Jeff Dunham Net Worth and Biography
Today, we will be discussing Jeff Dunham Net Worth and Biography. Dunham is an American ventriloquist, stand-up comedian, and actor who has appeared on several television shows, including Late Show with David Letterman, among others.
He is credited for his effort to revive ventriloquism and for doing more to promote the art form. We will provide you with more information that you may not yet know about this famous comedian. Sit tight and read along.
Jeff Dunham Net Worth and Biography
Jeff Dunham is famous for his unique comedy style as a ventriloquist and he is presently one of the best comedians in the country. To start with our discussion on Jeff Dunham Net Worth and Biography below is the highlight of his biography.
Full Name: Jeffrey Douglas Dunham
Birthdate: April 18, 1962
Age: 59 years old
Birth Place: Dallas, Texas USA
Status: Married to Audrey Murdick
Children: Yes (5)
Profession: Ventriloquist, Comedian, Actor, Screenwriter, Film Producer
Nationality: American
Net Worth: $140 million
Jeff Dunham was born on the 18th day of April 1962, in Dallas, Texas. We have no information of his biological parent but we know that when he was three months old, he was adopted by Howard Dunham, a real estate appraiser, and his homemaker wife Joyce. Together, the couple raised him as an only child.
Dunham journey as a ventriloquist started in 1970 when he was only eight years old. He has gifted a Mortimer Snerd dummy for Christmas and the next day, he checked a how-to book on ventriloquism from the library and the spark began from there.
When he was in fourth grade, Dunham had made up his mind not only to be a professional ventriloquist but to be the best one ever. He devoted himself to consistent practice in front of the mirror for long hours, studying and mastering the routines of ventriloquist Edgar Bergan. He went father to study a how-to record on the subject.
By the time Dunham was in sixth grade, he began attending the annual international ventriloquists’ convention in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky called the Vent Haven ConVENTion. Dunham consistently attended the event missing only one ConVENTion, in 1977.
Dunham began to perform as a teenager at school, church, and even at his job at the amusement park Six Flags. Interestingly, he made his television debut in 1976. He graduated from high school in 1980 and was enrolled at Baylor University to study communications.
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Jeff Dunham Net Worth
Jeff Dunham has built for himself a formidable career as a ventriloquist and stand-up comedian. As of this moment, his net worth is estimated to be $140 million.
Dunham does not only make money from live shows or his TV performances only but also makes much more money through the sales of DVDs which he has sold over 10 million copies. Furthermore, he takes on guest roles in popular shows and movies, and at the same time through the sales of millions of books.
Not forgetting that Dunham also uses his puppets to his advantage having established an online store where you can buy working puppets of Peanut, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Bubba J, and more.
Jeff Dunham Career
While yet in school, Dunham was already traveling around the country on weekends performing in 100s of private shows a year. He was reported to be making $70,000 a year during his junior year in college in 1983-84.
Dunham had his first big break as a variety of acts on Broadway in the show Sugar Babies. Afterward, he moved to Los Angeles to improve and refine his acting in the comedy clubs there.
In 1988 Dunham was asked to perform on the Tonight Show where he did an act with his puppet, Peanut. This gig, although did not immediately lead him to stardom, he spent the next 12 years continuing to do the comedy club circuit.
Finally, 2003 came and Dunham was asked to perform for a Comedy Central special, which eventually brought the breakthrough he so much desired and his career has only been on the rise since then. More so, Dunham’s specials on Comedy Central are viewed by millions of people and have been translated into at least eight different languages.
Dunham has landed guest roles in hit TV shows such as 30 Rock and movies such as Paul Rudd’s Dinner for Schmucks.
Furthermore, His act with “Achmed the Dead Terrorist” went viral on the internet in 2007, and it further promoted the talent of this incredible comedian.
Presently, Dunham is considered to be one of the highest-paid comedians in the world, earning $15-$30 million a year.
Dunham’s characters used for ventriloquism include Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Walter, Peanut, Jose Jalapeno on a stick, Bubba J, Sweet Daddy Dee, Melvin the Superhero Guy, Little Jeff, Achmed Junior, Diane, and Seamus.
In addition, Dunham is an author and writer who has written two books. “Dear Walter” was published in 2003 and was co-authored with Walter Cummings. His second book was his autobiography, “All By My Selves: Walter, Peanut, Achmed and Me,” which was published in 2010.
Jeff Dunham Personal Life
Dunham’s first wife was Paige Brown, whom he met at the Comedy Corner in West Palm Beach in 1992. They tied the knot in 1994 and then adopted Paige’s one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Bree. The couple had two daughters Ashlyn (born in 1995) and Kenna (born in 1997).
Dunham was on the road performing constantly and this put a strain on their marriage which ended in 2009 after the couple parted ways.
Dunham began dating Audrey Murdick sometime in 2009, a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, and bodybuilding competitor whom he met in a restaurant where she worked as a waitress. The couple got engaged on Christmas Day in 2011 and officially married on October 12, 2012.
In October 2015, they welcomed their twin sons James Jeffrey and Jack Steven.
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Conclusion
I hope you have learned one or two things in our discussion about Jeff Dunham Net Worth and Biography. His story teaches us not to give up and follow our dream through hard work and diligence.
