David Strassman
RETURN TO INDEX
Born Name:
David Strassman
Born Date: September 6, 1957
Born Place: Los Angeles County, California
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Ventriloquist, stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist
Brief Biography: David Strassman revolutionized the art of ventriloquism by combining traditional performance with modern robotics and dark, adult-oriented comedy. He is widely recognized for his regular international tours, particularly across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Early Life and Career Origins:
Strassman's interest in performance began at age 11 after visiting the Magic Castle in Hollywood. He initially studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and improvisation with Viola Spolin in Chicago. Facing the struggles of a young, starving actor in New York City, he began busking on the streets six nights a week with his primary puppet, Chuck Wood. By the late 1970s and 1980s, Strassman graduated from street performing to headlining prominent American comedy clubs like Catch a Rising Star and The Improv.
The "Puppetronics" Revolution:
Strassman reinvented traditional ventriloquism by introducing aircraft engineering principles to remote-control his dummies. His signature theatrical breakthrough occurred when his puppet, Chuck Wood, "fired" him onstage. Strassman would walk off the stage, leaving the robotic puppet to move, talk, and interact completely on its own, which stunned live audiences.In his advanced shows, like iTedE, Strassman utilizes wireless "Puppetronics" to operate up to five characters simultaneously in a six-way conversation using a handheld remote control.
Core Characters:
Instead of treating puppets as mere vehicles for quick jokes, Strassman approaches them as distinct characters in a play, complete with vulnerabilities, nightmares, and distinct personas:
Chuck Wood: The foul-mouthed, rude, and aggressive 1950s-style wooden dummy who functions as the cynical id to Strassman's ego.
Ted E. Bare: A soft, lovable, and incredibly naive teddy bear. He serves as the sweet and innocent counterweight to Chuck's malice.
Kevin: A sarcastic, hand-operated foam alien who regularly crash-lands on stage to dryly analyze the flaws of the human species.
Sid Beaverman: A struggling beaver puppet attempting to make it as a traditional stand-up comic.
Major Achievements and Shows:
Strassman became the first ventriloquist in three decades to secure a solo show in London’s West End. He won the Critics Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1996. In 2010, he co-created Duality with writer-director Steve Altman, marking the first-ever full-length dramatic stage play written for a ventriloquist. He frequently records his national tours for physical and digital distribution, with prominent titles including Careful What You Wish For, The Chuck You Tour, and The Chocolate Diet.
Born Date: September 6, 1957
Born Place: Los Angeles County, California
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Ventriloquist, stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist
Brief Biography: David Strassman revolutionized the art of ventriloquism by combining traditional performance with modern robotics and dark, adult-oriented comedy. He is widely recognized for his regular international tours, particularly across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Early Life and Career Origins:
Strassman's interest in performance began at age 11 after visiting the Magic Castle in Hollywood. He initially studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and improvisation with Viola Spolin in Chicago. Facing the struggles of a young, starving actor in New York City, he began busking on the streets six nights a week with his primary puppet, Chuck Wood. By the late 1970s and 1980s, Strassman graduated from street performing to headlining prominent American comedy clubs like Catch a Rising Star and The Improv.
The "Puppetronics" Revolution:
Strassman reinvented traditional ventriloquism by introducing aircraft engineering principles to remote-control his dummies. His signature theatrical breakthrough occurred when his puppet, Chuck Wood, "fired" him onstage. Strassman would walk off the stage, leaving the robotic puppet to move, talk, and interact completely on its own, which stunned live audiences.In his advanced shows, like iTedE, Strassman utilizes wireless "Puppetronics" to operate up to five characters simultaneously in a six-way conversation using a handheld remote control.
Core Characters:
Instead of treating puppets as mere vehicles for quick jokes, Strassman approaches them as distinct characters in a play, complete with vulnerabilities, nightmares, and distinct personas:
Chuck Wood: The foul-mouthed, rude, and aggressive 1950s-style wooden dummy who functions as the cynical id to Strassman's ego.
Ted E. Bare: A soft, lovable, and incredibly naive teddy bear. He serves as the sweet and innocent counterweight to Chuck's malice.
Kevin: A sarcastic, hand-operated foam alien who regularly crash-lands on stage to dryly analyze the flaws of the human species.
Sid Beaverman: A struggling beaver puppet attempting to make it as a traditional stand-up comic.
Major Achievements and Shows:
Strassman became the first ventriloquist in three decades to secure a solo show in London’s West End. He won the Critics Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1996. In 2010, he co-created Duality with writer-director Steve Altman, marking the first-ever full-length dramatic stage play written for a ventriloquist. He frequently records his national tours for physical and digital distribution, with prominent titles including Careful What You Wish For, The Chuck You Tour, and The Chocolate Diet.