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The 20 Greatest Ventriloquist of All Time

Ventriloquism is often viewed by the audience for entertainment purposes. This type of art seeks to bring the puppets to life through the different techniques and styles. It is an interesting and comedic form of entertainment.

The performer creates conversations between themselves and their puppets while still making it seem that the puppets are speaking on their own. This form of art allows the audience to suspend their belief and accept the puppet as a separate entity form the performer.

Funny comedians with puppets generate tons of laughter customized to your audience and event. The ventriloquist’s skills and tricks tend to captivate audiences and create a world where the puppets have their own personality separate form theirs.

For more on famous people in the comedy industry look at 20 Best US Comedy Actors.

1.Jeff Dunham

Jeffrey Douglas Dunham is an American Ventriloquist and standup comedian who has become popular over the years. Jeff began his performance back as a teenager where he performed in church and school. It is at this moment that he had a realization that this was his calling in life.

The actor has so far performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents, The Tonight Show, and Sonny With a Chance. The Ventriloquist also features in his show, The Jeff Dunham Show which premiered back in 2009.

Jeff has so many accomplishments over the year and has even been listed as one of the highest grossing touring comedians in the world. His style and techniques in comedy set him apart from his peers.

2.Taylor Mason

Taylor Mason is an American ventriloquist who initially studies agriculture and communication before he began to explore his passion in ventriloquist. He was first introduced to puppets when he was just four years, and this is when he was intrigued by the art.

During his university days, Taylor suffered a knee injury, and it is during this moment that he explored his interest in puppets. He performed with is puppets for audiences. Taylor was quite the unconventional ventriloquist as he used to mix up his acts with music and piano. Taylor has also written the book A Complete Idiots Guide to Ventriloquism and Irreversible, which is majorly based on matters ventriloquism.

3.Mark Wade

Mark Wade is an American children’s ventriloquist who acquired the title of the best ventriloquist of the yeas 1980. Mark has been fortunate enough to perform and lecture on his area of expertise at an international level.

Mark Wade is the known director at the Vent Haven International Ventriloquists’ ConVENTion and the Maher Ventriloquist Studios which is known for being one of the oldest known ventriloquist studios that specifically teaches the art of ventriloquism.

Mark has appeared on national television shows such as Entertainment Tonight and The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, Real People, and CBS Evening News. For over 35 years, Mark’s programs and work has been both inspirational and educative for children.

4.Terry Fator

Terry Fator. Author Amanda Ferrell.

Terry Factor is known all over the world for being an American ventriloquist, stand-up comedian, singer, and impressionist. At an incredibly young age he developed interest in singing and ventriloquism. Back in 2007, Terry made his appearance on the America’s Got Talent show where he ended up winning the price.

The American show put him on the limelight since his talent and ability to do impersonations was uncanny. Terry often incorporates his singing in his performance to revive classic original songs. Terry is also known for his charitable deeds, back in 2007 he appeared in Montana to raise funds for the Kidsports Sports Complex.

Read more about Terry Fator here.

5.David Strassman

David Strassman is known for being one of the top American ventriloquist, actor, stand-up comedian, and artist of all time. David’s interest began way back at a Disneyland trip where he requested for professional magic tricks that he used to perform at his neighborhood.

Later, he took ventriloquism lessons as an elective in junior high school where he learnt most of his tricks. It is at this moment that he realized that he could exploit this interest for economic gain. David is well known for developing strong characters like his chuck wood and Ted E. Bare characters.

6.Jay Johnson

The American ventriloquist, Jay Johnson is well known for his characters, Chuck and bob and Campbell on soap. Jay Johnson: The Two & Only!, is Johnson’s film that premiered back in 2006 and has since then received so many positive reviews. The success of the film put Johnson on the maps at the international level.

Johnson got the New England Critics Award for his performance in Cambridge, and the Ovation Award for Best Solo Performance in Los Angeles in 2006. His television show, Soap was also groundbreaking for his career in ventriloquism. Unlike other ventriloquist, Jay is known for his mastery in delivery and techniques before an audience.

7.Lynn Trefzger

Lynn has established herself in the ventriloquist field for over thirty years. Lynn is majorly known for performing in colleges, on cruise ships, in theaters and on television. Lynn’s outrageous audience interaction is hilarious, she strives to bring in a new perspective with every show. Her performances are appropriate for both family and adult audiences.

Over the years Lynn has garnered numerous accolades and nominations including The American Comedy accolades, Variety Entertainer of the Year, and National Association of Campus Activities Comedy Entertainer of the Year. Back in 2010, she received the Ohio Arts Presenters Association’s People’s Choice Award.

Read more on women featured in the comedy industry in 15 Funniest Indian Comedians and in 10 Famous Mexican Comedians.

8.Tom Crowl

Tom Crowl has dominated the ventriloquist industry for over 30 years. Before the take-off of his career, he performed alongside his wife, Dierdre. Now his solo career incorporates fictional performance partners. His unique style and high-energy comic performances has set his apart from the rest.

Tom is a rare talent who is well-known for his appearance on NBC’s Last Comic Standing as well as his performances at business events, associations, theaters, cruises, casinos, and resorts all over the world. Tom recently availed an online ventriloquist course where he teaches ventriloquist skills to upcoming entertainers.

9.Edgar John Bergen

Edgar John is an American ventriloquist who gained his skills in the art form a leaflet titled, The Wizard’s Manual. Other than ventriloquism, he is known for also being a comedian and radio performer. Edgar initially enrolled at the Northwestern University for college, for a pre-med program to please his mother, however along the way he changed his major to speech and drama.

Bergen’s talent as an entertainer, particularly his portrayal of Charlie, carried his shows. In the United Kingdom, Peter Brough and his dummy Archie Andrews was parallel to that of Bergen’s radio success. Edgar’s proficiency in ventriloquism sets him apart from the rest in the same industry.

10.Wayne Federman

Wayne Federman is a renown American ventriloquist who has made several appearances on theaters and television. Other than ventriloquism, Wayne is also now for being a comedian, actor, author, writer, comedy historian, podcaster, and musician.

Wayne is known for his appearances on, The X-Files, The Larry Sanders Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Crashing, Legally Blonde, 50 First Dates, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Step Brothers. Waynes unique style and talent in ventriloquism has put him on the maps both in the United States and the world.

11.Paul Zerdin

Paul Zerdin is a British, London-based comedian and ventriloquist who won the America’s Got Talent show, season 10. His interest in ventriloquism began way back when he was just 10 years old where he used his home-made puppet theater to perform in shows. His first debut was on the BBC’s Tricky Business, where he performed as a magician.

This opened doors in his career as soon after he secured a two-year deal with GMTV to present the Disney-produced children’s show Rise and Shine. Zerdin made history by successfully being the first outright winner of LWT’s The Big Talent Show which was hosted by Jonathan Ross. Paul majorly performs on Disney Cruise Lines, Theatres and Fringe Festivals with his puppet Sam.

12.Nina Conti

Nina Conti’s talent in performance seems in-build as she is the daughter of performers Tom Conti and Kara Wilson. Nina immersed herself into acting and performing as soon as she completed her course University of East Angelia.

She was a member of The Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2000/01 company in Stratford-upon-Avon and London and starred in various roles in Daisy and Ken Campbell’s 1999 and 2000 productions of The Warp, Neil Oram’s 24-hour play cycle. Conti has been in several television productions, including Black Books, Holby City, Single, and the Australian panel show Spicks and Specks.

13.Paul Wilchinsky

Paul Wilchinsky’s fame in ventriloquism grew back in the 1950’s and 1960’s. This comedian, actor, humanitarian, and inventors’ Notable work had him being a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television. During his peek years he was the host at his show, The Paul Winchell Show.

Before his death in 2005, he had been a guest at Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show, McMillan & Wife and The Donna Reed Show. Paul has also featured in shows like the voice of Tigger, Dick Dastardly, and Gargamel.

14.Jim Barber

Jim Barber was an American ventriloquist who is commonly known for his unique performances where his dummies appear to be holding each other. This comedian and singer’s unique style set him apart from the rest in the same industry. Jim’s career took off when he acquired a background entertainment marketing job.

Back in 2004, Jim landed a co-star role in the Hamner Berber Variety show and he took up the task for about nine years. Barber has also appeared on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, the A&E, Fox, NBC, ABC and The Nashville Network.

15.Shirley Dinsdale

Shirley Dinsdale was an American ventriloquist and media personality between the years 1940 to 1950s. This radio personality is majorly remembered for her character, Judy Splinter and its television show. Her childhood tragedy opened her mind into greater possibilities.

Her father gifted her a dummy after she was unfortunately burnt at her home in San Francisco, California. Her dummy which she named; Judy Splinter allowed her to improve her natural talent in ventriloquism.

This improved her skills and eventually she moved to Los Angeles to become a regular radio personality at the Eddie Canto’s radio program. After this successful career, she retired in 1953 and got married and later had two children form the marriage. She died back in1999 at the age of 71.

16.Kevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson is an American ventriloquist, comedian and magician who brings in a unique perspective into his work. Kevin acquired his interest in ventriloquism back when he was just nine years after he had acquired a pull-string dummy form his parents. He perfected his skills over a period of four years before he fully emersed himself into the art.

His style is quite unique as he developed this technique in the art form inspiration form how parrots speak without lips. During his collage days, Kevin entertained youth as a local church in the collage. Kevin Johnson appeared in the 2006 America’s Got Talent Show competition to showcase his talent to the world. His unique style and technique have put him on the maps.

17.Shari Lewis

This award-winning ventriloquist made herself known in the industry through her unique style and technique in the art. Her father, who was also a performer taught her to perform specialized magic acts by the age of 13. Form that moment onward, her career took off for the better.

Back in 1952, Lewis’ performance earned her the winning spot on the CBS television series, Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scout. Over the years she received several accords including 12 Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, 7 Parents Choice Awards, Action for Children’s Television Award and the Film Advisory Board Awards for Excellence.

18.Darci Lynne

Lynne is an American ventriloquist, singer, and comedian who has over the years been credited for reviving the art of ventriloquism. Darci ventured into ventriloquism back in 2014 and since then she has received several accords for her unique technique and style in her work.

Lynne first received her national recognition when she appeared on the Little Big Shot back in 2016. Darci also enrolled in the 12^th season of America’s Got Talent and her act became the most viewed act in the show’s history.

She was fortunate enough to win that year’s competition after garnering the most voted. Her acts revived the art of ventriloquism to the world. Back in 2020 an exhibition was dedicated to her performance on the America’s Got Talent Show.

19.Jimmy Nelson

Jimmy Nelson was an American ventriloquist who majorly performed in the 1950’s and 1960’s. His fame can be attributed to the famous Nestle chocolate commercial that featured Farfel and Dog. Jimmy showed interest in ventriloquism at quite a young age after he was gifted with a dummy for Christmas.

Jimmy’s first debut was back in 1950 at the Ed Sullivan Show. Form that moment forward, his career took off for and in the same year he released two LP record, Pinocchio and Jokes and Riddles. In the early 1950’s Jimmy hosted a few shows including Bank on the Stars on NBC and come closer.

20.Otto Petersen

Otto Petersen was an American ventriloquist, comedian and actor who is commonly known for his act Otto and George. His interest in the art of ventriloquism began way back when he was only seven years. He proceeded to purchase his first dummy at a magic shop in Times Square.

Otto never managed to complete his high school as he dropped out to become a performed. He performed his art in the streets on New York. A few years later he moved to performing in local comedy clubs where he had a much larger audience. His technique and style set him apart form the rest in the same art and he became one of the few renowned comedian and ventriloquist.

Ventriloquist for all over the world has carved their places in the entertainment industry. These skilled artists create conversations between themselves and their puppets while still making it seem that the puppets are speaking on their own. This form of art is both entertaining and intriguing to the audience.