Jeff Duran

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Jeff Duran
Jeff Duran performing stand-up
Pseudonym	"JJ Star", Jeff "JJ Star" Duran, "JD", "Duran" or "Jeph Duran"
Birth name	Jeffrey Dandurand
Born	February 13, 1974 (1974-02-13) (age 34)[1] Arcadia, California, U.S.[2]
Medium	Radio, stand-up, television, and film
Nationality	American
Years active	1986 – Present
Genres	Blue comedy, Character comedy, Rock and Roll comedy, Satire
Subject(s)	self-depreciation, depression, addiction, pop culture, human sexuality
Influences	Andrew Dice Clay, Sam Kinison, Redd Foxx, Brian Holtzman
Notable works and roles	Still Kicking[3], Wonder Years[4]
Website	Official MySpace

Jeff Dandurand (born February 13, 1974), more commonly known as Jeff Duran, is a Los Angeles, California-based comedian, radio personality, television personality, and actor.

Contents 1 Biography 2 Early life 3 Child Actor 4 Radio career 5 Stage Names/Personas 6 Discography 7 Filmography 8 Impersonations 9 Miscellaneous 10 References 11 External links

[edit] Biography

Jeff Duran was born in Arcadia, California, and attended the same high school as Stevie Nicks, actress Rena Sofer and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony.^[5] Duran was a child actor, appearing with Fred Savage in two "The Wonder Years" episodes: "Math Class" (1989) and "Rock and Roll" (1990). Duran also appeared in numerous commercials and Step By Step with Suzanne Somers. Since 1994, Duran has balanced a career between mainstream radio personality and edgy stand-up comedian.^[6] Duran is best known as a radio personality on KLSX and KCXX just outside Los Angeles. Duran also hosted a morning show in Bakersfield, CA on KKXX and can be heard weekdays on KKZQ 100.1 Edge 100 in Palmdale, CA. Jeff's presence on radio has led to high profile slots as a stand-up comedian; opening for the likes of Carlos Mencia, Mike Epps, Pauly Shore, Dave Attell and Doug Stanhope. Duran has appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilbourn^[7] and performed at The Comedy Store. Jeff has released several stand-up comedy CDs including Still Kicking and Defects of Character. In support of these releases, Duran toured several U.S. cities and appeared twice on XM's National Lampoon Comedy Radio^[8]. Duran recently made a New York Times list of the top insult comedians of present day ^[9]. Considered a highly regarded musicologist, Duran has contributed commentary to several DVD biographies including; Green Day Under Review: 1995-2000-The Middle Years, Guns N' Roses-Two Classic Albums Under Review: Use Your Illusion I and II and Aural Amphetamine - Metallica and The Dawn Of Thrash^[10]. Duran recently wrapped up commentary on an unauthorized biography about the band Tool which should be out late 2008.These artist bios feature Duran along with other industry notables and are distributed worldwide through Chrome Dreams. According to Jeff's Myspace,Duran is studying with veteran actor Lewis Smith at Actor's Academyfor film and television roles^[11]. Duran is also working on a screenplay based on the life of the late Chicago guitarist Terry Kath in which he plans to star in^[12].

[edit] Early life

Jeff Dandurand is the son of Joseph Dandurand, a prominent CPA, and June Naples, an accomplished painter. He is an only child. Duran's paternal grandparents immigrated to Connecticut from Italy. Duran's Cousin, Mike Amato, is an influential tour manager. Mike Amato is currently the tour manager of Linkin Park and has worked with the likes of Kid Rock, Marilyn Manson and Motley Crue. In the mid 1980s, Amato frequently took Jeff backstage when he worked for likes of Motley Crue and AC/DC, nine-year-old Duran got his first taste of, and desire for, show business from the inside by hanging out backstage with his cousin. Duran's mother should be credited for his beginnings in show business, as she started taking him to auditions by age 11^[13].

Duran was educated at Arcadia High School and Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, California. He later attended Citrus College in Glendora California, although he did not graduate. His good friend Brian Holtzman was a major influence on him.

[edit] Child Actor

Duran's first appearance on television was as an extra on Tough Cookies a short-lived sitcom that starred Robby Benson. In 1986, Duran signed with the Savage Agency,which resulted in bit parts on television and film. According the IMDB, Duran appeared on an episode of the Twilight Zone and the ABC series Wonder Years^[14]. The later was Duran's most known television appearance, which led to small parts in commercials and music videos. In 1989, Duran was selected by Penelope Spheeris to star in a video she was directing for the group Megadeth. Unfortunately a last minute decision was to cast an actor from the Shocker movie to play the lead. Jeff still got a part in the video as one of "Lil Dave's" friends. Jeff's last appearance as a child actor was in 1996 for the ABC sitcom Step By Step^[15]. Around this time, Duran had started his career as a radio personality and stand-up comedian. In 2007, Duran returned to acting. He currently auditions and is studying at The Actors Academy in Los Angeles. Duran will play a druglord in an upcoming low budget indie film called Incident At Vine Street^[16].

[edit] Radio career

Duran started his radio career in Yucca Valley, CA on the now defunct Country station KROR 106.9. In this early phase of his career, Duran also held down on air positions at KCLB 93.7 in Palm Springs and Shadow Traffic in Los Angeles. In the mid-90's Duran hosted an online radio show called L.A. Rock Scene. The show was broadcast from Hollywood and featured many local and international artists. Duran built a small following that resulted in a sold out show at the now defunct Luna Park nightclub. At the time, the venue was the mecca for alternative comedy and Duran broke attendance records previously set by such notables as Janeane Garofalo, David Cross and Andy Dick. In 1999, Duran was hired by KIXA, a small rock station in Victorville, CA for afternoons. The high desert is where Duran developed his on air persona called the "rock and roll junkie". Duran would ask callers to "stump the junkie" on his vast music knowledge with the listener normally losing to challenge. In 2000, Duran hosted Metalblitz Radio on KLSX 97.1 in Los Angeles^[17]. The show became the subject of high profile articles and another sold out live show resulted at The Whiskey. Besides his vast knowledge of music, Duran is also known for his original interview style. In a 2001 interview with porn actress Ginger Lynn, Duran never brought up the topic of sex or her industry. Other notable interviews have included pop culture icons like Flavor Flav and politicians like John Kerry. In 2001, Duran was hired by All Pro Broadcasting's KCXX , an alternative rock station 50 miles outside Los Angeles known as X1039^[18]. At KCXX, Duran worked literally every on air shift imaginable; overnights to eventually morning drive. In 2003, American General Media hired Duran for morning drive on their Bakersfield active rock station KKXX 93.1. The station eventually teamed Duran with female radio personality Rocky Nash and renamed the show JD & Rocky. The pairing of the duo resulted in high ratings, newspaper articles and live appearances. Unfortunately the station's format flipped and the show was dropped in late 2004. Duran returned to KCXX in January 2005 as weekend announcer and to resume his comedy career in Los Angeles. In late 2006, High Desert Broadcasting hired Duran for the company's modern rock station KKZQ 100.1 in Palmdale, CA. In early 2008, Duran became the station's assistant program director in addition to his afternoon show^[19].

[edit] Stage Names/Personas

According to the official Jeff Duran Website, Duran began his stand-up career as way of thumbing his nose at the political correctness and music scene of the early 1990s. Duran created the persona "JJ Star" initially as a glam rocker frustrated with how grunge took away his aspirations of hair band fame. Duran's early stand-up consisted of raw Andrew Dice Clay style jokes and X-rated song parodies ala Blowfly. The "JJ Star" name was also created as a way audiences could differentiate from Duran's on air personality. In 1996, "JJ Star" was the subject of a documentary style short film called Drives Me To Drink released by an independent film company BZR Entertainment. The video was a local success and considered groundbreaking for the time. BZR would later put out another video called Live From Rehab which was a stand-up routine Duran recorded at a rehab facility. Both go for good money on the auction sites like Ebay. In a 1997 Los Angeles Times article, the writer Darcy Barey compared Duran to Sam Kinison because of his brash style and rocker appearance. Duran credits comedians Sam Kinison and Andrew Dice Clay as his main influences for doing stand-up. In the early days of his comedy career, "JJ Star" frequently performed at bars and before bands. His heavy drinking and raw style lead to "JJ Star" getting banned by several clubs for vulgarity. The now defunct Coconut Teazer even enforced a "no profanity" policy after a "JJ Star" performance lead to a near riot. Duran opened a 1998 "JJ Star" performance by throwing a schooner of beer at the club's wall. Horrified audience members began taunting the comedian and a fight broke out. Ironically, the club lifted the ban after several artists demanded "JJ" open they're shows. In an interview with XM, Duran admitted he quit drinking and using because he felt it would be "embarrassing" to die before anybody knew who he was. By the early 2000's, Duran dropped the "JJ Star" persona and started writing material less vulgar. This change was evident when he began performing under the name "Jeph Duran" ^[20]. As his material got better, so did his career. National headliners like Carlos Mencia and Dave Attel took notice and tapped Duran as they're opening act. Jeff even appeared on an episode of the Late Late Show^[21]. In 2006, Duran released the CD/DVD Still Kicking under the moniker Jeff "JJ Star" Duran. The release was a tribute to his vulgar alter ego and the radio friendly persona ^[22]. Duran briefly toured to support Still Kicking, after he returned to radio full time simply as Jeff Duran. The latter is still the only consistent stage name in his career. Duran hasn't performed as "Jeph" since 2003 and the "JJ Star" moniker was missing from the title of his 2007 CD/DVD Defects of Character.

[edit] Discography

• On The Lamb - CD, 2003
• Decade Of Disrespect - CD, 2005
• Still Kicking - CD/DVD, 2006
• Defects of Character - CD/DVD, 2007

[edit] Filmography

• Incident At Vine Street (2010)...Richard
• Tool Under Review (2008) DVD Blu-Ray....Himself
• Aural Amphetamine: Metallica and the Dawn Of Thrash Metal (2008) DVD...Himself
• Guns N' Roses-Two Classic Albums Under Review: Use Your Illusion I and II (2007) DVD...Himself
• Green Day Under Review: 1995-2000-The Middle Years (2006) DVD...Himself
• Live From Rehab (2004)...Short stand-up comedy film VCD
• Whether You Like It or Not: The Story of Hedwig (2003) (V) (special thanks)
• Step By Step (1996) (TV)... DJ coobie
• Drives Me To Drink (1996)...Short stand-up comedy film VHS
• Megadeth's No More Mr. Nice Guy (1990) music video...Little Dave's friend
• Wonder Years (1989) (TV)...Kevin's bully/math class
• No Man's Land (1987)...Kid auto thief w/ Brad Pitt, scenes deleted
• Twilight Zone (1986) (TV)...Kid on beach
• Tough Cookies (1986) (TV)...Kid on basketball court

[edit] Impersonations

• Andrew Dice Clay
• David Lee Roth
• Elvis Presley
• Ozzy Osbourne

[edit] Miscellaneous

• one of the first DJs to play Linkin Park on commercial radio^[23].
• auditioned with a once unknown Brad Pitt for Kid Auto Thief in the 1987 film No Man's Land.
• can be heard on the industrial rock band Undercover Slut's Communism Is Fascism CD. Duran appears on track #14 "Redneck Racism (radio version)".

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jeff Dandurand at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Myspace
• Hollywood Upclose
• All Music Overview
• ITunes Page