Jeff Dunham

There's some sort of unspoken license... when outlandish things come out of an inanimate object, somehow it equals humor.

The magic in performing as an entertaining ventriloquist happens when the characters come to life and the interaction between the separate personalities on stage becomes 'real.' Then don't forget that the act has to be funny, and to me, being funny and entertaining any given audience is more important than anything.

When I was eight years old, I got a dummy for Christmas and started teaching myself. I got books and records and sat in front of the bathroom mirror, practising. I did my first show in the third grade and just kept going; there was no reason to quit.

Family time was very difficult when my girls were little, but I never missed a birthday; I was there for every major event.