When Somebody asks “how did you decide to be a ventriloquist”, Todd Oliver has an unusual answer. “As a kid I was infatuated with those little Wooden headed dummies! They can get away with saying things everyone is thinking and they always have a charming way to make it funny.”
“I was 10 years old when when I received my first Ventriloquist dummy on Christmas morning. 3 days later my father died from cancer. That little Ventriloquist dummy helped me deal with my loss and sadness. I also discovered that little character could make other people happy too.”
Todd grew up in Minneapolis MN, and went to the library and read everything he could find on Ventriloquism, magic, and show business. He started out as a volunteer and did his act for free. “I would take city buses to nursing homes, hospitals and schools. I carried my dummy in a suitcase and folks thought I was running away from home! On the other hand the audience is a great teacher and I got a great education!”.
After High School Todd toured schools, clubs, 1-niters, and went around the world on cruise ships. Then came 20 years on showboats in Nashville TN and Branson MO. Needing to constantly offer something new to audiences, Todd came up with an idea that changed his life. “One day I was looking at my dog and thought I bet you would have a lot to say if you could talk”. 7 months later Todd’s Boston Terrier “Irving” premiered as America’s real talking dog!
Then came Hollywood agents and a bunch of national TV appearances. David Letterman’s Ventriloquist week, 2 appearances on The Tonight Show, 2 on The Today Show, Craig Ferguson, 2 Walker Texas Ranger episodes, and in 2012 Todd And Irving were a Top 4 finalist on America’s Got Talent.
Now touring, Todd is living his childhood dream playing theaters across the country. “I’ve been very blessed. TV is great fun, but a ventriloquist makes his living doing shows. Making families laugh together is the goal. “My best memories are those of me and my family all laughing together. I want to make that happen for families across America.
You may also like the following events from Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts:
- Next month, 6th June, 07:30 pm, The Coalminers Presents Always Loretta in Franklin
- Next month, 27th June, 07:00 pm, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown in Franklin
- This July, 11th July, 07:00 pm, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown in Franklin
Also check out other
Comedy events in Franklin.
