Jeff Dunham has over 100 puppets that he features in his comedy acts. The most commonly known puppets are Walter, Peanut, José Jalapeño, and Achmed the Dead Terrorist. He is also known for his well-crafted performance nuances, such as clever banter and interactions among a composed cast of characters.
In addition to the familiar characters, Jeff has created newer character puppets like Bubba J, Sweet Daddy Dee, Achmed Jr. , and the curious purple creature, Little Jeff. With these characters, Jeff Dunham has captivated the international comedy scene, making him the top grossing comic in the United States in 2018.
The overall popularity of Jeff Dunham’s puppets sets it apart from other puppeteers and is a testament to the talent of this performer.
What are Jeff Dunham’s puppets called?
Jeff Dunham is a popular ventriloquist and comedian, who has been performing since he was a child. He is best known for his comedic performances featuring an array of puppet characters. These puppet characters are Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Walter, Peanut, José Jalapeño on a Stick, Bubba J, and Sweet Daddy Dee.
Achmed the Dead Terrorist, who made his debut in Dunham’s 2006 Comedy Central special Arguing with Myself, is a skeleton puppet sporting a turban and an Osama bin Laden-style beard. He is a “dead terrorist”, who is always making sarcastic remarks, and has an inability to produce terrorism due to his mortality.
Walter is a grumpy old man puppet who originally appeared with Dunham in Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie in 2003. He stands out from the other characters in Dunham’s show, as this is a “straight man character” who takes on the role of playing the straight man, leaving the other characters to make jokes at his expense.
Peanut is a “woozle” character of purple color, with a peak-a-boo hairstyle. He was first featured in Very Special Christmas Special in 2008 and is to date Dunham’s favorite puppet character. He has a “hip hop” attitude and tends to make fun of Dunham, often to the point of annoyance.
José Jalapeño on a Stick is a jalapeño pepper that is connected to a stick, initially appearing in Dunham’s Arguing with Myself in 2006. He is a Latin American character, and always adds a Latin flare to his performances, while often making fun of Dunham’s “country ways”.
Bubba J is a redneck character that was first introduced in Dunham’s 1995 album, Spark of Insanity. Unlike most of the other characters, he is considered more than a “straight man” and is seen more as a happy-go-lucky kind of guy.
Last, but not least, Sweet Daddy Dee is a world-weary, elderly black ex-Chicagoan. He made his first appearance in Dunham’s 2009 release, A Very Special Christmas Special, and is distinguishable by his signature hat and cane.
He is seen as a kind old uncle who plays the role of the “responsible adult” in the show.
So, to summarize, Jeff Dunham’s puppets are Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Walter, Peanut, José Jalapeño on a Stick, Bubba J, and Sweet Daddy Dee.
Who is Jeff Dunham’s first puppet?
Jeff Dunham’s first puppet is a character named Peanut. Peanut is a “Jimmy Stewart sound-alike” and is characterized by his fuzzy purple coat, bright green hair, and signature glasses. Peanut is an excitable, wisecracking “ventriloquist’s dummy” that provides the main foil for Dunham’s humor.
He is a self-proclaimed “Luigi look-alike” and a “spaz” who claims to be of inexplicable origin. Peanut is often a source of frustration for Dunham, due to his unpredictable behavior and comments that often cross the line of political correctness, which makes him a favorite among the audience.
He is an icon of the Dunham show, often making appearances in Dunham’s merchandise, press photographs, and even on promotional products.
Who is the most famous puppet?
The most famous puppet of all time is Kermit the Frog, one of the stars of the Muppets created by puppeteer Jim Henson in the 1950s. Kermit was the first of the Muppets and was one of the few characters outfitted with a full body, allowing him to be used in a variety of skits and acts.
He also proved to be one of the most versatile members of the troupe, as he was used in skits ranging from funny conversations and songs to serious debates and interviews.
Kermit made his television debut in 1955, and by 1969 he was largely responsible for turning the Muppets into an international sensation. He has since starred in several made-for-television films, numerous specials, and the long-running prime-time television series The Muppet Show, the Muppet Movies, and Muppets Tonight.
He has appeared both as a guest and host on talk shows and appeared on the covers of major publications such as Time, Entertainment Weekly, and Rolling Stone.
Kermit’s many appearances and his recognizable green hue placed him firmly in the public consciousness and gave him a cultural significance few characters could match, making him the most famous puppet of all time.
Who was the first famous ventriloquist?
The first famous ventriloquist is generally regarded to be the Italian puppeteer named Guiseppe Bianchi, who put on performances in the 1790s. Bianchi’s shows attracted large audiences and established ventriloquism as an art form.
He inspired others to follow in his footsteps and paved the way for the popularization of ventriloquism, paving the way for legendary performers like Edgar Bergen, Shari Lewis, and Jeff Dunham in the 20th century.
What is the order of Jeff Dunham shows?
The order of Jeff Dunham’s shows varies depending on the type of show and the location, but here is a timeline of the shows he has been part of:
1998 – “Jeff Dunham and the Comedy Caravan”
2000 – “Jeff Dunham: Arguing With Myself”
2006 – “Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special”
2008 – “Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity”
2009 – “Jeff Dunham’s Minding The Monsters”
2010 – “Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos”
2012 – “Jeff Dunham: Disorderly Conduct”
2013 – “Jeff Dunham All Over The Map”
2015 – “Jeff Dunham: Unhinged in Hollywood”
2016 – “Jeff Dunham: Beside Himself”
2018 – “Jeff Dunham: Passively Aggressive”
2020 – “Jeff Dunham: Alone Again”
Jeff Dunham has also been featured on various comedy shows, award shows and live comedy specials, including The Daily Show, Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show and Comedy Central Presents. His stand up comedy tours have won him numerous awards, including the Best Comedy Tour award at the 2018 Pollstar Awards.
Additionally, he was a special guest on the final season of America’s Got Talent in 2019.
Did Jeff Dunham ever win America’s got talent?
No, Jeff Dunham did not win America’s Got Talent. He made it to the Season 6 finals, but ultimately did not win the show. His act, which featured his puppet Walter and the classic Achmed the Dead Terrorist, received a favorable response from the audience but could not compete against the other champion-winning performers.
Despite not winning America’s Got Talent, Jeff Dunham is a top-grossing stand-up comedian in the world and continues to travel and perform to sold-out audiences around the globe.
Is Jeff Dunham appropriate for a 12 year old?
Jeff Dunham is a popular ventriloquist, acclaimed for performing over the last few decades. His comedy often relies heavily on adult humor and themes, making it a tricky subject for gauging appropriate content for a 12 year old.
While not all of Dunham’s material is considered explicit, a good portion of it does have sexual innuendos, as well as crude jokes that some view as inappropriate. In addition, Dunham often uses language that is profane, edgy and sometimes even offensive.
Depending on which of his videos or television show performances one watches, his material can come across as being too mature for a 12 year old.
Ultimately, the parent will best know their child and if they feel Jeff Dunham is appropriate for their 12 year old. It is important to watch the content first, in order to make an informed decision.
Additionally, they should always keep an eye on their child while they are watching Dunham’s material to ensure it is indeed right for them.
Who is famous for saying it’s a puppet?
Jim Henson is perhaps the most famous person known to saying “It’s a puppet”. He was an American puppeteer, animator, film director, producer, screenwriter, and the creator of The Muppets, who is best known for transforming the art of puppetry and for developing a cast of beloved puppet characters during the 1950s.
His work had a profound impact on the entertainment industry and pop culture of the 20th century. Henson coined the term “Muppets” as a portmanteau of the words “marionettes” and “puppets” and his famous catchphrase “It’s a puppet” is often quoted by fans.
He is credited with launching the successes of Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and many other Muppet – related projects.
Who has a puppet named Walter?
Steve Whitmire is the puppeteer who has been the primary performer of the Muppets character Walter, who first appeared in “Muppets Most Wanted” in 2014. Although Steve’s predecessor, the late Jim Henson, had taken on some roles within the Muppets, Walter was among the first characters Steve exclusively took over performing and is arguably his most iconic.
Under Steve’s careful guidance and performance, Walter has grown to become one of the most beloved Muppets, appearing in fans’ hearts in numerous films, television shows, and stage shows.
Who are all the characters of Jeff Dunham?
Jeff Dunham is a ventriloquist and stand-up comedian best known for his puppets: Walter, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Peanut, José Jalapeño, Sweet Daddy Dee, and Bubba J. He has created a variety of other characters in the past, such as Melvin the Superhero Guy, Elvis, Achilles the Discouraged Pirate, Apple C.
Polom Guy, Bob the Dog, Punky the Sniffly Elephant, and SeÑor Punti. In addition to these core characters, he’s had a variety of other puppets for quick one-off jokes, including a cow called Miss Carla, an old-man named Barry, a civil-war soldier named Captain Hero, a reindeer named Redeye, and a talking Banana.
He’s also performed with some of his own characters, instead of puppets, such as Achmed Junior, an Arab teen based on Achmed, and Walter Jr. , a nerdy teenager version of Walter.
Who is considered the ventriloquist?
The term “ventriloquist” is used to refer to an entertainer who specializes in the art of “throwing their voice,” or manipulating their vocal tract so that they appear to be speaking without actually moving their lips.
This art form dates back to at least Ancient Greece and has been used in everything from entertainment to religious ceremonies. Many people are familiar with ventriloquism from the success of famous ventriloquists such as Edgar Bergen and Shari Lewis, who popularized the art among TV audiences in the 1950s.
At their peak, Bergen and Lewis were so successful that their names became synonymous with the craft, and their hand-crafted dummies remain popular among collectors today. Other notable ventriloquists who have made an impact in the entertainment world include Jeff Dunham, who is best known for his stand-up comedy and puppet show, and Jay Johnson, who won an Emmy award for his appearance on the groundbreaking sitcom “Soap.
” Ventriloquism is still alive and well in the modern era, with performers like Ronn Lucas, Dan Horn and Nina Conti using cutting-edge technology, specially designed puppets and a comedic take on the classic art.