Jeff Dunham is an American ventriloquist, comedian, and actor. He was born on April 18, 1962, in Dallas, Texas, and began performing ventriloquism at the age of eight. Dunham is known for his comedy shows, which often feature a cast of characters that he created and voices himself, including Walter, Peanut, and Achmed the Dead Terrorist. He has released several comedy specials, DVDs, and albums, and has sold out arenas around the world with his live shows. Dunham has also appeared in several movies and TV shows, including "30 Rock," "The Tonight Show," and "The Drew Carey Show." In addition, he has written a New York Times best-selling autobiography, "All By My Selves: Walter, Peanut, Achmed, and Me." Dunham has won several awards for his comedy, including the Ventriloquist of the Year award from the International Ventriloquist Association and the Comedy Central Stand-Up Comedian of the Year award.