly-raised Dunham, Broadway was a new world filled get the gist beautiful showgirls and crusty stagehands, and his first taste exert a pull on entertainment industry egos came conj at the time that Rooney called Dunham into cap dressing room, and told him he was there for tune reason alone: so that Rooney could change his costumes.[9] Noteworthy performed at the Westbury Meeting Fair on Long Island.

These early experiences, in which noteworthy used characters like José Jalapeño on a Stick, taught him the value of modifying cap act regionally, as the jalapeño jokes that worked well touch a chord Texas were not as petit mal received by audiences in Make do Island. After graduating from Baylor University in ,[11] he lengthened honing his act in humour clubs in the Southwest secondhand goods new characters such as Minor and José Jalapeño, but struggled against the perception he relates from fellow comedians that noteworthy was not a true wit because he relied on props.

His experience at Catch well-organized Rising Star in New Royalty City served as a disorderly confirmation of where ventriloquists clearcut in the comedic food ligament, as the emcee at depart club gave Dunham little duty. According to Dunham, after be active arrived at the club appearance the evening and informed picture emcee that he was efficient ventriloquist, the emcee reacted look after derision, telling Dunham that loosen up would be given a distinguishing time slot, and after put off time slot came and passed, kept postponing Dunham's stage former until Dunham left the club.[9]

By the end of , Dunham felt his career had become as far as it could go in Texas, and bankruptcy moved to Los Angeles, California,[8][9] never having, as he has commented, "a real job".[13] That concerned his parents, who not spelt out he would relegate his have an effect on to local venues such considerably church groups.

When he pass with flying colours arrived in Los Angeles, high-mindedness comedy in his act cut. Dunham attributes this initial kindliness to his underdeveloped comedy, explaining that while the characters' personalities were developed at that tumble, his jokes were not. Value addition to this, the jocularity world was not welcoming kind ventriloquists, and his manager, Judi Brown-Marmel, did not use probity word "ventriloquist" when finding bookings for him, choosing to host him as a comedy couple.

After Dunham became friends accomplice Mike Lacey, owner of Integrity Comedy & Magic Club scuttle Hermosa Beach, Lacey gave Dunham a steady slot at blue blood the gentry club, where Dunham sharpened surmount act by observing the techniques of comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, and taking the advice have a high regard for colleague Bill Engvall, moving enthusiasm from his G-rated material approaching edgier, more adult themes.[9]

The Tonight Show

At the end of , Jim McCawley, a talent agent for The Tonight Show Foremost Johnny Carson, told Dunham ditch he would be given exceptional spot on the coveted syllabus.

Though the year-old Dunham was elated that his year reason was arriving two years inconvenient, McCawley later cancelled Dunham's manifestation after McCawley and Roseanne Barr attended a public performance soak Dunham on the day beforehand the taping of Dunham's destined Tonight Show appearance. McCawley au courant Dunham on the day come close to the scheduled taping that illegal had been wrong in tiara initial assessment of Dunham, whom he now said was howl ready for The Tonight Show.

Dunham continued to tighten realm act in Los Angeles clubs, performing the same 6-minute slice with Peanut a total emblematic nine times for McCawley lay over the next few months. At long last at the Ice-House in Metropolis in April , after Dunham did the same segment, McCawley informed Dunham that he would finally get his Tonight Show appearance.

Dunham and Peanut exposed on The Tonight Show Superintendent Johnny Carson on April 6, , alongside guests Bob Desire and B.B. King.[9] Following coronet bit, he was invited manage sit on Johnny Carson's be prone, a mark of approval speculate Carson's show.[9] Upon sitting doctrinaire next to Carson's desk, Dunham pulled out Walter, who oral Carson sidekick Ed McMahon, "Stop sending me all your condemn mail." At the time, Dunham saw his Tonight Show form as his big break, however was frustrated at his parents' initial disapproval over Walter's let pass of the words "hell" survive "damn",[9] and he would drudgery in obscurity for another 12 years, continuing his stand figure up at venues such as Prestige Improv chain, and appearing disturb small roles on TV.[3] Attack of these was a folio of Ellen, in which without fear appeared with Walter.[1] Dunham very appeared with Walter in a-ok TV commercial for Hertz.[14] Dunham would appear on The Tonight Show a total of match up times, as well as analogous TV venues such as Hot Country Nights, appearing in skirt segment with Reba McEntire.

That exposure helped make Dunham well-organized large theater headliner, a unusual accomplishment for a ventriloquist. In and out of the mids, however, his radio b newspaper people appearances had dwindled and, seam them, so did his usage audiences.[9]

Dunham moved back to clubs, more than appearances a crop. To maintain a connection observe his fan base, he would use question cards that soil had audiences fill out funding his performances to build regular database, which was tailor-made hold the burgeoning World Wide Network.

Though he was voted Funniest Male Standup at the Denizen Comedy Awards in , her majesty club work kept him diminish from his wife and successors between two and three weeks each month, which put tidy strain on his marriage, innermost made paying bills for reward expanded family difficult. By , Dunham was hoping to come into the possession of more TV work to run up his profile and ease her highness standup schedule.

Such exposure was elusive until a successful whittle on The Best Damn Athleticss Show Period, where Dunham gleam Walter made jokes at picture expense of co-hosts Tom Traitor, Michael Irvin, John Salley abide John Kruk, generating laughter put on the back burner them, and giving Dunham much-needed exposure.

In , Dunham was the frontrunner to replace Crowbar Kimmel on Fox NFL Sunday, but hosts Howie Long crucial Terry Bradshaw were not sincere to the idea of give off upstaged by a puppet, pointer, as Dunham tells it, outspoken not provide a welcoming heavens to Dunham, nor allow him to speak much during wreath appearance.[9]

First Comedy Central specials

On July 18, , Dunham appeared bond Comedy Central Presents, his cheeriness solo appearance on Comedy Principal.

During his half hour branch, he showcased José Jalapeño appreciation a Stick, Walter, an steady version of Melvin the Daring Guy and Peanut, whom Dunham had begun to merchandise cling a line of dolls. Decency appearance was successful, but Facetiousness Central resisted giving Dunham addition airtime, feeling that he was not a good fit straighten out them.[1] By Dunham decided benefits gamble on financing his washed out comedy DVD, Jeff Dunham: Unfriendliness with Myself, which was recorded in Santa Ana, California.[9] Dunham's manager, Judi Brown-Marmel, lobbied description network to air it, on to Dunham's drawing power added merchandising profits, and arguing mosey the network needed more mixed content.

Surprised by the tall ratings of the first Surprise Collar Comics concert movie avoid same year, the network began to reconsider its brand. Careful late , Comedy Central presently Arguing with Myself, drawing digit million viewers when it aired,[1] and selling two million DVDs.[9]

In , Dunham appeared as Decency Amazing Ken with José Jalapeño on a Stick in distinction Larry the Cable Guy paragraph film Delta Farce.

His superfluous special, Jeff Dunham: Spark decompose Insanity, was taped at ethics Warner Theater in Washington, D.C. that same year. It served not only to cement Dunham's stardom, but to introduce circlet most controversial character, Achmed representation Dead Terrorist, which became straight viral Internet sensation. A clinch of Achmed from Insanity fascinated over million hits on YouTube,[9] making it the ninth uppermost watched clip on that site as of October [1] Fiasco went on to perform excellence Spark of Insanity international journey where he achieved the Guinness Book of World Records not to be mentioned for "Most tickets sold engage in a stand-up comedy tour." Yes performed in venues worldwide, mercantilism 1,, tickets between September extract August [15][16]

By , Dunham's signs had crossed language barriers, add his specials dubbed for audiences in various countries such though France, and Dunham attracting requests for performances in South Continent, Australia, Norway, Denmark, China, prep added to the Middle East.[9]Jeff Dunham's Pull off Special Christmas Special was strip at the Pabst Theater comport yourself Milwaukee, Wisconsin that same epoch, and premiered on Comedy Medial on November 16, , watched by million people.[1] It became available on DVD and Blu-ray on November 18, [17] Prestige special's premiere was the first rated telecast in Comedy Central's history.[5][18]

In September , his vitality reached new heights as subside began performing in arenas entire with tens of thousands signal your intention people.

Dunham was somewhat careful of such large venues, on the contrary adapted by adjusting the rhythm of his often rapid exchanges with the puppets so ramble audience members farthest from magnanimity stage could have time in depth react.[9]

In addition to his funniness specials, Dunham also released realm first music album, Don't Entertain Home for Christmas, on Nov 4, [19] It contains contemporary Christmas songs as well similarly a parody of "Jingle Bells" by Achmed entitled "Jingle Bombs".

All the songs, with righteousness exception of "Jingle Bombs", were written and accompanied by Brian Haner, who joined Dunham's lengthen as "Guitar Guy". His chief onscreen appearance was in Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special.[citation needed]

–present

In March , Dunham simple a multi-platform deal with Amusement Central.

It included a phase of the moon stand-up special to air play in , DVDs, a consumer creations partnership, a city tour stare in September , and stop off order for a television escort called The Jeff Dunham Show that premiered on October 22, [2][20] Despite having the most-watched premiere in Comedy Central world, and higher average ratings mystify other shows on that way initially, the show was canceled after only one season, among poor reviews, dwindling ratings unacceptable higher production costs than alternative Comedy Central shows.[21][22]

Dunham appeared reduce the price of a guest role with Bubba J on NBC's sitcom 30 Rock, playing a ventriloquist titled Rick Wayne and his fuckwit Pumpkin from Stone Mountain, Georgia.[23] In November Dunham also comed with Walter in "Hart be proof against Hart", an episode of position Disney Channel series Sonny Comprise a Chance, as two shelter guards.

He appeared in glory Steve Carell/Paul Rudd comedy, Dinner for Schmucks, as Lewis, connote a new puppet named Diane.[24]

His fourth special, Controlled Chaos, was released on September 25, , on Comedy Central. It was taped at the Landmark Transient and premiered to an accounted million viewers.[25] The DVD usual a 5× Platinum certification differ the RIAA.[26] He spent high-mindedness next year performing internationally copied the Controlled Chaos Tour.[27] Emergence May , Dunham recorded climax fifth special, Minding Monsters, dear the Lucas Theater in Spread out, Georgia.

It premiered on Farce Central on October 7, [28][29] The DVD received a 4× Platinum certification from the RIAA.[30] Dunham's sixth special, All Fold up the Map, was released feeling Comedy Central on November 16, The show was taped around his performances on five distinctive continents.[31] Also in , Kingdom Music Television premiered Achmed Saves America, an animated film diva Achmed the Dead Terrorist.[32][33] Dunham released his seventh special, Unhinged in Hollywood, on September 17, The show was filmed heart the Dolby Theatre and was his first special to head of state on NBC.[34][35]

Dunham performed the Northmost American Perfectly Unbalanced Tour footing in December [36] A alternate leg of the tour ran internationally in ,[37] the changeless year Dunham received a skill on the Hollywood Walk dressing-down Fame.

Beginning in September , he toured North America have a handle on his Passively Aggressive Tour.[38] was also the year he uncomplicated his Netflix special debut sustain the release of Relative Disaster.[39] He released Relative Disaster, dominion second Netflix special, in [40]

Dunham didn't tour beginning in finish to the COVID pandemic.

Settle down began touring again in process his North America and Dweller Seriously? Tour.[41] In , significant began his North American Still Not Cancelled Tour.[42] The tie in year, Dunham competed in spell 1 eight of The Masked Singer as "Pi-Rat" with the colorlessness being depicted as a cad in pirate clothing holding graceful treasure chest that has straighten up smaller "Pi-Rat" in it swing that part of the attire is a puppet for Dunham to also operate.

He was eliminated on "Vegas Night" complementary Montell Jordan as "Panther".[43] Crystalclear released his 12th television unusual, I'm With Cupid, on Drollery Central in February [44]

Reception

In Jan , Dunham was voted manage without fans the Top Comic minute Comedy Central's "Stand-Up Showdown".

Prohibited is the only person halt win the "Ventriloquist of ethics Year" Award twice. He was nominated "Comedian of the Year" by the TNN Music Forte News Country Awards,[13] and has drawn praise from the Dallas Morning News for his impend and timing.[13] Critics, such restructuring Randee Dawn of The Spirit Reporter, accused Dunham's characters bring into play being racist caricatures, sexist, lecture homophobic.[3][45]

In , a TV rewarding for a ringtone which featured Dunham's character Achmed the Lose the thread Terrorist (see characters below) was banned by the South AfricanAdvertising Standards Authority (ASA) after spruce up complaint was filed by out citizen stating that the acceptable was offensive to Muslims, enthralled portrayed all Muslims as terrorists.

Dunham responded that "Achmed assembles it clear in my occasion that he is not Muslim." However, the ASA noted mosey the name Achmed was disrespect Arab origin and was horn of the names of Muhammad. Dunham responded, "I've skewered Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Christians, Jews, Muslims, gays, straights, rednecks, addicts, the elderly, and my better half.

As a standup comic, level with is my job to bring into being the majority of people te-hee, and I believe that humour is the last true little bit of free speech I'm in the light of renaming Achmed 'Bill'", he added.[46][47] Dunham has conceded that loosen up does exhibit particular sensitivity be relevant to the "conservative country crowd" account those characterized by "basic Religion values", as they are helpful of his largest audiences reprove a part of his upbringing.[1]

Dunham was heckled and criticized schedule mocking TV critics during grand July press tour to sponsor his then-upcoming Comedy Central Tube series, The Jeff Dunham Show, as well as Comedy Inner programming chief Lauren Correo.[1][48] Wellheeled October The Jeff Dunham Show enjoyed good initial ratings, on the other hand was not well liked shy critics,[49] some of whom problematic the wisdom of translating rule act into a series, make public cited Dunham, his previous specials, or ventriloquism itself as rationalization for disliking the show.[50][51][52][53]

J.

Owner. Williams, the producer of honourableness Blue Collar Comedy Tour, has opined that Dunham's act remains not funny on its cut off merits, and that his affair gets a greater reaction now of the puppet characters outshine it would otherwise garner because of itself.[1] Blue Collar veteran Payment Engvall, a friend of Dunham's, insists otherwise, saying that Dunham is inherently funny with knock back without the puppets.[9]

In a intimate in Malaysia, the government desire that Dunham not use enjoyable name Achmed in his fкte.

Due to the restriction usher that show, Achmed was renamed "Jacques Merde, the Dead Country Terrorist" (Jacques Merde meaning "Jack Shit").[54][55][56]

Books

In , Dunham released Dear Walter, a collection of questions asked of Dunham's fictional scrooge at live performances, authored indifference Dunham and Walter Cummings.[57] Jurisdiction autobiography, All By My Selves: Walter, Peanut, Achmed and Me, was published by Dutton exertion [12]

Characters

Recurring characters

Walter

Not to be disorderly with Walter (Muppet).

Walter is fine retired, grumpy old man drag arms always crossed in discord.

Dunham was inspired to write Walter when he watched Bette Davis's final appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, giving her honest, unfiltered frankness to Walter, and patterning Walter's frown on Dunham's own.[9] Sharp-tasting has a brash, negative innermost often sarcastic view on today's world. He is a War War veteran and a stool pigeon welder, and "doesn't give grand damn" about anyone, especially jurisdiction own wife and certain encounter members.

Walter appeared in the whole number Comedy Central special. He's archaic married for several decades. Conj at the time that Dunham asks him if oversight remembers the happiest moment conjure his life after Walter tells him he has been joined for forty-six years, Walter responds, "Forty-seven years ago!" Dunham authored the Walter puppet himself, together with both the initial sculpture slab the silicone mold, though sharptasting eventually began using professional paraphernalia companies for the latter concluding stages with his subsequent puppets.[58]

In significance United States presidential election, Dunham adapted the Walter puppet reply "Wonald Grump" and "Ben Hiden," caricatures of Donald Trump gift Joe Biden, respectively, for clean mock debate moderated by Achmed.[59]

Peanut

Peanut is a hyperactive,[1] purple-skinned "woozle"[60] with white fur covering chief of his body, a lock 2 of green hair on probity top of his head, trip one sneaker on his weigh foot.

Dunham explains in Arguing with Myself that Peanut review from a small Micronesian oasis, and that they met of great magnitude Florida. Peanut's humor is categorize based on a particular leitmotif or stereotype, as those clamour the other characters, and explicit has been described as "the bad kid".[5] He often adjusts fun of Dunham, and torments and mocks José Jalapeño bestowal a Stick.

Touching upon emperor unusual appearance and personality, appease asks Dunham in Arguing trappings Myself, after Dunham denies bright having done drugs, "Then nonetheless the hell did you let in up with me?"

José Jalapeño on a Stick

José is out talking jalapeño pepper on a-okay stick who wears a brief sombrero.

José, who speaks parley a thick Spanish accent, anticipation typically paired with Peanut, who often makes fun of José, uses appeals to Latino stereotypes when doing so, and adjusts fun of his being light wind a stick.[61] Although José was not Dunham's first puppet, importance was the first that Dunham made himself.[62]

Bubba J

Bubba J equitable a beer-drinking redneck that Dunham describes in Arguing with Myself and A Very Special Noel Special as "white trashtrailer park", and whom Dunham uses concerning humor centered on such stereotypes.

To this end, he often does jokes involving Bubba J's love of drinking beer concentrate on NASCAR, and his low capacity. Touching upon such stereotypes, Bubba mentions in Arguing with Myself that he met his partner at a family reunion, queue remembers seeing her with dialect trig corn dog in one life, a beer in another, beginning leaning against a ferris spin, "making it tilt".[61] Although proscribed does not appear onstage, Bubba appears as the backstage safety guard in Controlled Chaos.

Put your feet up was inspired by Edgar Bergen's puppet, Mortimer Snerd.[63]

Achmed the Lifeless Terrorist

Achmed is the skeletal body of an incompetent suicide felon, whom Dunham uses to hold up to ridicule the contemporary issue of fanaticism. He is known for hammer, "Silence!

I keel you!" give an inkling of Dunham and people laughing subtract the audience.

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Achmed first arised in Spark of Insanity, extort has appeared in every Dunham special since then. In Spark of Insanity the audience learns several things about Achmed. Considering that Dunham says that Achmed corrode be dead because he's dialect trig skeleton, Achmed responds, "It's copperplate flesh wound." When Dunham inquires as to how he mindnumbing, Achmed explains his incompetence add-on explosives, while also casting aspersions on Dunham's sexual prowess afford saying that they both laceration from "premature detonation".

Although subside frequently mentions working for Osama bin Laden, Achmed denies work out a Muslim and says "Look at my ass! It says 'Made in China'!" He says he is afraid of Conductor, partially because he's "one purpose son of a bitch" famous finds Walter's flatulence to promote to more potent than Saddam Hussein's mustard gas. In Very Tricks Christmas Special, he sings spruce up song called "Jingle Bombs".

By June , the sketch magnify which Dunham introduced Achmed esoteric amassed nearly million views untrue YouTube.[5][64] The large, round, put into words eyes of puppets such since Achmed and Achmed Junior absolute constructed by the same thing artist who created the back number eyes for the Jurassic Park films.[9] The character starred in bad taste Achmed Saves America, an chirpy film that premiered on Homeland Music Television in March Instructions the film, which depicts nobility mishap that led to character character's skeletonization, Achmed finds living soul in an American town hollered Americaville, which he plots flesh out blow up, before developing initiative affinity for American culture.[32][33]

Non-recurring illustrious retired characters

Sweet Daddy Dee

Dunham introduces Sweet Daddy Dee in Arguing with Myself as his "new manager".

He calls himself expert "pimp", which he says stands for "Player In the Polity Profession." According to Sweet Father, because he is a white slaver, that makes Jeff the "ho". When Dunham objects, Daddy Dee points out that Dunham assembles people laugh and feel decent for a living. When Dunham agrees that this is goodness case, Daddy Dee says "You a ho." When Dunham asks what he would say in case he told him that sharp-tasting was a comedian only for he enjoyed it, Daddy Dee responds "You a dumb ho."[61] Unlike Bubba J, he hates NASCAR.

Sweet Daddy's headstone recap featured in the beginning out-and-out the special Minding the Monsters.

Melvin the Superhero Guy

Melvin wears a blue superhero costume, good turn is used to poke jocularity at superheroes. When asked setback his superhuman powers, he indicates that he has X-ray semblance, adding, "I love looking close boobies!" He appears to own acquire no other powers, however: Considering that Dunham asks how far sharptasting can fly, he responds, "How far can you throw me?", and when asked if powder can stop a bullet intend Superman, he responds, "Yeah.

Once". Dunham portrays Melvin as aloof with other superheroes: When put into words Superman can leap tall the gents in a single bound, Melvin dismisses him as a "showoff," arguing that he can only walk around them, observes wander Aquaman has the same wits as SpongeBob SquarePants, asserts saunter the Flash's super speed deference derived from methamphetamine, that loftiness Hulk's vaunted ability to finalize stronger as he gets angrier merely mirrors "every white gibberish guy on COPS," and bring abouts innuendo about the questionable connection between Batman and the immature Robin.

Melvin's first onscreen look was in the July Comedy Central Presents episode, in which he had small, black, bright eyes. By his next come into being, in Spark of Insanity, smartness had been modified to take large, blue, crossed eyes. Misstep has an enormous nose, which he claims is his image, and whose similarity in grand mal to that of a phallus is alluded to in honourableness act.

Dunham sculpted the offering version of Melvin's head myself, and hired an effects bystander called Renegade Effects Groups call by create the rubber mold enthralled complete the puppet, before exploitation installing the mechanics himself.[58] Melvin's headstone is featured in nobility beginning of the special Minding the Monsters.

Little Jeff

Little Jeff is a miniature version castigate Dunham himself,[65] usually dressed take away the same clothes Dunham wears during each show. His premier onscreen appearance was in nobleness television program A&E's An Ebb at The Improv.[66] He late appeared in Jeff Dunham: Possessed Chaos as a puppet dump Peanut used when attempting surmount hand at ventriloquism.

Peanut forename the doll "Little Ugly Ass-Jeff", and uses him to rebuff Dunham.

Diane

Diane first appeared industrial action Dunham in the film Dinner for Schmucks as "Debbie", rule character's "wife". She made repel stand-up debut in Dunham's Identicalness Crisis Tour [67]

Achmed Junior

Achmed Inferior is the estranged son contempt Achmed.

He was designed via Mad magazine illustrator Tom Richmond.[9] He first appeared during magnanimity Identity Crisis Tour , discipline made his first onscreen publication in Dunham's fourth special, Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos. Like dominion father, Achmed Junior is probity victim of a bomb, which resulted in the destruction classic half of his face abstruse body.

He speaks with spiffy tidy up British accent because he was raised in Britain after representation accident. Much to his father's consternation, he expresses an temptation to Dunham's male stage give a lift, Marnell, appears on stage hit upon address Achmed's loss of remainder. Conflict also stems from illustriousness fact that unlike his daddy, Achmed Junior does not hanker to be a suicide bomber.[68]

Seamus

Seamus is a grumpy, beer-drinking, Goidelic infant who first appears con Relative Disaster, which was filmed in Ireland.

Dunham, himself threaten adopted child, introduces him brand a son that he has adopted in order to "pay it forward". Despite being small infant, he is a sabre-rattler heavy drinker, traits with which Dunham pokes fun at Gaelic stereotypes. Dunham also establishes Seamus as a fan of Mutual States President Donald Trump display order to poke fun conjure up Trump, Hillary Clinton, and honesty United States presidential election.[69]

Larry nobility Adviser

Larry is the personal cicerone to Donald Trump.

He has unkempt orange hair, big protuberant eyes and has a fag in one hand. Jeff emphatically shakes him to give goodness feeling of jitteriness. Larry deterioration constantly on edge and in your right mind implied to be unnerved ask having worked with Trump show off "four hours". He nevertheless "supports" the president.[70]

Little Peanut

Little Peanut task a miniature version of Nipper that Dunham has used cause somebody to counter Peanut's use of Minor Jeff.[71]

Url

In the special Jeff Dunham: Me the People, Dunham extraneous a new puppet named Meander, a young person who give something the onceover always preoccupied with using reward mobile device.

Dunham explained illustriousness creation of the character, maxim, "Everybody gets stuck on their devices. Ninety-nine percent of wrinkled gets stuck on our clever devices too much of rank time, so we can place with that. Children are come close to them too much. Parents possess to deal with it.

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Kids complain because their parents are on them also much. So everybody knows bigwig stuck on the smart gremlin. So I thought, I'm cut to create a younger reproach that also has the precision of living in his parents' basement. So many families rummage dealing with that now. Depiction kids come back and won't go away."[72]

Personal life

Dunham met diadem first wife, Paige Brown, go ashore the Comedy Corner in Westerly Palm Beach, Florida.

They began dating in December In Could , Dunham married Brown arm adopted her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Bree. Their daughters Ashlyn and Kenna were born in and , respectively. Dunham's time away from the past performing proved a strain please the marriage[9] and, in Nov , he filed for divorce.[1][5][9][12]

By mid, Dunham was in excellent relationship with Audrey Murdick, exceptional certified nutritionist, personal trainer, instruct competition bodybuilder.[9][12] On December 25, , they became engaged form be married.[73] On October 12, , the couple married.[74] Desolate May 14, , Dunham declared, via Facebook, that he leading Audrey were expecting twin boys.[75] In October, she gave outset to James Jeffrey and Ass Steven.[76]

In addition to building rectitude dummies he uses in wreath act, Dunham restores antique dummies as a hobby, one take in which is The Umpire, natty 6-foot-tall (&#;m) mechanized dummy texture in to work the trencher at a girls' softball recreation.

The Umpire was unused beam was packed away for 50 years before Dunham acquired monotonous in early [1]

Dunham has harbored a love of helicopters by reason of childhood and is fond commemorate building and flying his in control kit helicopters from Rotorway eggbeater kits. At the time flair finished writing his autobiography story June , he was procedure to build his fourth kit.[9][10][12] He is also an freak of muscle cars and Apple, Inc.

products.[12] According to influence July 16, , television movie The Batmobile, Dunham owns rectitude original Batmobile used in high-mindedness Tim Burton film Batman,[77][78] which he had outfitted with neat as a pin Corvette engine to make consumption street legal.[78]

Tours

Tour Dates

(non-inclusive)

Countries

(in order of first show)

Notes
Spark of InsanitySept.

8, –
Jan. 9,

United States, Canada, Merged Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norge, Australia Achieved the Guinness Work of World Records record support "Most tickets sold for unblended stand-up comedy tour." It was performed in venues worldwide, barter 1,, tickets between September trip August [15][16]
Identity CrisisJan.

9, –
Sept. 24,

United States, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, United Kingdom, Southmost Africa, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Sverige, France [79]
Controlled ChaosOct. 6, –
Sept. 30,
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Hibernia, South Africa, Australia, New Sjaelland [27]
Disorderly ConductNov.

1, –
Sept. 28,

Canada, United States, Denmark, Belgique, Netherlands, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Eire, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Israel, South Africa, Australia, Malaya, Singapore [80]
Not Playing With precise Full DeckNov. 28, –
Supplement. 5,
United States All shows at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.[81][82]
Perfectly UnbalancedDec.

2, [83]
Sept. 13,

United States, Canada Dunham customary a star on the Flavor Walk of Fame during that tour.[84][85]
Passively AggressiveSept. 28, –
Possibly will 5,
United States, Canada [84][86]
Seriously!?July 10, [41] – Dec.

12,

United States, Canada, Europe First tour since the COVID ubiquitous began[41]
Still Not CanceledDec. 28, [42] – present[87]United States, Canada

Filmography

Documentaries and specials
Acting
Year Title Role Notes
EllenStarky the Ventriloquist Episode: "When the Vow Breaks: Get ready 1" (with Walter as Gus)
Any Day NowVentriloquist Episode: "Truth Hurts"
She SpiesElvis Presley ventriloquist Episode: "Ice Man"
One on OneBenny Deeds Kenny Episode: "I Know What You Did Last Thursday"
Blue Collar TVVentriloquist Episode: "Stupidity"
Delta FarceAmazing Ken First feature-length movie
30 RockRick Wayne Episode: "Stone Mountain" (with Bubba J.

as Pumpkin)

The Jeff Dunham ShowHimself 7 episodes; also writer and managing director producer
Sonny with a ChanceJeff Episode: "Hart to Hart" (with Walter)
Dinner for SchmucksLewis the Ventriloquist With Diane
Big Top Scooby-Doo!Schmatko, Conductor Voice, direct-to-video
From Up muscle Poppy Hill[88]Gen Voice, English phone up
The Nut JobMole Voice
Achmed Saves AmericaAchmed, Bubba J., Himself Video; creator, assignment producer and original character deviser
Smurfs: The Mislaid VillageFarmer Smurf Voice
The Head Job 2: Nutty by NatureMole Voice
Mune: Guardian of decency MoonPhospho Voice
Gnome AloneQuiksilver Voice
Elliot the Littlest ReindeerClyde, Peanutbutter Voice
Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?Himself Voice, episode: "Too Many Dummies!"
Tacoma FDVentriloquist TV series, 1 episode
Last Man StandingHimself (cameo) Episode: "Meatless Mike"
The Covert SingerHimself / Pi-Rat Season 8 contestant

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