"Hamburger" Jones
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Born Name:
Alonzo Jones
Born Date: ?
Born Place: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Writer, comedian
Brief Biography: Alonzo "Hamburger" Jones rose to national fame in the early 1990s on HBO's Def Comedy Jam. He is widely recognized for his trademark cowboy hat and his signature catchphrase "HAMBURGER," which he stretches out and uses to substitute for profanity or to punctuate jokes.
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
Early Ambitions: He initially aspired to become a radio DJ after his voice changed in the ninth grade.
Accidental Comedy: Before doing stand-up, he hosted local talent and fashion shows. When event production fell behind schedule, organizers ordered him to stall on stage, forcing him to tell jokes and naturally build a comedic repertoire.
Inspirations: Watching legendary comics Eddie Murphy and Robin Harris convinced him to pursue comedy full-time.
Rise to Fame and "Def Comedy Jam:
"The Gimmick: Jones crafted a clean-cut performance style, intentionally avoiding curse words like an "Old West gentleman who does not swear in front of ladies". He filled those vocal gaps by shouting "HAMBURGER" instead.
The Breakthrough: He gained breakout national attention on HBO's Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Despite wearing a cowboy hat during a heavily hip-hop-influenced era, his unique crowd interaction won over initially hostile audiences.
Television Run: Following his success on Def Jam, Jones made appearances on major comedy programs including Showtime at the Apollo, BET's ComicView, Apollo Comedy Hour, and Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed.
Pop Culture Legacy and Current Work:
Parodies: His highly recognizable 1990s persona has been parodied on mainstream animated and sketch programs, including NBC's Saturday Night Live and Fox's Family Guy.
Resurgence: Jones continues to perform active stand-up circuits across North America. He hosts a regular monthly showcase called the "Hamburger Combo" at the New York Comedy Club Upper West Side.
Born Date: ?
Born Place: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Writer, comedian
Brief Biography: Alonzo "Hamburger" Jones rose to national fame in the early 1990s on HBO's Def Comedy Jam. He is widely recognized for his trademark cowboy hat and his signature catchphrase "HAMBURGER," which he stretches out and uses to substitute for profanity or to punctuate jokes.
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
Early Ambitions: He initially aspired to become a radio DJ after his voice changed in the ninth grade.
Accidental Comedy: Before doing stand-up, he hosted local talent and fashion shows. When event production fell behind schedule, organizers ordered him to stall on stage, forcing him to tell jokes and naturally build a comedic repertoire.
Inspirations: Watching legendary comics Eddie Murphy and Robin Harris convinced him to pursue comedy full-time.
Rise to Fame and "Def Comedy Jam:
"The Gimmick: Jones crafted a clean-cut performance style, intentionally avoiding curse words like an "Old West gentleman who does not swear in front of ladies". He filled those vocal gaps by shouting "HAMBURGER" instead.
The Breakthrough: He gained breakout national attention on HBO's Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Despite wearing a cowboy hat during a heavily hip-hop-influenced era, his unique crowd interaction won over initially hostile audiences.
Television Run: Following his success on Def Jam, Jones made appearances on major comedy programs including Showtime at the Apollo, BET's ComicView, Apollo Comedy Hour, and Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed.
Pop Culture Legacy and Current Work:
Parodies: His highly recognizable 1990s persona has been parodied on mainstream animated and sketch programs, including NBC's Saturday Night Live and Fox's Family Guy.
Resurgence: Jones continues to perform active stand-up circuits across North America. He hosts a regular monthly showcase called the "Hamburger Combo" at the New York Comedy Club Upper West Side.