Jeff Dunham is a famous American ventriloquist, comedian and actor who has delighted millions of fans with his unique and interesting characters.
He is best known for his puppets, such as Dead terrorists, Walter, Peanut and Bubba Jwho often mock issues such as politics, religion, culture, and celebrities.
He has appeared in many television shows, specials and tours and was called “America’s most beloved comedian” by Slate magazine.
File
- Full name: Jeffrey Dunham
- Date of birth: April 18, 1962
- Age: 62 years old
- male
- Place of birth: Dallas, Texas, USA
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Ventriloquist, comedian, actor
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
- Parents: Howard and Joyce Dunham (adopted)
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Audrey Murdick (d. 2012)
- Children: Bree Dunham, Ashlyn Dunham, Kenna Dunham (with Paige Brown), Jack Dunham, James Dunham (with Audrey Murdick)
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: 140 million USD
Early life and education
Jeff Dunham, now 62, was born in Dallas, Texas, on April 18, 1962. He was adopted by Howard and Joyce Dunham, who raised him in a Presbyterian family.
He has no biological siblings. He began ventriloquism when he was eight years old, after receiving a Mortimer Snerd dummy as a Christmas gift.
He soon taught himself how to create voices and created different voices for his characters. He honed his skills by performing in front of family, friends, and classmates.
He also participated in various talent shows and competitions, winning the Vent Haven ConVENTion Junior award at the age of 14. He then attended Baylor University, where he graduated with a degree in communications in 1986.
Personal life
Jeff Dunham has been married twice. His first wife was Paige Brown, whom he met in 1992 at a comedy club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
They married in 1994 and divorced in 2008. They have three daughters: Bree, Ashlyn, and Kenna.
His second wife is Audrey Murdick, a certified nutritionist and personal trainer. They met in 2009 and got married in 2012.
They have twin sons, Jack and James. Dunham and his family currently live in Los Angeles, California.
Career
Jeff Dunham began his career as a ventriloquist and comedian in the late 1980s, performing at various clubs, colleges and corporate events.
He also appeared on several television shows, such as The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Arsenio Hall Show and Star Search.
He became better known and more famous in the 1990s when he appeared on Comedy Central Presents, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman. He also released his first comedy album, Jeff Dunham: Don’t Come Home for Christmas 1996.
In the 2000s, Dunham reached new heights of fame and success with his extraordinary films, such as Arguing With Yourself, Sparks of Madness, and A Very Special Christmas Special, which broke ratings records for Comedy Central.
He also released his autobiography, All By My Self: Walter, Peanut, Achmed, and Me, in 2010, which became a New York Times bestseller.
He also starred in the 2009 television series The Jeff Dunham Show and the 2012 film Minding the Monsters.
During the 2010s, Dunham continued to perform and produce new specials, such as Controlled Chaos, All Over the Map, Unhinged in Hollywood and Relative Disaster.
He also launched his own YouTube channel, Jeff Dunham, in 2014, with over 2.5 billion views and 11 million subscribers as of 2021.
He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017 and was inducted into the Vent Haven Museum Hall of Fame in 2018.
Prize
Jeff Dunham has won several awards and honors for his ventriloquism and comedy, such as:
- Vent Haven Conference Facility Award (1977)
- American Comedy Award for Funniest Comic for Men (1998)
- TNN Music City News National Award for Comedian of the Year (2003)
- Billboard Top Comedy Tour Award (2008, 2009, 2010)
- Guinness World Record for “Most sold stand-up comedy tour” (2009)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2017)
- Vent Haven Museum Hall of Fame (2018)
Net value
Jeff Dunham has an estimated net worth of $140 million. He earns most of his income from comedy specials, tours, merchandise, and endorsements.
He is one of the highest paid comedians in the world, earning an average of $15 million per year.
Argumentative
Jeff Dunham has faced controversy for using stereotypes, insults, and political incorrectness in his comedy.
Some critics have accused him of racism, Islamophobia, misogyny and homophobia. He defended his humor as satire and said he did not intend to offend anyone.
Several former colleagues sued him for breach of contract and plagiarism.
Social Media
- Instagram: @jeffdunham
- Twitter: @jeffdunham
Filming
- Tonight’s show with Johnny Carson
- Arsenio Hall Exhibition
- Search stars
- Comedy gifts from the Central region
- Tonight’s show with Jay Leno
- The Late Show with David Letterman
- Blue collar TV
- Son of the mask
- Delta farce
- 30 stones
- Jeff Dunham’s Christmas special
- Jeff Dunham’s show
- Dinner for idiots
Book
Jeff Dunham wrote a book:
- All By Me: Walter, Peanut, Achmed and Me (2010)
