Top livewire comedian is serious about his art

DON'T worry if you haven't heard of Jeff Dunham - and never mind he's just one of the world's top-grossing comedy acts and at one time, ranked just behind Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock; his YouTube videos have notched up over half a billion hits; and his shows sell out arenas all over the world - because the man goes by many names.

As a ventriloquist, he brings puppets to life on-stage and often gives them such colourful personalities they almost upstage him. Among them are Walter, the grumpy retiree; Bubba J, the beer-guzzling, NASCAR-crazy redneck; and the most famous of them all, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, who now has his own TV show and animated movie.

All of them will be coming to Singapore with the American comedian for the first time next week.