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{{Short description|American entertainer}}
{{Infobox comedian
{{Infobox comedian
| name = Terry Fator
| name = Terry Fator
Line 4: Line 5:
| caption = Fator in [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], 2009
| caption = Fator in [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], 2009
| birth_name = Terry Wayne Fator
| birth_name = Terry Wayne Fator
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|6|10}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|6|10}}<ref>https://uat.initiateconsultancy.com/news/terry-fator-the-unlikely-story-of-a-texas-boy-and-a-100-million-puppet-empire.html</ref>
| birth_place = [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| medium = [[Stand-up comedy|Stand up]], [[television]]
| medium = {{flatlist|
* Stand-up
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Melinda Fator|1991|2010|end=div}}|{{marriage|Taylor Makakoa|2010|2015|end=div}}|{{marriage|Angie Fiore<br>|2015}}}}
* Television
| Political Party = [[Republican]]
}}
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Melinda Fator|1991|2010|end=div}}|{{marriage|Taylor Makakoa|2010|2015|end=div}}|{{marriage|Angie Fiore<br />|2015}}}}
| children =
| children =
| genre = [[Ventriloquism]], [[impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]], [[character comedy]], [[musical comedy]]
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Ventriloquism]]
* [[impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]]
* [[character comedy]]
* [[musical comedy]]
}}
| subject =
| subject =
| years_active = 1975–present
| years_active = 1975–present
Line 18: Line 26:
}}
}}


'''Terry Wayne Fator''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|eɪ|t|ər}}; born June 10, 1965) is an American [[ventriloquism|ventriloquist]], [[impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]], stand-up comedian, and singer from [[Dallas, Texas]]. Fator does ventriloquial impersonations, and uses 15 different puppets in his act. He was the winner of [[America's Got Talent (season 2)|season two]] of ''[[America's Got Talent]]'', and received the million [[United States dollar|dollar]] prize.<ref name="ep12">{{cite episode | title = Results | series = America's Got Talent | serieslink = America's Got Talent (season 2) | airdate = 2007-08-21 | season = 2 | number = 12 }}</ref> The following year, he was signed on as the headliner at [[The Mirage]] hotel and casino in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]] with a five-year, $100 million contract.<ref name="lvrj">{{Cite news|url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/18841474.html |title=Mirage signing 'Talent' winner|last=Clarke|first=Norm|publisher=Las Vegas Review Journal|accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref>
'''Terry Wayne Fator''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|eɪ|t|ər}}) is an American [[ventriloquism|ventriloquist]], [[impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]], stand-up comedian, and singer. Born in [[Dallas, Texas]], he developed an interest in ventriloquism from a young age, developing both this and a talent for singing. After initially performing with two bands, Fator eventually conducted solo performances, combining ventriloquism and singing with comedy. He gained national recognition for his talent when he won the [[America's Got Talent (season 2)|second season]] of ''[[America's Got Talent]]'', which helped to boost his career.<ref name="ep12">{{cite episode | title = Results | series = America's Got Talent | series-link = America's Got Talent (season 2) | airdate = 2007-08-21 | season = 2 | number = 12 }}</ref>

His success led to him receiving a five-year multi-million dollar contract to headline shows in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]].<ref name="lvrj">{{Cite news|url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/18841474.html |title=Mirage signing 'Talent' winner|last=Clarke|first=Norm|publisher=Las Vegas Review Journal|access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> From 2009 to 2020, he was the headliner at [[Mirage Las Vegas]]. Since 2021, he performs regularly at [[New York-New York Hotel and Casino]]. He has used his performances and talent to help contribute to charitable causes. Fator is consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid comedians.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Ariel |title=The Highest-Earning Stand-Up Comedians Of 2019 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielshapiro/2019/08/16/the-highest-earning-stand-up-comedians-of-2019/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}2019
</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuccinello |first=Hayley C. |title=The World's Highest-Paid Comedians Of 2018 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hayleycuccinello/2018/12/19/the-worlds-highest-paid-comedians-of-2018/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Berg |first=Madeline |title=The World's Highest-Paid Comedians 2017: Jerry Seinfeld Returns To The Top Spot |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2017/07/27/the-worlds-highest-paid-comedians-2017-jerry-seinfeld-returns-to-the-top-spot/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Terry Wayne Fator was born June 10, 1965, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Jephtha Wesley and Edith Marie Clifton,<ref name=familysearch>{{cite web| url =https://familysearch.org/search/collection/results?count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3ATerry~%20%2Bsurname%3AFator~%20%2Bbirth_place%3ATexas~%20%2Bbirth_year%3A1965-1965~%20%2Bgender%3AM&collection_id=1949342| title=Terry Wayne Fator|publisher= Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997, via FamilySearch.org| accessdate= September 27, 2016}}</ref> later known as Marie Sligh.<ref name="cedar" /> He has an older brother, Jephtha Jr.,<ref>{{cite web| url =https://familysearch.org/search/collection/results?count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3AJephtha~%20%2Bsurname%3AFator~%20%2Bbirth_place%3ATexas~%20%2Bgender%3AM&collection_id=1949342| title=Jephtha Wesley Jr. Fator|publisher= Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997, via FamilySearch.org| accessdate= September 27, 2016}}</ref> and a younger sister, Deborah.<ref>{{cite web| url =https://familysearch.org/search/collection/results?count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3ADeborah~%20%2Bsurname%3AFator~%20%2Bbirth_place%3ATexas~%20%2Bgender%3AF&collection_id=1949342| title=Deborah Yvonne Fator|publisher= Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997, via FamilySearch.org| accessdate= September 27, 2016}}</ref> Fator's [[second cousin]] is [[Chris Sligh]], an ''[[American Idol]]'' [[American Idol (season 6)|season six]] finalist.<ref name="cedar">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cedarcreekpilot.com/features/local_story_186120320.html|title=He’s Got Talent|last=Arnsdorff|first=Janice|accessdate=July 5, 2007| archivedate= September 28, 2007| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928130548/http://www.cedarcreekpilot.com/features/local_story_186120320.html}}</ref> Terry Fator says in his audio commentary of ''Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas (2009)'' that he went to college at Liberty University in [[Lynchburg, Virginia|Lynchburg]], [[Virginia]]. The beginning of Fator's ventriloquism career dates back to when he was in fifth grade.<ref name="cedar"/><ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/> While searching for a book for an assignment on [[Valentine's Day]], he came across a book about ventriloquism<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/> titled, ''Ventriloquism for Fun and Profit'', by [[Paul Winchell]].<ref name="ABC">{{Cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5499615|title=ABCNews Now. "America's Human Jukebox" by Alisha Davis.|accessdate=August 1, 2008}}</ref> Fator checked out the book and started learning about ventriloquism.<ref name="cedar"/> A few weeks later, Fator purchased a Willie Talk dummy from [[Sears]]<ref name="cedar"/> and soon won a $25 prize for a performance at a church picnic.<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/><ref name="ABC"/>
Terry Fator was born in Dallas, Texas. Terry Fator says in his audio commentary of ''Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas (2009)'' that he went to college at Liberty University in [[Lynchburg, Virginia|Lynchburg]], [[Virginia]]. The beginning of Fator's ventriloquism career dates back to when he was in fifth grade.<ref name="cedar"/><ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/> While searching for a book for an assignment on [[Valentine's Day]], he came across a book about ventriloquism<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/> titled, ''Ventriloquism for Fun and Profit'', by [[Paul Winchell]].<ref name="ABC">{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5499615|title=ABCNews Now. "America's Human Jukebox" by Alisha Davis.|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=August 1, 2008}}</ref> Fator checked out the book and started learning about ventriloquism.<ref name="cedar"/> A few weeks later, Fator purchased a Willie Talk dummy from [[Sears]]<ref name="cedar"/> and soon won a $25 prize for a performance at a church picnic.<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/><ref name="ABC"/>


Fator got his first ventriloquism dummy when he was ten years old.<ref name="PCOLJoplin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.joplinglobe.com/enjoy/local_story_192184535.html?keyword=secondarystory |title=He's no dummy: 'America's Got Talent' winner to perform in Branson |last=Hadsall |first=Joe |publisher=The Joplin Globe |accessdate=July 10, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Throughout his childhood, Fator entertained family and friends with his ventriloquism and did impersonations of singers and actors.<ref name="cedar"/> Fator's mother saved up her money for three years and bought him his first puppet when he was 18 years old.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fator|first=Terry|title=Who's the dummy now?|year=2008|publisher=New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hNmiOAAACAAJ&dq=terry+fator+who%27s+the+dummy+now&source=bl&ots=1MlAFjxbe-&sig=VGEBmumqsLumswK6HlPGkz1cHVM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PymHUPv-DpHc8wS-vYHYCA&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA|location=[Sydney]|isbn=9781741107289}}</ref>
Fator got his first ventriloquism dummy when he was ten years old.<ref name="PCOLJoplin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.joplinglobe.com/enjoy/local_story_192184535.html?keyword=secondarystory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204112657/http://www.joplinglobe.com/enjoy/local_story_192184535.html?keyword=secondarystory |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 4, 2008 |title=He's no dummy: 'America's Got Talent' winner to perform in Branson |last=Hadsall |first=Joe |publisher=The Joplin Globe |access-date=July 10, 2008 }}</ref> Throughout his childhood, Fator entertained family and friends with his ventriloquism and did impersonations of singers and actors.<ref name="cedar"/> Fator's mother saved up her money for three years and bought him his first puppet when he was 18 years old.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fator|first=Terry|title=Who's the dummy now?|year=2008|publisher=New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hNmiOAAACAAJ&q=terry+fator+who%27s+the+dummy+now|location=[Sydney]|isbn=9781741107289}}</ref> Fator says he found he had the ability to impersonate singers by practicing ventriloquism while driving his car. "One of the reasons I learned how to sing as a ventriloquist was because I like singing in the car," Fator says. "I’d see other people singing in the car, and they looked goofy, so I’d do it without moving my lips."<ref name=PCOLJoplin/>


==Career==
Fator says he found he had the ability to impersonate singers by practicing ventriloquism while driving his car. "One of the reasons I learned how to sing as a ventriloquist was because I like singing in the car," Fator says. "I’d see other people singing in the car, and they looked goofy, so I’d do it without moving my lips."<ref name=PCOLJoplin/>
===Early years===
{{multiple image
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| footer =Fator at the [[Poncan Theatre]] in [[Ponca City, Oklahoma]] on May 6, 2008 with Winston the Impersonating Turtle (top), Johnny Vegas (middle), and Walter T. Airedale (bottom)
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Fator got his start touring as the lead singer of the band "Freedom Jam" in 1987–88, produced by Young American Showcase, taking part in performances at over 200 high schools and middle schools across the United States and Canada, and averaging around three performances per school day. In mid-1988, he became the lead singer for the showband 'Texas the Band',<ref>{{Cite news| first=Marilyn Johnson | last=Chase | title=Texas lights fans' fire: Admirers flock from afar to hear 'uncommon' band | date=October 15, 1989 | url =http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3D0A42F29F290&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | work= Dalas News |access-date = 2007-10-10 }}</ref> incorporating his puppet Walter T. Airedale into his shows. The band dropped plans to sign to a major record label, when a representative from the brand asked Fator to sing in his own voice, upon noticing he sang songs by impersonating their original vocalists.<ref name="PCOLArgusleader">{{Cite web|url=http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/ENT/805010327/1005/ent|title=A man worth a million voices|last=Kirschenmann|first=Jay|publisher=Argus Leader|access-date=May 1, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
==Band membership==
Fator got his start touring as the lead singer of a band called "Freedom Jam" in 1987-88, produced by Young American Showcase. They performed at over 200 high schools and middle schools across the United States and Canada, averaging three performances per school day.
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Freedom jam.jpg|right|thumb|Fator (center) with Freedom Jam in Young American Showcase{{deletable image-caption|Wednesday, 21 June 2017|PROD}}]] -->In mid-1988, he was the lead singer of a show band called 'Texas the Band'<ref>{{Cite news| first=Marilyn Johnson | last=Chase | title=Texas lights fans' fire: Admirers flock from afar to hear `uncommon' band | date=October 15, 1989 | url =http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3D0A42F29F290&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | work= Dalas News |accessdate = 2007-10-10 }}</ref> when he was 23, and incorporated his puppet Walter T. Airedale into his shows. Fator's band at one point was about to sign with a major record label and one of the label's representatives came to hear the band. Fator sang the songs impersonating the original vocalists. "He told me 'you gotta stop doing those impressions,' and wanted me to sing in my own voice," Fator says. "I tried it for a few weeks, and absolutely hated it. We told the record company 'no thanks.'"<ref name="PCOLArgusleader">{{Cite web|url=http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/ENT/805010327/1005/ent|title=A man worth a million voices|last=Kirschenmann|first=Jay|publisher=Argus Leader|accessdate=May 1, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>


After leaving the band, Fator began doing solo acts that combined comedy and ventriloquism but struggled for several years to achieve success. Alongside having to conduct events at [[fair]]s, sometimes suffering [[heat stroke]] when assigned to performing routines during hot afternoons,<ref name=PCOLArgusleader/> he suffered a setback in one performance when his show in a 1,000-seat theater was attended by only a single person .<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8753157|title=Terry Fator's dummy ditties|last=Burger|first=David|publisher=Salt Lake City Tribune|access-date=April 1, 2008}}</ref> Discouraged, Fator contemplated pursuing another career but was encouraged by his family not to give up. This led to him expanding his routines to combine singing, ventriloquism and comedy,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/terry-fator-turns-most-unhip-showbiz-gig-100-million-career |title=Terry Fator turns most unhip showbiz gig into $100-million career|work=tampabay.com |access-date=2012-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913061355/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/terry-fator-turns-most-unhip-showbiz-gig-100-million-career |archive-date=2011-09-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and sometimes conducting impersonation of notable singers such as [[Garth Brooks]], [[Etta James]], [[James Taylor]], and [[Dean Martin]]. Despite this, he remained less than optimistic to maintain a career as a ventriloquist, let alone achieve success:<ref name=PCOLTampa/>
==Combining singing and ventriloquism==
Fator left the band and did a solo act combining comedy and ventriloquism but for many years had little success. "[[Fair]]s would stick me on a little stage in the back of fair and have me do three shows in the hottest part of the afternoon," related Fator. "I had [[heat stroke]] a couple of times, almost passed out."<ref name=PCOLArgusleader/>


<blockquote>"It wasn't easy trying to keep going all these years, and by the time I was in my late 30s, I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen."</blockquote>
The low point of his career, Fator said, was when he appeared at a 1,000 seat theater and had only one person in the audience.<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8753157|title=Terry Fator's dummy ditties|last=Burger|first=David|publisher=Salt Lake City Tribune|accessdate=April 1, 2008}}</ref> Discouraged, Fator contemplated pursuing another career, but his family encouraged him to continue. Terry entered the ''America's Got Talent'' competition with the hope that the exposure if he made it to the Top 20 might help his career and cause people to want to attend his shows.


Fator's success stems from combining singing, ventriloquism, and comedy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/terry-fator-turns-most-unhip-showbiz-gig-100-million-career |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913061355/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/terry-fator-turns-most-unhip-showbiz-gig-100-million-career |archive-date=2011-09-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Fator was the lead singer in bands and often did impersonations of singers [[Garth Brooks]], [[Etta James]], [[James Taylor]] and [[Dean Martin]], while ventriloquism had been just a comic side gig for him. In 2005, Fator decided to combine his talents, singing, ventriloquism, comedy, and [[impersonation]]s.<ref name="cedar"/> "I had one of my characters sing Garth Brooks' "[[Friends in Low Places]]" and the audience went crazy," Fator said. "Boy, that was when my life changed." After his initial success Fator revamped his act. "It took me six months and I completely rewrote the show," says Fator. "It was then that people really noticed and I started getting standing ovations at the end of every show,"<ref name=PCOLStpetersburg>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/features/events/article458060.ece|title=Ventriloquist Terry Fator's got talent|last=Wynne|first=Sharon Kennedy|publisher=TampaBay.com|accessdate=April 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204144629/http://www.tampabay.com/features/events/article458060.ece|archive-date=December 4, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
In 2005, he eventually included impersonations into his routines,<ref name="cedar"/> when performing on "[[Friends in Low Places]]". This decision ultimately proved effective, winning him critical reception from the audience and raising his hopes, with Fator revamping and rewriting his routines to accommodate the elements that made his performance a hit and continued to prove a success in future.<ref name=PCOLStpetersburg>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/features/events/article458060.ece|title=Ventriloquist Terry Fator's got talent|last=Wynne|first=Sharon Kennedy|publisher=TampaBay.com|access-date=April 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204144629/http://www.tampabay.com/features/events/article458060.ece|archive-date=December 4, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> His success eventually landed him opportunities to perform at corporate functions for [[General Motors]] and [[AT&T]], and serve as an opening act for [[Reba McEntire]], Garth Brooks, [[Neal McCoy]], and [[Styx (band)|Styx]].


===''America's Got Talent''===
Prior to winning ''America's Got Talent'', Fator opened for [[Reba McEntire]], Garth Brooks, [[Neal McCoy]], and [[Styx (band)|Styx]]. Fator also performed for corporate giants [[General Motors]] and [[AT&T]].
On June 19, 2007, Fator made his first national appearance on ''America's Got Talent''. Speaking on the experience, he said, "Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would win that show ... Essentially I auditioned because the guy that was the ventriloquist the first season got on ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''... So I figured I'd do three episodes like he did and end up on 'David Letterman'."<ref name=PCOLSpringfield>{{Cite web |url=http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/ENTERTAINMENT01/807100304/1005/ENTERTAINMENT |title=Look, who's talking now? |last=Hocklander |first=Sony |publisher=Springfield News Leader |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329082306/http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080710%2FENTERTAINMENT01%2F807100304%2F1005%2FENTERTAINMENT |archive-date=March 29, 2014 }}</ref> After winning the show, Fator actually had to turn the Letterman gig down fourteen times before his schedule was clear so he could appear. "My schedule got so packed, and it broke my heart every time I had to turn him down," Fator said.<ref name=PCOLJoplin/>


When Fator first came onstage, judge [[David Hasselhoff]] said, "Oh, no, a ventriloquist."<ref name=PCOLTampa/> "I was thinking, there's no way I would win," Fator says. "I gave myself zero percent [chance]." The judges, [[Piers Morgan]], [[Sharon Osbourne]], and Hasselhoff loved Fator and he eventually won the competition.<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/> Morgan told Fator "You're a great impersonator, a great singer and a great comedian."<ref name="PCOLTimes">{{Cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2307616.ece|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110517104145/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2307616.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 17, 2011|title=Ventriloquist Terry Fator wins America's Got Talent|last=Schmidt|first=Veronica|publisher=Times Online|access-date=August 22, 2007 | location=London | date=August 22, 2007}}</ref> Even Simon Cowell approved. "Simon Cowell said I was one of the top two entertainers on the planet," says Fator. "And getting a compliment from Simon Cowell, well, not many people get a compliment like that."<ref name=PCOLSpringfield/>
==Success on ''America's Got Talent''==
[[Image:Terry Fator 06.jpg|thumb|right|Fator at the [[Poncan Theatre]] in [[Ponca City, Oklahoma]] on May 6, 2008 with Winston the Impersonating Turtle]]
[[Image:Terry Fator 04.jpg|thumb|right|Fator with Johnny Vegas]]
[[Image:Terry Fator 02.jpg|thumb|right|Fator with Walter T. Airedale]]
Before appearing on ''America's Got Talent'', Fator had almost given up on achieving success in show business as a ventriloquist. "It wasn't easy trying to keep going all these years, and by the time I was in my late 30s, I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen," says Fator.<ref name=PCOLTampa/>


===Post-''America's Got Talent''===
On June 19, 2007, Fator made his first national appearance on ''America's Got Talent''. Speaking on the experience, he said, "Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would win that show ... Essentially I auditioned because the guy that was the ventriloquist the first season got on ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''... So I figured I'd do three episodes like he did and end up on 'David Letterman'."<ref name=PCOLSpringfield>{{Cite web |url=http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/ENTERTAINMENT01/807100304/1005/ENTERTAINMENT |title=Look, who's talking now? |last=Hocklander |first=Sony |publisher=Springfield News Leader |accessdate=July 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329082306/http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080710%2FENTERTAINMENT01%2F807100304%2F1005%2FENTERTAINMENT |archivedate=March 29, 2014 }}</ref> After winning the show, Fator actually had to turn the Letterman gig down fourteen times before his schedule was clear so he could appear. "My schedule got so packed, and it broke my heart every time I had to turn him down," Fator says.<ref name=PCOLJoplin/>
Following his win, it was announced on the show that in conjunction with winning, he was to appear at the Jubilee Theatre at [[Bally's Las Vegas]]. However, the spots were only going to be 15 minutes long, and in mutual cooperation with his management team and Bally's, the plan was dropped.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} Fator performed at Christian singer [[Larry Norman]]'s 60th birthday party in April 2007.<ref name="larrynorman">Fator's MySpace blog, April 23, 2007</ref> Later Fator flew Larry to tapings of ''America's Got Talent'' and also to his debut show at the [[Las Vegas Hilton]] as an honored guest.


On October 14 and 15, 2007, after winning ''America's Got Talent'', Fator performed at the [[Las Vegas Hilton]]; both shows were sold out. He performed several more shows there in December. That month, he signed a contract for $1.5 million with the Las Vegas Hilton to do three shows a month from January 2008 to May 2008. Also in 2007, Fator became an official supporter of [[Ronald McDonald House Charities]] and is a member of their celebrity board, called the Friends of RMHC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rmhc.com/celebrity-friends/ |title=Celebrity Friends of RMHC |publisher=McDonald's Corporation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628042918/http://www.rmhc.com/celebrity-friends/ |archive-date=2008-06-28 }}</ref>
When Fator first came onstage, judge [[David Hasselhoff]] said, "Oh, no, a ventriloquist."<ref name=PCOLTampa/> "I was thinking, there's no way I would win," Fator says. "I gave myself zero percent [chance]." The judges, [[Piers Morgan]], [[Sharon Osbourne]] and David Hasselhoff loved Fator and he won the competition.<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/> Judge Piers Morgan told Fator "You’re a great impersonator, a great singer and a great comedian." "You put a twist on the whole being a ventriloquist thing," added Judge Sharon Osbourne.<ref name="PCOLTimes">{{Cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2307616.ece|title=Ventriloquist Terry Fator wins America's Got Talent|last=Schmidt|first=Veronica|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=August 22, 2007 | location=London | date=August 22, 2007}}</ref> Even Simon Cowell approved. "Simon Cowell said I was one of the top two entertainers on the planet," says Fator. "And getting a compliment from Simon Cowell, well, not many people get a compliment like that."<ref name=PCOLSpringfield/>


On March 17, 2008, Fator appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' along with ''American Idol'' judge and AGT creator & executive producer [[Simon Cowell]]. To the amazement of Winfrey, Cowell referred to Fator as one of the "two most talented people on the planet." Fator performed with three of his dummies; country singer Walter T. Airedale performed a Garth Brooks song and Winston the impersonating Turtle sang a [[Bee Gees]] song. Julius performed a [[Marvin Gaye]] song; Julius was a favorite when he appeared on ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''.<ref name=PCOLJoplin/> "As soon as I brought out Julius, she had this look on her face, wondering what I was about to do," Fator said.<ref name=PCOLJoplin/> "Once I started into [[Marvin Gaye]], she fell out of her chair."<ref name=PCOLJoplin/> On May 13 of that year it was announced that Fator had signed a five-year, $100 million contract to perform nightly at [[The Mirage]] on the [[Las Vegas Strip]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegashotels.com/index.php/blog/post/325/terry-fator-at-the-mirage-singing-turtle-and-a-seven-piece-band.htm|title=Reserved – Trakk.com|website=www.lasvegashotels.com}}</ref> He replaced headliner [[Danny Gans]] and the theater was renamed the Terry Fator Theatre. Reportedly, Fator's deal was one of the largest entertainment deals in Las Vegas history.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-06-16-talent-fator_N.htm |title=For Terry Fator Talent opened a lot of doors |publisher=USAToday | first=Gary | last=Strauss | date=June 16, 2008 | access-date=May 25, 2010}}</ref>
===Performances===
{|class="wikitable"
! Week
! Song choice
! Original artist
! Puppet
! Result
|-
| Chicago<br/>audition
| "[[At Last]]"
| Etta James
| Emma Taylor
| Advanced
|-
| Vegas Verdicts
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| Advanced
|-
| Top 20<br/>Group 2
| "[[What a Wonderful World]]"<br/><small>([[Kermit the Frog]]<br/>impersonation)</small>
| [[Louis Armstrong]]
| Winston the Turtle
| Safe
|-
| Top 10
| "[[Unforgettable (Nat King Cole song)|Unforgettable]]"
| [[Nat King Cole]]
| Emma Taylor
| Safe
|-
| Top 8
| "[[That's Amore]]"<br/>"[[I Left My Heart in San Francisco]]"
| [[Dean Martin]]<br/>[[Tony Bennett]]
| Johnny Vegas
| Safe
|-
| Top 4<br/>Judges' Choice<br/>Contestant's Choice
| "[[Friends in Low Places]]"<br/>"[[Crying (Roy Orbison song)|Crying]]"
| [[Garth Brooks]]<br/>[[Roy Orbison]]
| Walter T Airedale<br/>Winston the Turtle
| N/A
|-
| Finale
| "[[You've Got a Friend]]"
| [[James Taylor]]
| Johnny Vegas<br/>Kermit the Frog
| Winner
|}{{Clear}}


In 2009, Fator published the autobiography ''Who's the Dummy Now?''.<ref name=PCOLSpringfield/> On September 10, 2008, Fator reappeared as a guest on ''America's Got Talent'' for their Top Twenty Results Show. He brought back a larger Winston the Impersonating Turtle to sing the Marvin Gaye song "[[Let's Get It On (song)|Let's Get It On]]". Maynard Thomkins was also brought on to sing "[[Viva Las Vegas (song)|Viva Las Vegas]]". Winston was not the only puppet that was reconfigured, for on an August 1, 2008, ABC News Now interview, he brought a reshaped Emma Taylor to sing "[[At Last]]."<ref name="ABC"/> Fator has fought to be taken seriously as a ventriloquist. "There have been so few good, successful ventriloquists – [[Edgar Bergen]] in the 1940s and [[Paul Winchell]] in the 1960s were respected and successful," says Fator. "And in the 1970s, I used to watch [[Willie Tyler]] and his Lester as well as [[Jay Johnson (ventriloquist)|Jay Johnson]] and Bob. But over the years, there have been so many bad ventriloquists - and most of them doing corny shows for children - that people began to think of us as a bad joke."<ref name="PCOLTampa">{{Cite news |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/16/na-patient-ventriloquist-proves-hes-no-dummy-as-he/ |title=Patient Ventriloquist Proves He's No Dummy As He Turns 'Talent' Win Into Big-Time Tour |last=Belcher |first=Walt |publisher=The Tampa Tribune |access-date=April 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420061224/http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/16/na-patient-ventriloquist-proves-hes-no-dummy-as-he/ |archive-date=April 20, 2008 }}</ref>
==Life after ''America's Got Talent''==
It was announced on the show that in conjunction with winning, he was to appear at the Jubilee Theatre at [[Bally's]]. However, the spots were only going to be 15 minutes long, and in complete mutual cooperation with his management team and Bally's, the plan was dropped.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} Fator performed at Christian rock legend [[Larry Norman]]'s 60th birthday party in April 2007.<ref name="larrynorman">Fator's MySpace blog, April 23, 2007</ref> Later Fator flew Larry to tapings of ''America's Got Talent'' and also to his debut show at the [[Las Vegas Hilton]] as an honored guest. Norman told friends shortly before his death that it was one of the most fun years of his life{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}.


Also, on September 14, 2011, he was invited once again to perform as a guest on the finals of ''America's Got Talent''. This time he brought Julius, the soul singer, and performed "[[Ain't No Sunshine]]".
On October 14 and 15, 2007, after winning ''America's Got Talent'', Fator took the stage of the Las Vegas Hilton (formerly the International, the same stage that [[Elvis Presley]] performed on for many years). Both shows were sold out to standing room only. Another show was added for December 3 to satisfy the demand for tickets.


In 2013, he voiced a character on the [[Disney Channel]] show ''[[Mickey Mouse (2013 TV series)|Mickey Mouse]]''. On May 30 of that year, Fator celebrated his 1,000th show at The Mirage Hotel & Casino and returned to perform as a guest on ''[[America's Got Talent]]'' during the Top 12 results show four months later on September 11.
In early December 2007, Fator signed a contract for $1.5 million with the Las Vegas Hilton to do three shows a month from January 2008 to May 2008. Fator also performed a 6 p.m. early family New Year's Eve show on December 31, 2007.


On September 16, 2015, Fator made a guest appearance on ''America's Got Talent'' during the finals show, performing alongside the eventual tenth-season winner, ventriloquist [[Paul Zerdin]]. On September 20, 2017, he made another guest appearance during AGT's twelfth-season finale, performing alongside eventual winner [[Darci Lynne]], another singing ventriloquist.
In 2007, Fator became an official supporter of [[Ronald McDonald House Charities]] and is a member of their celebrity board, called the Friends of RMHC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rmhc.com/celebrity-friends/ |title=Celebrity Friends of RMHC |publisher=McDonald's Corporation |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628042918/http://www.rmhc.com/celebrity-friends/ |archivedate=2008-06-28 }}</ref>
In AGT's 17th season he entered the competition, and although he was eliminated before the finals, he performed with Ana-Maria Mărgean another singing ventiloquist on September 27, 2022.
In July 2020, Fator's residency at the Mirage in Las Vegas ended after 11 years.


On May 26 2024 Terry started a new residency at The STRAT in Las Vegas featuring a state-of-the-art theater and combined his natural talent with 21st century technology. Regarded by the vast majority of those who have seen the show as the best show Terry has ever performed in 17 years as a Las Vegas headliner.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vitalvegas.com/ventriloquist-terry-fators-show-to-close-at-mirage/ |title=Ventriloquist Terry Fator's Show to Close at Mirage |first=Scott |last=Roeben |date=February 29, 2020}}</ref>
On March 17, 2008, Fator appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' along with ''American Idol'' Judge [[Simon Cowell]]. To the amazement of Oprah, Cowell referred to Fator as one of the "two most talented people on the planet." Fator performed with three of his dummies; country singer Walter T. Airedale performed a Garth Brooks song and Winston the impersonating Turtle sang a [[Bee Gees]] song. Julius performed a [[Marvin Gaye]] song; Julius was a favorite when he appeared on ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''.<ref name=PCOLJoplin/> "As soon as I brought out Julius, she had this look on her face, wondering what I was about to do," Fator said.<ref name=PCOLJoplin/> "Once I started into [[Marvin Gaye]], she fell out of her chair."<ref name=PCOLJoplin/>

On May 13, 2008 it was announced that Fator had signed a five-year, $100 million contract to perform nightly at [[The Mirage]] on the [[Las Vegas Strip]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegashotels.com/index.php/blog/post/325/terry-fator-at-the-mirage-singing-turtle-and-a-seven-piece-band.htm|title=Reserved – Trakk.com|website=www.lasvegashotels.com}}</ref> He replaced headliner [[Danny Gans]] and the theater was renamed the Terry Fator Theatre. Reportedly, Fator's deal is one of the largest entertainment deals in Las Vegas history.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-06-16-talent-fator_N.htm |title=For Terry Fator Talent opened a lot of doors |publisher=USAToday | first=Gary | last=Strauss | date=June 16, 2008 | accessdate=May 25, 2010}}</ref>

Fator announced in July 2008 that he was at work on a book. "I never thought in my whole life I would write a whole book. It's called 'Who's the Dummy Now?'"<ref name=PCOLSpringfield/> Fator announced at the 2008 [[Bloomsburg Fair]] on the week of September 20–27, 2008 that he finished his book.

On September 10, 2008, Fator reappeared on ''America's Got Talents Top Twenty Results Show'' as a guest. He brought back a larger Winston the Impersonating Turtle to sing Marvin Gaye's song, "Let's Get It On." Maynard Thomkins was also brought on to sing "[[Viva Las Vegas (song)|Viva Las Vegas]]". Winston was not the only puppet that was reconfigured; on an August 1, 2008 ABC News Now interview, he brought a reshaped Emma Taylor to sing "At Last."<ref name="ABC"/>

Also, on September 14, 2011, he was invited once again to perform as a guest on the Finals of ''America's Got Talent''. This time he brought Julius, the soul singer, that performed "[[Ain't No Sunshine]]".

In 2013, he voiced a character on the [[Disney Channel]] show [[Mickey Mouse (2013 TV series)|Mickey Mouse]].

On May 30, 2013, Fator celebrated his 1,000th show at The Mirage Hotel & Casino.

On September 11, 2013, Fator returned to perform as a guest on ''[[America's Got Talent]]'' during the Top 12 results show.

On September 16, 2015, Fator made a guest appearance on ''America's Got Talent'' during the finals show, performing alongside eventual tenth-season winner and ventriloquist [[Paul Zerdin]].

On September 20, 2017, Fator made another guest appearance during the twelfth-season finale, performing alongside eventual winner [[Darci Lynne]], another singing ventriloquist.

==Getting ventriloquism taken seriously==
Fator has fought to be taken seriously as a ventriloquist. "There have been so few good, successful ventriloquists – [[Edgar Bergen]] in the 1940s and [[Paul Winchell]] in the 1960s were respected and successful," says Fator. "And in the 1970s, I used to watch [[Willie Tyler]] and his Lester as well as [[Jay Johnson (ventriloquist)|Jay Johnson]] and Bob. But over the years, there have been so many bad ventriloquists - and most of them doing corny shows for children - that people began to think of us as a bad joke."<ref name="PCOLTampa">{{Cite news |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/16/na-patient-ventriloquist-proves-hes-no-dummy-as-he/ |title=Patient Ventriloquist Proves He's No Dummy As He Turns 'Talent' Win Into Big-Time Tour |last=Belcher |first=Walt |publisher=The Tampa Tribune |accessdate=April 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420061224/http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/16/na-patient-ventriloquist-proves-hes-no-dummy-as-he/ |archivedate=April 20, 2008 }}</ref>

==Puppets==
This is a list of character names for the puppets that Fator uses during his shows at The Mirage:
* Winston the Impersonating Turtle – Fator's main puppet. A talking turtle who can do impressions; designed by Paul Andrejco and built by Puppet Heap.
* Walter T. Airdale – A country singer.
* Emma Taylor – A little girl who sings and does impressions of female singers (mostly [[Etta James]], for example); designed by Paul Andrejco and built by Puppet Heap.
* Maynard Thompkins – The world's most famous Elvis impersonator who does not know any songs by Elvis.
* Julius – A soul singer; people are sometimes initially shocked by Julius as an [[African-American]] puppet; designed by Lauren Attinello and built by [[Puppet Heap]].
* Monte Carlo (formerly known as Johnny Vegas) – A lounge singer; often impersonating [[Dean Martin]], [[Tony Bennett]], etc.
* Duggie Scott Walker – Introduced as Fator's annoying neighbor, he is a heavy metal music lover; loves [[AC/DC]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], and others; partied so much at concerts he always thinks there are strobe lights flashing; designed by Paul Andrejco and built by Puppet Heap.
* Vikki the Cougar – A (perpetual) 49-year-old female singer, singing songs from the [[Pussycat Dolls]] as an example; as her name implies, she prefers dating younger men, between the ages of 21 and 25, as she revealed in an interview for Las Vegas [[CBS]] affiliate [[KLAS-TV]]; built by Axtell Expressions.
* Hyphen - The 5th member of The Beatles until he got kicked out and decided to go solo.
* Wrex the Crash Test Dummy – A [[crash test dummy]] that sings [[automobile]]-themed songs; designed by Paul Andrejco and built by Puppet Heap.
* Barry Fabulous - Terry's attorney.
* Rusty the Robot - The Mirage's prototype robot, designed to do the jobs of any or all employees.
* Fernando V. Francisco - A lover of beautiful women and beautiful songs, if Julio Iglesias and the Most Interesting Man in the World had a child it would be Fernando.
* Kani Kapila - A popular Hawaiian singer.

In recent years, Fator has created numerous puppets based on real performers:
*Bing Crosby - based on multimedia star [[Bing Crosby]].
*Donald Trump - based on billionaire and 45th President of the United States [[Donald Trump]].
*David Bowie - based on singer-songwriter [[David Bowie]].
*Elton John - based on singer and pianist [[Elton John]].
*Michael Jackson - based on The King of Pop: singer and dancer [[Michael Jackson]]; designed by Chance Wolf and built by Wolf VENTS.
*Paul McCartney - based on one of the members of the popular band, "The Beatles."
*Justin Bieber - based on Canadian singer-songwriter [[Justin Bieber]]; designed by Chance Wolf and built by Wolf VENTS.
*Dean Martin - based on The King of Cool: singer and comedian [[Dean Martin]].
*Sammy Davis Jr. - based on The Candy Man: singer and dancer [[Sammy Davis Jr.]]; designed by Chance Wolf and built by Wolf VENTS.
*Willie Nelson - based on country music singer [[Willie Nelson]]; designed by Manfred Werner and built by Werner Puppets.
*Stevie Wonder - based on soul, pop and R&B legend [[Stevie Wonder]]; designed by Manfred Werner and built by Werner Puppets.
*Frank Sinatra - based on the highly popular and influential artist [[Frank Sinatra]] (upcoming); designed by Manfred Werner and built by Werner Puppets.

Fator is consistently creating new characters.

==Other characters==
Fator has often impersonated singers himself alongside his puppets and/or volunteers from the audience. [[Michael Jackson]] has been a regular figure Fator impersonates alongside his Walter T. Airedale puppet. Fator also has incorporated audience members into his act via a remote-control mask. A volunteer wears the mask and the remote allows Fator to move the mask's mouth with Fator providing all of the conversation and singing. Fator usually dresses the volunteer as [[Cher]] and performs the duet "[[I Got You, Babe]]" with Fator as [[Sonny Bono]].


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Fator's [[second cousin]] is [[Chris Sligh]], an ''[[American Idol]]'' [[American Idol (season 6)|season six]] finalist.<ref name="cedar">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cedarcreekpilot.com/features/local_story_186120320.html|title=He's Got Talent|last=Arnsdorff|first=Janice|access-date=July 5, 2007| archive-date= September 28, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928130548/http://www.cedarcreekpilot.com/features/local_story_186120320.html}}</ref>
{{BLP unsourced section|date=March 2018}}
Fator was the lead singer of a local band called Texas The Band during the late-1980s through 2001, and met his first wife, Melinda, after she began to follow the band extensively. They married on January 8, 1991. Prior to landing his show in Las Vegas, Terry and his wife bought a home he deemed his "dream house". Melinda left Terry in January 2009 and returned to Texas from Las Vegas where they had recently moved. She filed for divorce in February 2009 in Texas. Almost a year-and-a-half into the divorce, she then filed a second time in Nevada in 2010. After almost two years, a settlement was reached in November 2010. On November 3, 2010, one day after the divorce was finalized, Terry married Taylor Makakoa (who, identified in the closing credits as "Taylor Dew", appears on Terry's DVD as his on-stage assistant) in Las Vegas. They had a wedding ceremony in Hawaii on November 7, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Terry Fator on His Divorce, Where Are They Now, Oprah Winfrey Network |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlnZ_Thrw5g |website=Youtube |publisher=Oprah Winfrey Network |accessdate=14 February 2020}}</ref> It was later reported that Terry Fator had decided to cut all ties with his sister Deborah Fator Beard in 2011. In the end of 2014, Terry had then chosen to reconnect with his sister who then later moved in to live with Terry in May, 2015. Deborah was later found dead and her body was discovered nude in the Las Vegas Home on 21, June 2015. It was later ruled as a suicide from multiple drug toxicity caused by overdosing on prescription drugs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staff |title='America’s Got Talent' Winner Terry Fator's Mother Questions His Role in His Sister's Death; Files Lawsuit to No Longer Be His Mother |url=https://theblast.com/c/americas-got-talent-terry-fator-mother-lawsuit |website=The Blast |publisher=The Blast |accessdate=14 February 2020}}</ref> Terry proposed to Angie Fiore on stage <ref>{{cite web |title= Terry Fator Proposes To Angie Fiore |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO8ukz5UJkE |website=Youtube |publisher=Terry Fator - Youtube Channel |accessdate=14 February 2020}}</ref> in front of then wife Taylor Makakoa. Terry divorced Makakoa in late August 2015 <ref>{{cite web |last1=Weatherford |first1=Mike |title=Terry Fator and wife-stage partner to divorce |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/terry-fator-and-wife-stage-partner-to-divorce/ |website=Las Vegas Review Journal |publisher=Las Vegas Review Journal |accessdate=14 February 2020}}</ref> and subsequently married Angie Fiore a few days later. In 2016, Terry proposed to his stage hand Lisa in front Angie while Taylor and Melinda watched from the audience. He then immediately divorced Lisa and moved to France where he married and immediately divorced a Syrian refugee named Umar who subsequently became the inspiration for one of his most beloved puppets. In early 2018, Terry Fator's mother Marie Fator Sligh had filed a suit citing his use of his wealth and the legal system to defame, bully, torment, harass and intimidate his mother while also preventing her from investigating the death of her daughter in her sons home. The lawsuit also stated that he had refused to work with his Mother to resolve their problems privately thereby causing his elderly Mother extreme fear, humiliation, anxiety, embarrassment and financial difficulty. Terry Fator later officially denied any allegations of elderly abuse. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Jess |title=America's Got Talent Winner Terry Fator Denies Mother's Elder Abuse Accusation |url=https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/1006704/america-s-got-talent-winner-terry-fator-denies-mother-s-elder-abuse-accusation |accessdate=14 February 2020 |work=E! Online |agency=NBC Universal |publisher=E! Online |date=18 January 2018}}</ref>


===Charitable work===
===Charitable work===
In July 2007 Fator appeared in [[Montana]] to raise funds for the Kidsports Sports Complex in [[Kalispell]] and said he wanted to come back in 2008 to do another show. “We thought, we bet he wants to, but we bet he won’t have time,” said Nancy Manning of [[Rotary Club]] of Kalispell. “He made time because it’s so important to him.” All proceeds from Fator’s show went towards the field.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/04/22/news/news02.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726103732/http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/04/22/news/news02.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |title=Kidsports field work rolls along |last=Albertson |first=Kristi |publisher=Daily Inter Lake |accessdate=April 21, 2008 }}</ref>
In July 2007 Fator appeared in [[Montana]] to raise funds for the Kidsports Sports Complex in [[Kalispell]] and said he wanted to come back in 2008 to do another show. “We thought, we bet he wants to, but we bet he won’t have time,” said Nancy Manning of [[Rotary Club]] of Kalispell. “He made time because it’s so important to him.” All proceeds from Fator's show went towards the field.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/04/22/news/news02.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726103732/http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/04/22/news/news02.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |title=Kidsports fieldwork rolls along |last=Albertson |first=Kristi |publisher=Daily Inter Lake |access-date=April 21, 2008 }}</ref>


In 2007 Fator performed a benefit for families of miners in [[Huntington, Utah]].<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/>
In 2007 Fator performed a benefit for families of miners in [[Huntington, Utah]].<ref name=PCOLSaltlakecity/>


In 2008, Fator performed at the Palace Theatre in [[Corsicana, Texas]]. Proceeds benefited the Navarro Council of the Arts and the Mildred Drama Club. Fator is a native of Corsicana.<ref name="PCOLCorssican">{{Cite news|url=http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/local/local_story_339235031.html |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130119191403/http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/local/local_story_339235031.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |title=Terry Fator to perform in Corsicana |publisher=Corsicana Daily Sun |accessdate=December 5, 2007 }}</ref>
In 2008, Fator performed at the Palace Theatre in [[Corsicana, Texas]]. Proceeds benefited the Navarro Council of the Arts and the Mildred Drama Club. Fator is a native of Corsicana.<ref name="PCOLCorssican">{{Cite news|url=http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/local/local_story_339235031.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119191403/http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/local/local_story_339235031.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |title=Terry Fator to perform in Corsicana |publisher=Corsicana Daily Sun |access-date=December 5, 2007 }}</ref>


On September 3, 2007, Fator made a special appearance in the [[Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon]] at the [[South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa|South Point]] Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, thanking the crowd for the support.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} He brought back Emma Taylor to sing "At Last" and Winston the Turtle to sing "What a Wonderful World".{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} He returned to the Telethon on September 1, 2008 and brought Julius to sing "Only You" from [[The Platters]], Marvin Gaye's song, "Let's Get It On," and "Crazy" by [[Gnarls Barkley]]. Maynard Thomkins was also brought on to sing "[[Viva Las Vegas (song)|Viva Las Vegas]]" to finish the show.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} Fator made his 3rd consecutive telethon appearance (this time via satellite from his showroom during a performance of his show) on September 6, 2009 with puppets The Fifth Beatle and Vikki The Cougar with special guests [[The Commodores]], who joined Fator performing "[[Brick House (song)|Brick House]]".
On September 3, 2007, Fator made a special appearance in the [[Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon]] at the [[South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa|South Point]] Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, thanking the crowd for the support.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} He brought back Emma Taylor to sing "At Last" and Winston the Turtle to sing "What a Wonderful World".{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} He returned to the Telethon on September 1, 2008 and brought Julius to sing "Only You" from [[The Platters]], Marvin Gaye's song, "Let's Get It On," and "Crazy" by [[Gnarls Barkley]]. Maynard Thomkins was also brought on to sing "[[Viva Las Vegas (song)|Viva Las Vegas]]" to finish the show.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} Fator made his 3rd consecutive telethon appearance (this time via satellite from his showroom during a performance of his show) on September 6, 2009 with puppets The Fifth Beatle and Vikki The Cougar with special guests [[The Commodores]], who joined Fator performing "[[Brick House (song)|Brick House]]".


In 2010, Fator did a doodle for a charity celebrity doodle auction for Neurofibromatosis, more commonly known as NF. 100% of the profit from all the doodles went to help families with NF.
In 2010, Fator ate a doodle for a charity celebrity doodle auction for Neurofibromatosis, more commonly known as NF. 100% of the profit from all the doodles went to help families with NF.


All proceeds from Fator's original song "Horses in Heaven" go to [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://luxurylv.com/2009/11/up-close-and-personal/3527 |title=Up Close and Personal |last=Rypka |first=Marsala |date=November 2009 |work=Luxury Las Vegas |accessdate=10 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820091218/http://luxurylv.com/2009/11/up-close-and-personal/3527 |archivedate=20 August 2011 }}</ref>
All proceeds from Fator's original song "Horses in Heaven" go to [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://luxurylv.com/2009/11/up-close-and-personal/3527 |title=Up Close and Personal |last=Rypka |first=Marsala |date=November 2009 |work=Luxury Las Vegas |access-date=10 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820091218/http://luxurylv.com/2009/11/up-close-and-personal/3527 |archive-date=20 August 2011 }}</ref>


==DVD==
==DVD==
On September 1, 2009, Fator's first DVD, ''Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas'' (recorded during a performance at the Mirage), was released shortly after its August 28, 2009 debut airing on [[Country Music Television|CMT]]. Copies sold at [[Target stores]] include footage not shown on the CMT broadcast.
On September 1, 2009, Fator's first DVD, ''Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas'' (recorded during a performance at the Mirage), was released shortly after its August 28, 2009 debut airing on [[Country Music Television|CMT]]. The DVD includes footage not shown on the CMT broadcasting.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/ NBC's ''America's Got Talent'']
* [http://www.terryfator.com Terry Fator's website]
* [http://www.terryfator.com Terry Fator's website]


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fator, Terry}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fator, Terry}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:America's Got Talent winners]]
[[Category:America's Got Talent winners]]
[[Category:American impressionists (entertainers)]]
[[Category:American impressionists (entertainers)]]
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[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:Las Vegas shows]]
[[Category:Las Vegas shows]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:Comedians from Dallas]]

Latest revision as of 03:58, 25 December 2024

Terry Fator
Fator in Las Vegas, Nevada, 2009
Birth nameTerry Wayne Fator
Born (1965-06-10) June 10, 1965 (age 59)[1]
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • Television
Alma materLiberty University
Years active1975–present
Genres
Spouse
  • Melinda Fator
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1991; div. 2010)​
  • Taylor Makakoa
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2010; div. 2015)​
  • Angie Fiore
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2015)​
Websiteterryfator.com

Terry Wayne Fator (/ˈfeɪtər/) is an American ventriloquist, impressionist, stand-up comedian, and singer. Born in Dallas, Texas, he developed an interest in ventriloquism from a young age, developing both this and a talent for singing. After initially performing with two bands, Fator eventually conducted solo performances, combining ventriloquism and singing with comedy. He gained national recognition for his talent when he won the second season of America's Got Talent, which helped to boost his career.[2]

His success led to him receiving a five-year multi-million dollar contract to headline shows in Las Vegas, Nevada.[3] From 2009 to 2020, he was the headliner at Mirage Las Vegas. Since 2021, he performs regularly at New York-New York Hotel and Casino. He has used his performances and talent to help contribute to charitable causes. Fator is consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid comedians.[4][5][6]

Early life

[edit]

Terry Fator was born in Dallas, Texas. Terry Fator says in his audio commentary of Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas (2009) that he went to college at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. The beginning of Fator's ventriloquism career dates back to when he was in fifth grade.[7][8] While searching for a book for an assignment on Valentine's Day, he came across a book about ventriloquism[8] titled, Ventriloquism for Fun and Profit, by Paul Winchell.[9] Fator checked out the book and started learning about ventriloquism.[7] A few weeks later, Fator purchased a Willie Talk dummy from Sears[7] and soon won a $25 prize for a performance at a church picnic.[8][9]

Fator got his first ventriloquism dummy when he was ten years old.[10] Throughout his childhood, Fator entertained family and friends with his ventriloquism and did impersonations of singers and actors.[7] Fator's mother saved up her money for three years and bought him his first puppet when he was 18 years old.[11] Fator says he found he had the ability to impersonate singers by practicing ventriloquism while driving his car. "One of the reasons I learned how to sing as a ventriloquist was because I like singing in the car," Fator says. "I’d see other people singing in the car, and they looked goofy, so I’d do it without moving my lips."[10]

Career

[edit]

Early years

[edit]
Fator at the Poncan Theatre in Ponca City, Oklahoma on May 6, 2008 with Winston the Impersonating Turtle (top), Johnny Vegas (middle), and Walter T. Airedale (bottom)

Fator got his start touring as the lead singer of the band "Freedom Jam" in 1987–88, produced by Young American Showcase, taking part in performances at over 200 high schools and middle schools across the United States and Canada, and averaging around three performances per school day. In mid-1988, he became the lead singer for the showband 'Texas the Band',[12] incorporating his puppet Walter T. Airedale into his shows. The band dropped plans to sign to a major record label, when a representative from the brand asked Fator to sing in his own voice, upon noticing he sang songs by impersonating their original vocalists.[13]

After leaving the band, Fator began doing solo acts that combined comedy and ventriloquism but struggled for several years to achieve success. Alongside having to conduct events at fairs, sometimes suffering heat stroke when assigned to performing routines during hot afternoons,[13] he suffered a setback in one performance when his show in a 1,000-seat theater was attended by only a single person .[8] Discouraged, Fator contemplated pursuing another career but was encouraged by his family not to give up. This led to him expanding his routines to combine singing, ventriloquism and comedy,[14] and sometimes conducting impersonation of notable singers such as Garth Brooks, Etta James, James Taylor, and Dean Martin. Despite this, he remained less than optimistic to maintain a career as a ventriloquist, let alone achieve success:[15]

"It wasn't easy trying to keep going all these years, and by the time I was in my late 30s, I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen."

In 2005, he eventually included impersonations into his routines,[7] when performing on "Friends in Low Places". This decision ultimately proved effective, winning him critical reception from the audience and raising his hopes, with Fator revamping and rewriting his routines to accommodate the elements that made his performance a hit and continued to prove a success in future.[16] His success eventually landed him opportunities to perform at corporate functions for General Motors and AT&T, and serve as an opening act for Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Neal McCoy, and Styx.

America's Got Talent

[edit]

On June 19, 2007, Fator made his first national appearance on America's Got Talent. Speaking on the experience, he said, "Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would win that show ... Essentially I auditioned because the guy that was the ventriloquist the first season got on Late Show with David Letterman... So I figured I'd do three episodes like he did and end up on 'David Letterman'."[17] After winning the show, Fator actually had to turn the Letterman gig down fourteen times before his schedule was clear so he could appear. "My schedule got so packed, and it broke my heart every time I had to turn him down," Fator said.[10]

When Fator first came onstage, judge David Hasselhoff said, "Oh, no, a ventriloquist."[15] "I was thinking, there's no way I would win," Fator says. "I gave myself zero percent [chance]." The judges, Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and Hasselhoff loved Fator and he eventually won the competition.[8] Morgan told Fator "You're a great impersonator, a great singer and a great comedian."[18] Even Simon Cowell approved. "Simon Cowell said I was one of the top two entertainers on the planet," says Fator. "And getting a compliment from Simon Cowell, well, not many people get a compliment like that."[17]

Post-America's Got Talent

[edit]

Following his win, it was announced on the show that in conjunction with winning, he was to appear at the Jubilee Theatre at Bally's Las Vegas. However, the spots were only going to be 15 minutes long, and in mutual cooperation with his management team and Bally's, the plan was dropped.[citation needed] Fator performed at Christian singer Larry Norman's 60th birthday party in April 2007.[19] Later Fator flew Larry to tapings of America's Got Talent and also to his debut show at the Las Vegas Hilton as an honored guest.

On October 14 and 15, 2007, after winning America's Got Talent, Fator performed at the Las Vegas Hilton; both shows were sold out. He performed several more shows there in December. That month, he signed a contract for $1.5 million with the Las Vegas Hilton to do three shows a month from January 2008 to May 2008. Also in 2007, Fator became an official supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities and is a member of their celebrity board, called the Friends of RMHC.[20]

On March 17, 2008, Fator appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show along with American Idol judge and AGT creator & executive producer Simon Cowell. To the amazement of Winfrey, Cowell referred to Fator as one of the "two most talented people on the planet." Fator performed with three of his dummies; country singer Walter T. Airedale performed a Garth Brooks song and Winston the impersonating Turtle sang a Bee Gees song. Julius performed a Marvin Gaye song; Julius was a favorite when he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show.[10] "As soon as I brought out Julius, she had this look on her face, wondering what I was about to do," Fator said.[10] "Once I started into Marvin Gaye, she fell out of her chair."[10] On May 13 of that year it was announced that Fator had signed a five-year, $100 million contract to perform nightly at The Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip.[21] He replaced headliner Danny Gans and the theater was renamed the Terry Fator Theatre. Reportedly, Fator's deal was one of the largest entertainment deals in Las Vegas history.[22]

In 2009, Fator published the autobiography Who's the Dummy Now?.[17] On September 10, 2008, Fator reappeared as a guest on America's Got Talent for their Top Twenty Results Show. He brought back a larger Winston the Impersonating Turtle to sing the Marvin Gaye song "Let's Get It On". Maynard Thomkins was also brought on to sing "Viva Las Vegas". Winston was not the only puppet that was reconfigured, for on an August 1, 2008, ABC News Now interview, he brought a reshaped Emma Taylor to sing "At Last."[9] Fator has fought to be taken seriously as a ventriloquist. "There have been so few good, successful ventriloquists – Edgar Bergen in the 1940s and Paul Winchell in the 1960s were respected and successful," says Fator. "And in the 1970s, I used to watch Willie Tyler and his Lester as well as Jay Johnson and Bob. But over the years, there have been so many bad ventriloquists - and most of them doing corny shows for children - that people began to think of us as a bad joke."[15]

Also, on September 14, 2011, he was invited once again to perform as a guest on the finals of America's Got Talent. This time he brought Julius, the soul singer, and performed "Ain't No Sunshine".

In 2013, he voiced a character on the Disney Channel show Mickey Mouse. On May 30 of that year, Fator celebrated his 1,000th show at The Mirage Hotel & Casino and returned to perform as a guest on America's Got Talent during the Top 12 results show four months later on September 11.

On September 16, 2015, Fator made a guest appearance on America's Got Talent during the finals show, performing alongside the eventual tenth-season winner, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin. On September 20, 2017, he made another guest appearance during AGT's twelfth-season finale, performing alongside eventual winner Darci Lynne, another singing ventriloquist. In AGT's 17th season he entered the competition, and although he was eliminated before the finals, he performed with Ana-Maria Mărgean another singing ventiloquist on September 27, 2022. In July 2020, Fator's residency at the Mirage in Las Vegas ended after 11 years.

On May 26 2024 Terry started a new residency at The STRAT in Las Vegas featuring a state-of-the-art theater and combined his natural talent with 21st century technology. Regarded by the vast majority of those who have seen the show as the best show Terry has ever performed in 17 years as a Las Vegas headliner.[23]

Personal life

[edit]

Fator's second cousin is Chris Sligh, an American Idol season six finalist.[7]

Charitable work

[edit]

In July 2007 Fator appeared in Montana to raise funds for the Kidsports Sports Complex in Kalispell and said he wanted to come back in 2008 to do another show. “We thought, we bet he wants to, but we bet he won’t have time,” said Nancy Manning of Rotary Club of Kalispell. “He made time because it’s so important to him.” All proceeds from Fator's show went towards the field.[24]

In 2007 Fator performed a benefit for families of miners in Huntington, Utah.[8]

In 2008, Fator performed at the Palace Theatre in Corsicana, Texas. Proceeds benefited the Navarro Council of the Arts and the Mildred Drama Club. Fator is a native of Corsicana.[25]

On September 3, 2007, Fator made a special appearance in the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, thanking the crowd for the support.[citation needed] He brought back Emma Taylor to sing "At Last" and Winston the Turtle to sing "What a Wonderful World".[citation needed] He returned to the Telethon on September 1, 2008 and brought Julius to sing "Only You" from The Platters, Marvin Gaye's song, "Let's Get It On," and "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. Maynard Thomkins was also brought on to sing "Viva Las Vegas" to finish the show.[citation needed] Fator made his 3rd consecutive telethon appearance (this time via satellite from his showroom during a performance of his show) on September 6, 2009 with puppets The Fifth Beatle and Vikki The Cougar with special guests The Commodores, who joined Fator performing "Brick House".

In 2010, Fator ate a doodle for a charity celebrity doodle auction for Neurofibromatosis, more commonly known as NF. 100% of the profit from all the doodles went to help families with NF.

All proceeds from Fator's original song "Horses in Heaven" go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[26]

DVD

[edit]

On September 1, 2009, Fator's first DVD, Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas (recorded during a performance at the Mirage), was released shortly after its August 28, 2009 debut airing on CMT. The DVD includes footage not shown on the CMT broadcasting.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://uat.initiateconsultancy.com/news/terry-fator-the-unlikely-story-of-a-texas-boy-and-a-100-million-puppet-empire.html
  2. ^ "Results". America's Got Talent. Season 2. Episode 12. 2007-08-21.
  3. ^ Clarke, Norm. "Mirage signing 'Talent' winner". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  4. ^ Shapiro, Ariel. "The Highest-Earning Stand-Up Comedians Of 2019". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-30.2019
  5. ^ Cuccinello, Hayley C. "The World's Highest-Paid Comedians Of 2018". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  6. ^ Berg, Madeline. "The World's Highest-Paid Comedians 2017: Jerry Seinfeld Returns To The Top Spot". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Arnsdorff, Janice. "He's Got Talent". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Burger, David. "Terry Fator's dummy ditties". Salt Lake City Tribune. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c "ABCNews Now. "America's Human Jukebox" by Alisha Davis". ABC News. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Hadsall, Joe. "He's no dummy: 'America's Got Talent' winner to perform in Branson". The Joplin Globe. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  11. ^ Fator, Terry (2008). Who's the dummy now?. [Sydney]: New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd. ISBN 9781741107289.
  12. ^ Chase, Marilyn Johnson (October 15, 1989). "Texas lights fans' fire: Admirers flock from afar to hear 'uncommon' band". Dalas News. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  13. ^ a b Kirschenmann, Jay. "A man worth a million voices". Argus Leader. Retrieved May 1, 2008. [dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Terry Fator turns most unhip showbiz gig into $100-million career". tampabay.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  15. ^ a b c Belcher, Walt. "Patient Ventriloquist Proves He's No Dummy As He Turns 'Talent' Win Into Big-Time Tour". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  16. ^ Wynne, Sharon Kennedy. "Ventriloquist Terry Fator's got talent". TampaBay.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
  17. ^ a b c Hocklander, Sony. "Look, who's talking now?". Springfield News Leader. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  18. ^ Schmidt, Veronica (August 22, 2007). "Ventriloquist Terry Fator wins America's Got Talent". London: Times Online. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2007.
  19. ^ Fator's MySpace blog, April 23, 2007
  20. ^ "Celebrity Friends of RMHC". McDonald's Corporation. Archived from the original on 2008-06-28.
  21. ^ "Reserved – Trakk.com". www.lasvegashotels.com.
  22. ^ Strauss, Gary (June 16, 2008). "For Terry Fator Talent opened a lot of doors". USAToday. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  23. ^ Roeben, Scott (February 29, 2020). "Ventriloquist Terry Fator's Show to Close at Mirage".
  24. ^ Albertson, Kristi. "Kidsports fieldwork rolls along". Daily Inter Lake. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
  25. ^ "Terry Fator to perform in Corsicana". Corsicana Daily Sun. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  26. ^ Rypka, Marsala (November 2009). "Up Close and Personal". Luxury Las Vegas. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Terry Fator.
Preceded by America's Got Talent winner
Season 2 (Summer 2007) 		Succeeded by
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