Overview
Jeff Dunham is a comedy superstar. His videos have received half a billion views on YouTube, he sells out arenas worldwide and he's on his way to Auckland for the very first time.
As a ventriloquist Dunham has, of course, plenty of help on-stage from his entourage of signature characters who are there to challenge and chastise his every sentence. There’s Walter the grumpy retiree, Bubba J the beer-swilling red neck, Peanut the furry manic and José Jalapeño the spicy pepper from South of the border, among many others. They may have all been conceived by Dunham, but his characters, who are anything but dummies, have now taken on a life of their own, each with their own legion of fans.
Dunham’s fascination with ventriloquism began at age eight. By the time he was ten, he was performing anywhere he could and has since been on just about every stand-up comedy show around, as well as frequent guest appearances on The Tonight Show and Late Night with David Letterman.
His latest show Controlled Chaos, which he will be bringing to Auckland, made an unprecedented multi-territory broadcast and DVD release in a dozen countries upon its United States debut on Comedy Central in late 2011. 5.5 million people tuned in to watch the special.
Dunham’s global appeal is undeniable. Time magazine declared him the most popular comedian in the United States and he was named top-grossing live comedy act in the world in 2009 and 2010 by the concert industry trade magazine Pollstar.