Jeff Dunham, the inimitable ventriloquist and stand-up comedian, has tickled the funny bones of millions with his unique artistry and memorable characters.
Here, we delve into every aspect of Jeff Dunham’s life — from his age and height to his impressive array of movies, TV shows, and the infamous puppets that have made him a household name.
We will also explore his educational background, family, romantic relationships, and other facets of his life, answering burning questions like why The Jeff Dunham Show ended and whether he is the richest comedian.
What You Want to Know?
Jeff Dunham Net Worth
Dunham is known as “American favourite comedian”, he is also the top-grossing standup act in North American according to Pollstar. He received 350 million hits on youtube and his introduction of Achmed the Dead Terrorist in Spark of Insanity was ranked ninth most-watched video at that time.
By 2009 he sold over four million DVDs and made $7 million from merchandise sales. His show A very special Christmas special made history by selling 400,000 copies and made itself the most-watched telecast on Comedy Central.
Dunham was ranked third highest-paid comedian in the United States by Forbes and was also one of the most-highest earning comedians from June 2008 to June 2009.
He earned a net worth estimated $30 million during that time. He also banged The Guinness Book of the world for his record of “Most tickets sold for a stand-up comedy tour” for his show named Spark of Insanity tour.
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Jeff Dunham Age and Height
Born on April 18, 1962, Jeff Dunham is currently 61 years old. Standing at a height of 6 feet, Dunham’s physical stature complements his larger-than-life personality.
Movies and TV Shows
Jeff Dunham’s career on the big and small screen includes movies like “Delta Farce” and “Dinner for Schmucks.” He has also appeared in numerous TV shows, most notably his own, “The Jeff Dunham Show,” which aired in 2009.
Why Did The Jeff Dunham Show End?
The Jeff Dunham Show enjoyed enormous popularity but was canceled after its first season due to high production costs, despite garnering decent viewership numbers.
Medium and Puppets
Jeff Dunham’s expertise lies in ventriloquism, a craft he has honed since he was eight years old. His puppets, including Walter, Peanut, José Jalapeño, and Achmed the Dead Terrorist, are almost as famous as he is.
How Many Puppets Does Jeff Dunham Have?
Jeff Dunham has created over 10 different puppet characters, each with its own unique personality and comedic style.
Jeff Dunham Education and Parents
Dunham attended Baylor University and graduated with a degree in communications. Born to Joyce and Howard Dunham, his parents were instrumental in nurturing his talent from a young age.
Jeff Dunham Spouse, Ex-Affairs, and Kids
Jeff Dunham has been married to Audrey Murdick since 2012, and the couple has twin boys. Prior to that, Dunham was married to Paige Brown, with whom he adopted a daughter.
House and Lifestyle
Dunham lives in a luxurious estate in Encino, California, complete with all the amenities you’d expect from a high-profile comedian.
Jeff Dunham Early Life
Dunham was born on April 18, 1962, in Dallas Texas, was later adopted by, Howard Dunham a real estate appraiser, and his wife Joyce, when he was three months old. They raised him in a devoutly Presbyterian environment.
By the age of eight, Dunham started ventriloquism when his parents gave him a Mortimer Snerd dummy for Christmas in 1970. Later at the age of four, he decided to become a professional ventriloquist and began practicing for hours in front of the mirror.
He tried to learn studying routines of Edgar Bergen and how to record Jimmy Nelson’s Instant Ventriloquism. As he was the only child of his parents, he used to be alone with his solitude in which he used explored new ideas and thoughts.
This warm blanket of solitude prepared him for the later phase of his living in Los Angeles. Dunham met, Jimmy Nelson his ideal when he was in sixth grade at Vent Haven ConVENTion in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
Jeff Dunham Career
Duhan initially started performing at places like school, church, and banquets which were attended by local celebs, in his middle school years. He made his first television debut in 1976. While in high school he even appeared in commercials for Datsun and Tyler.
After graduating from high school, Dunham set himself a target goal to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, within ten years. Dunham pursued a degree in communication from Baylor University.
He made around $70,000 a year, by his junior year, from 1983-84. He continued performing in comedy clubs in Southwest after graduating from Baylor University in 1986. By 1988 shifted to Los Angeles, California from Texas.
In 1990 on April 6, Dunham lived his dream by making an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson co-starred by Bob Hope and B.B. King. He continued appearing in small roles on shows like Ellen, a TV commercial for Hertz.
The first solo appearance of Dunham was made on Comedy Central on July 18, 2003. Dunham decided to gamble his own comedy DVD, Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself, recorded in Santa Ana, California which scored a high rating and was considered a brand by the network in 2005.
Finally, in late 2006, Comedy Central aired Arguing with Myself, grabbing two million views and selling DVDs respectively. His first music album, Don’t Come Home for Christmas, written by Brian Haner was released on November 04, 2008.
In 2009 he banged a multi-platform deal with Comedy Central, even a show called The Jeff Dunham Show aired on October 22, 2009, which was canceled after only one season. He kept on releasing his special from 2011 onwards, which were Jeff Dunham: Controlled Choas, Minding the Monsters, All Over the Map, Unhinged in Hollywood respectively.
Jeff Dunham Personal Life
Dunham’s first wife was Paige Brown. They met at Comedy Corner in West Plam Beach, Florida. They dated from 1992, finally got married in 1994. He even adopted her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Bree.
They later had two daughters named Ashlyn and Kenna in 1995 and 1997, respectively. Though the relationship did not last long they filed for a divorce in November 2008. After moving on from Brown, Dunham was found in a relationship with Audrey Murdick, got married on October 12, 2012.
On May 14, 2015, he announced that they are expecting twins via a Facebook post. Their sons James Jeffrey and Jack Stevan were born in October 2015.
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Jeff Dunham Awards
Dunham’s talent has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Ventriloquist of the Year Award, which he has won twice.
Jeff Dunham Social Media Presence
With a strong social media presence, especially on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, Jeff Dunham has successfully transferred his stage presence to the digital world.
Does Jeff Dunham Still Work?
Yes, Jeff Dunham continues to perform and tour, entertaining audiences globally with his unique brand of comedy and ventriloquism.
Is Jeff Dunham the Richest Comedian?
While he is among the top-grossing comedians, with an estimated net worth of $140 million as of 2021, he is not considered the richest comedian. That title often goes to comedians like Jerry Seinfeld.
Conclusion
Jeff Dunham is more than just a comedian; he is an entertainer in the truest sense, touching lives with his unique medium of ventriloquism.
From his early days to his current status as one of the highest-earning comedians, Dunham’s life and career have been a rollercoaster of laughs, applause, and unforgettable performances.
