Genre

Ventriloquism

Hometown

Mesquite, Texas

Despite being discovered on “America’s Got Talente”, ventriloquist Terry Fator is not merely a one-talent man. He’s also a musician, singer and impressionist, all of which he includes in his acts. Two of his famous routines include Winston the Turtle (who impersonates Kermit the Frog) and Emma (who sings Etta James and Nat King Cole Songs) both of which brought him eventually winning the reality show “America’s Got Talent.”

Fator started out with ventriloquism when he found a book on it and taught himself the skill, and a couple of weeks later, he (and his dummy) won his first contest during a church picnic. From then on, he amused friends and family with his impressive impersonations of singers and actors and even was featured on TV on the children’s show “Peppermint Place”

In his late teens, Fator became a member of and toured with two bands - "Freedom Jam" and “Texas the Band.” He incorporated one of his dummies into the band and even got a record deal with the latter. The label asked him not to sing with the dummy, but he found out later that he hated it and said no to the record deal. His ventriloquism and comedy was not originally incorporated into the main (singing) act, but he later realized that audiences loved it. He then combined his singing, impersonating, comedy and ventriloquism act.

Before winning the contest, Fator almost gave up his dream of stardom. He felt he was too old, and he had many failed shows (including one show where his only audience was a 12-year-old boy). He did some more gigs, became an opening act for some country stars and made appearances at corporate events. Then came the chance to have national exposure with the show “America’s Got Talent” and he became an instant hit, even during his first audition. He made it to the finals and eventually won the $1 million dollar prize. Today, Fator has appeared on several shows (including the Oprah Winfrey Show), published a successful book and sells out thousand-seat shows in Las Vegas and across the country.

Awards/Accolades

• 2007 Winner America’s Got Talent Season 2

Albums

• Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas
• Horses in Heaven

• 1987 Freedom Jam (Band)
• 1988 Texas the Band

• 2008 Who’s the Dummy Now?

• Terry Fator at The Mirage