Jeff Dunham

Jeff Dunham, born in 1962 in Dallas Texas, is a comedian and ventriloquist who performs with several puppet characters, including Achmed The Dead Terrorist. He has three specials wich air on Comedy Central: Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself, Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity, and Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special. As of March 2009 he has sold over four million DVDs. The comedian has taped done a ring tone commercial based on his comedy sketch with Achmed performed for Comedy Central. The commercial was banned from TV in South Africa due to claims that it mocks Islam.FOX News: Comedian Defends 'Achmed the Dead Terrorist' Puppet Routine (October 1, 2008)

Dunham began his career performing as a teenager, in various venues such as school, church, and during his job at Six Flags. His first television exposure was doing commercials for Datsun dealerships while still in high school. Dunham made his debut as a ventriloquist on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1990. At the end of his act, he was invited to sit on Johnny Carson’s couch, which is considered a mark of approval. In 2006, Jeff Dunham had his first one hour special, Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself, which was taped in Santa Ana, California, and drew two million viewers when it aired. In addition to building the dummies he uses in his act, Dunham also restores antique ones as a hobby.

Jeff Dunham has raised controversy with one of the puppets in his shows, Achmed The Dead Terrorist, a skeleton puppet who's character is a failed suicide bomber. The character was in a TV commercial for ring tones. The commercial was banned in South Africa by the South Africa's Advertising Standards Authority, which said it was offensive to Muslims, who make up 2 percent of the country's population. Dunham says it's obvious from his show that Achmed is not Muslim.FOX News: Comedian Defends 'Achmed the Dead Terrorist' Puppet Routine (October 1, 2008)

Jeff Dunham has a new show Thursdays at 9/8C on Comedy Central. It features all your favorites like Achmed, Peanut, Walter and many more.

• Walter
• Peanut
• Achmed the Dead Terrorist
• Jose Jalapeno on a Stick
• Bubba J
• Melvin the Superhero Guy