David Strassman

Strassman, the second of four children, was born and raised in Los Angeles County, California.{{cite web |url=https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10182-434737/david-strassman-in-biographical-summaries-of-notable-people |title=David Strassman - Biographical Summaries of Notable People - MyHeritage |website=www.myheritage.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112081028/https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10182-434737/david-strassman-in-biographical-summaries-of-notable-people |archive-date=12 November 2016 |url-status=dead}} His father, Harvey D. Strassman (September 19, 1922 – January 30, 2011), was a psychiatrist and medical academic of Jewish descent.{{cite web |title=OBITUARY: Dr. Harvey D. Strassman |website=Legacy.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=148428205 |access-date=June 22, 2014 |date=February 6, 2011}} {{open access}}

A visit to Disneyland with his family prompted a young Strassman to ask his father to purchase some professional magic tricks that he performed for local neighborhood children.{{cite web |url=http://focusmag.com.au/coffs/featured/david-strassman-international-comedy-star |title=David Strassman – International comedy star | Coffs Coast Focus |website=Focusmag.com.au |date=2011-04-28 |access-date=2016-10-09 |archive-date=2014-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211005618/http://focusmag.com.au/coffs/featured/david-strassman-international-comedy-star |url-status=dead }} Strassman took a ventriloquism class in junior high school as an elective, taught by local Chicago children's television host Steve Hart.{{cite web|url=http://www.popeyewithstevehart.com/?content=wbez |title=Popeye With Steve Hart! |publisher=Popeye With Steve Hart! |date=1983-04-16 |access-date=2016-10-09}} Strassman discovered he was good at it and could make money from his performances.{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/comedy/new-direction-for-puppet-master-20130220-2erdu.html|title=New direction for puppet master|first=Douglas|last=Fry|date=February 20, 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}

Strassman studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York but returned to ventriloquism. He took to busking in Central Park in New York, Leicester Square and the Marble Arch in London and a brief stint in Paris.{{cite web|author=Hello |url=http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/what-s-on/stage/interview-21st-century-ventriloquist-david-strassman-1-94838 |title=Interview: 21st century ventriloquist David Strassman - Peterborough Telegraph |website=Peterboroughtoday.co.uk |date=2008-02-22 |access-date=2016-10-09}}

Strassman performed in New York's comedy clubs including An Evening at the Improv.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401003/fullcredits|title=An Evening at the Improv (1982–1996) : Full Cast & Crew|website=IMDb.com|access-date=2016-10-09}} In 1980, Strassman (along with his main ventriloquist character Chuck Wood) appeared in Roger Corman's horror movie Humanoids from the Deep.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/humanoids_from_the_deep|title=Humanoids From the Deep (1980)|website=Rottentomatoes.com}}

In 1986, Strassman added remote controls to his puppet, Chuck Wood, using transmitters, motors, and servos derived from his hobby of flying remote control model airplanes.{{cite web|url=http://www.rcwarbirds.com/Aircraft/Figthers/WWII/Allies/US/P-47/p47page.htm |title=rcwarbirds.com |website=Rcwarbirds.com |access-date=2016-10-09}} He discovered a remote clutch system in a NASA facility that could be integrated into his dummies.{{cite web |url=http://www.au.timeout.com/melbourne/comedy/features/2211/david-strassman-interview |title=Comedy | Melbourne Comedy Clubs & Stand Up Shows | Time Out Melbourne |website=Au.timeout.com |access-date=2016-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002051/http://www.au.timeout.com/melbourne/comedy/features/2211/david-strassman-interview |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }} At the end of Strassman's act he gets into an argument with his dummy, Chuck Wood, and leaves the stage.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/americas-got-talent-winner-paul-zerdin-stole-acts-ventriloquists-say-1201538584/|title=Ventriloquists Say 'America's Got Talent' Winner Stole Their Acts|first1=David|last1=Robb|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=September 21, 2015}} Chuck then appears to come to life with Strassman speaking into an off-stage microphone. He debuted this routine on The Late Show with Arsenio Hall in 1989. New York ventriloquist Stanley Burns used remote-controlled dummies in the 1950s.{{cite web|url=http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com/ventriloquism-tribute/ventriloquists-20th-century/ |title=Tribute to Ventriloquism | Ventriloquist Central | Ventriloquists of the 20th Century |publisher=Ventriloquist Central |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cite news|author=DAN BARRY |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/01/nyregion/01ABOU.html |title=About New York; Puppet in Lap, And Audience In His Palm |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2003-10-01 |access-date=2016-10-09}}

In 1995, he performed on The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/filmosearch?role=nm0833517&job_type=self|title=David Strassman|website=IMDb|language=en|access-date=2020-04-28}}

In 1996, he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2010/strassman_duality/ |title=David Strassman - Edinburgh Fringe 2010 - British Comedy Guide |website=Comedy.co.uk |date=2010-08-30 |access-date=2016-10-09}} He received the “Critics Award for Comedy”{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2008/01/21/david_strassman_1502_event_feature.shtml |title=Hereford and Worcester - Entertainment - David Strassman |publisher=BBC |access-date=2016-10-09}} and the Glasgow “Herald Angel award.”{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/when-the-dark-side-speaks-up-for-itself-1.429760 |title=When the dark side speaks up for itself |website=Heraldscotland.com |date=1996-10-25 |access-date=2016-10-09}} Strassman continues to perform frequently throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Britain.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/lunch-with-david-strassman-20121115-29d83.html |title=Lunch with: David Strassman |website=Theage.com.au |date=2012-11-17 |access-date=2016-10-09}}

Strassman had a television talk show called "Strassman" on Nine Australia, where his puppet character, Chuck Wood, interviewed celebrities.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmaehJ9Tinc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/SmaehJ9Tinc |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Strassman Talk Show |publisher=YouTube |date=2006-05-20 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=http://www.australianstage.com.au/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=79444&Itemid=81&year=2010&month=05&day=07&title=ted-es-farewell-tour--david-strassman&uid=1293099299evt6767&catids=177 |title=Ted E's Farewell Tour | David Strassman |website=Australianstage.com.au |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cite web|url=http://15min.org/articles/1998/october/7/center_stage.html |title=TE Archive - David Strassman - And Now For Your Host |website=15min.org |date=1998-10-07 |access-date=2016-10-09}} Subsequent series were produced in England on ITV, and in New Zealand on [http://tvnz.co.nz/tv2 TV2].{{cite news|author=Jasper Rees |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/television-review-1090811.html |title=Television Review |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cite web|author=TV.com |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/strassman/episodes/ |title=Strassman - Episode Guide |website=TV.com |access-date=2016-10-09}}

Strassman has 6 DVD titles. Strassman Live (1999) – Volume 1,{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/178685284?selectedversion=NBD50769368 |title=Strassman [videorecording] : the bare necessities 5 disc box set. - Version details - Trove |website=Trove.nla.gov.au |access-date=2016-10-09}} The Chuck You Tour (2003) - Volume 2, Get Chuck'd Tour (2007) – Volume 3,{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/178685284?selectedversion=NBD50769368l |title=Strassman [videorecording] : the bare necessities 5 disc box set. - Version details - Trove |website=Trove.nla.gov.au |access-date=2016-10-09}} Ted E's Farewell (2010) – Volume 4, Careful What You Wish For (2014) – Volume 5,{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/192077325?q=david+strassman%3A+careful+what+you+wish+for&l-format=Video&c=music&versionId=209949690 |title=Strassman live. Volume 5 : careful what you wish for. - Version details - Trove |website=Trove.nla.gov.au |access-date=2016-10-09}} and iTedE (2018) – Volume 6.{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/232582225?l-format=Video&q=david+strassman&c=music&versionId=256985631+256997769+257058613 |title= iTed E / Strassman. - Version details - Trove|website=Trove.nla.gov.au |access-date=2018-09-09}}

In 2010, he performed the play, "Duality," written and directed by Steve Altman, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in Los Angeles, CA. Duality is a two-character play about a mentally-ill ventriloquist, Jack, who talks to himself through a puppet named Zack.{{cite web|last=Fielder |first=Miles |url=http://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/article/27855-david-strassman-ventriloquism-taken-to-a-whole-new-level/ |title=David Strassman: Ventriloquism taken to a whole new level | Edinburgh Festival |website=Edinburghfestival.list.co.uk |date=2010-08-06 |access-date=2016-10-09}} Throughout Duality, Strassman's character "talks" to his ventriloquist puppet as it sits lifeless in a chair, he operates it manually with his hand in the back, and controls the puppet through wireless robotics.{{cite web|url=https://www.goldstar.com/events/hollywood-ca/duality |title=Duality Los Angeles Tickets - COMP at Theatre Asylum & Lab. 2010-07-25 |website=Goldstar.com |access-date=2016-10-09}}

Strassman regularly visits children's hospitals with his characters while on tour, including hospitals in Wellington and Melbourne.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/to-sick-kids-hes-no-dummy/story-e6frf7kx-1111112492052?nk=07419191068002e33a41fb9626ad21ce|title=To Sick Kids He's No Dummy|website=Heraldsun.com.au|access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cite web |url=http://www.justforkids.org.nz/ted-e-bear-and-strassman-thrill-kids/ |title=Ted E Bear and Strassman Thrill Kids |website=Justforkids.org.nz |access-date=2016-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424144814/http://justforkids.org.nz/ted-e-bear-and-strassman-thrill-kids/ |archive-date=2016-04-24 |url-status=dead }}

Strassman's show, Careful What you Wish For ran in Australia through April 2014.{{cite news|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/13709625/comedy-review-careful-what-you-wish-for/ |title=Comedy Review: Careful What You Wish For |newspaper=The West Australian |date=2012-05-17 |access-date=2016-10-09}}

Puppet characters voiced by Strassman include:{{cite web|author=Vicki Anderson |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/art-and-stage/9429173/Trick-of-the-lips |title=Trick of the lips |website=Stuff.co.nz |date=2013-11-22 |access-date=2016-10-09}}

• Chuck Wood - A 1950s era-looking wooden ventriloquist puppet whose character cracks crude jokes, makes fun of other characters, spits and vomits. The puppet can also be remotely controlled.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQbXHpS69Mk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/nQbXHpS69Mk |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=David Strassman - Ventriloquist |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-09-12 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}} For the latter half of Careful What You Wish For, an alternate universe version of the character is presented as Charlie and sports a shaved, tattooed head and goatee, a look which carried over to Chuck in the sixth special, iTedE.
• Ted E. Bare - A soft Teddy bear hand puppet whose character is naïve, inquisitive, slow, innocent and is often the butt of Chuck's jokes and pranks.{{cite web|url=http://www.australianstage.com.au/201005213513/features/melbourne/david-strassman.html |title=David Strassman |website=Australianstage.com.au |date=2010-05-21 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/arts-reviews/ted-es-farewell-tour/2008/09/25/1222217413377.html |title=Ted E's Farewell Tour - Arts Reviews - Arts - Entertainment |website=Smh.com.au |date=25 September 2008 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftp1rd24VHU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/Ftp1rd24VHU |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=David Strassman, 1996 |publisher=YouTube |date=2015-01-27 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}} For the latter half of Careful What You Wish For, an alternate universe version of the character is presented as Theodore Bare, who smokes cigars and headbutts Strassman several times.
• Sid Beaverman - A North American beaver whose character is an aspiring stand-up hack comic.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLqKrEfq1QQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/oLqKrEfq1QQ |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=David Strassman (with Chuck Wood & Sid Beaverman) on Good Morning Australia 1999 |publisher=YouTube |date=2009-05-16 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}} For the latter half of Careful What You Wish For, an alternate universe version of the character is presented as Sidney Australia Wellington, a koala.
• Kevin - An Alien puppet made of foam latex and controlled manually by Strassman. Similar in appearance to Crazy Frog{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s79eiiavRWU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/s79eiiavRWU |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=David Strassman, 1995 (Ep. 39) |publisher=YouTube |date=2015-04-21 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}}
• Grandpa Fred - Ted E. Bare's grandfather who has dementia.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MXXd44otlc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/8MXXd44otlc |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=David Grampa Fred Tells Strassman a Hilarious Story |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-09-17 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=http://claudinemarie.com.au/david-strassman-interview-originally-published-in-pearl-magazine/ |title=David Strassman |publisher=Claudine Marie |date=2014-06-20 |access-date=2016-10-09}} During the latter half of Careful What You Wish For, an alternate universe version of the character is presented as Grandpa Frieda, an old transgender bear.
• A.N.G.E.L - Strassman's first female puppet, A.N.G.E.L is a robot android. A special mechanism is required to make Strassman's voice sound female.{{cite web|url=http://www.beat.com.au/arts/david-strassman-careful-what-you-wish |title=David Strassman - Careful What You Wish For | Beat Magazine |website=Beat.com.au |date=11 November 2012 |access-date=2016-10-09}}
• Buttons the Clown - A manually operated clown puppet who appears drunk.{{cite web |url=http://yawpmag.com.au/Interviews/david-strassman-itede-about-chucking-time.html |title=David Strassman - iTedE | Interviews |website=Yawpmag.com.au |date=2016-02-08 |access-date=2016-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827135351/http://yawpmag.com.au/Interviews/david-strassman-itede-about-chucking-time.html |archive-date=2016-08-27 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.couturing.com/david-strassman-interview-careful-what-you-wish-for/ |title=David Strassman Interview: 'Careful What You Wish For' |website=Couturing.com |access-date=2016-10-09}}
• Little Ricky - A baby puppet that acts extremely nice to Strassman. In earlier performances, Little Ricky was portrayed as Strassman's nephew.
• The Dinosaurs - Strassman's robotic dinosaur puppets who sing pre-recorded songs.{{cite web|last=Esteban |first=Lula |url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2p76si?GK_FACEBOOK_OG_HTML5=1 |title=Dinosaur Puppet Trio Sings Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody - Vol 5 Strassman Live - Video Dailymotion |website=Dailymotion.com |date=2015-05-05 |access-date=2016-10-09}}
• Vinny - Based on the story of the avaricious king Midas. He had no shortage of gold, yet despite his wealth, he desired even more gold.{{Cite web |last=Vinay |first=vinay |date=2023-11-06 |title=Greed is Bad Short Story in English Short Story in English - Themoralstories |url=https://themoralstories.com/greed-is-bad-short-story-in-english-short-story-in-english/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=themoralstories.com |language=en-US}}

Strassman's non-puppet characters include:{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

• The Crows - Strassman's robotic puppets who are aspiring musicians and when commanded to begin can't stop sneezing or belching. They have also been substituted by a trio of dinosaurs who actually sing.
• Mr. Invisible - An auditioner for Teddy's replacement. Strassman requires his stage hand to put on what would be assumed as a complex puppet. In fact, the segment was made up entirely of Strassman talking to his hand (Chuck: Strassman's finally lost it, Strassman's finally lost it). Strassman accidentally frustrates him by asking, "Do you have any special talents?" This prompted him to say, "...I'm invisible."
• Guido the Teddy Impersonator - A sleazy character who looks almost exactly the same as Teddy, but with a misshapen head. He was apparently put in jail for impersonating Teddy (and other crimes, such as drugs and prostitution). He also attempted to replace Teddy when he tried to leave the show.
• Charley - Though not actually a puppet, Charley is the commercially available programmable robot, Robonova, from Hitec. Strassman brought out Charley, a small toy puppet, just for kicks while the auditions were taking place. At first Strassman pretends to shoot Charley and he reacts in the expected way and other such cheap tricks. Chuck then instructed him to do several difficult tasks (stand on one leg and act like a chicken, do a cartwheel, do a handstand), which he accomplished with ease. Chuck, as it turns out, hacked Strassman's computer to made Charley do that. His final instruction: Kill the Audience. Strassman scoffs at the idea when he is forced to get rid of the approaching robot.
• Mumbles - Another potential replacement for Teddy. Strassman was quite happy to give him a shot, but realized that he forgot to make him a mouth and had to fail him.

• Lifestyles with Regis Philbin{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19890118&id=GzVSAAAAIBAJ&pg=7089,3060169|title=The Victoria Advocate - Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com}}
• Evening at the Improv{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgFaq4X5gmM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315184439/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgFaq4X5gmM |archive-date=2016-03-15 |url-status=dead|title=Michael Dorn hosts A&E "Evening at the Improv" 12/10/1992 Pt 1/6 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2016-10-09}}
• Strassman (England ITV)
• BBC Royal Variety Show{{cite web|url=http://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-performance/archive/detail/1996-london-dominion |title=Performances :: 1996, London Dominion |publisher=Royal Variety Charity |access-date=2016-10-09}}
• The Late Late Show (Ireland){{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVLa8mnn9WQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/OVLa8mnn9WQ |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Chuck Wood on the Late Late Show |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-09-15 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}}
• Strassman (Australia)
• Good Morning Australia (Australia Ch. 10)
• Hey Hey It's Saturday (Australia Ch. 9){{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK-mj8v1b2g |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/LK-mj8v1b2g |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=David Strassman, 1998 |publisher=YouTube |date=2014-09-25 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}}
• Today Tonight (Australia Ch. 7){{cite web|url=http://www.todaytonightadelaide.com.au/stories/archive/2011 |title=2011 Story Archive |publisher=Today Tonight Adelaide |access-date=2016-10-09}}
• Strassman (New Zealand TV2){{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=7110 |title=Chuck moves to chat - Lifestyle - NZ Herald News |website=The New Zealand Herald |date=2000-06-30 |access-date=2016-10-09}}

• Humanoids from the Deep

• ABC Radio with Ben Elton{{cite web|last=Stayner |first=Samantha |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/11/14/3632710.htm |title=Felicity Ward, Ben Elton and David Strassman - ABC Melbourne - Australian Broadcasting Corporation |website=Abc.net.au |date=2012-11-14 |access-date=2016-10-09}}
• 3AW Radio{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/3AWNightline/posts/463676550387720 |title=3AW Nightline - Timeline |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzZyMqPglX4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/TzZyMqPglX4 |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=David Strassman and Chuck with Simon and John on 3AW Nightline - Tues 210513 |publisher=YouTube |date=2013-05-21 |access-date=2016-10-09}}{{cbignore}}
• 4BC{{cite web |url=http://www.4bc.com.au/radio/david-strassman-and-chuck-20140303-340ao.html |title=David Strassman and Chuck |website=4bc.com.au |date=2014-03-03 |access-date=2016-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213313/http://www.4bc.com.au/radio/david-strassman-and-chuck-20140303-340ao.html |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }}
• More FM{{cite web|url=http://www.morefm.co.nz/David-Strassman-and-Chuck-Wood-Play-Headlines-or-Headlies/tabid/96/articleID/9529/Default.aspx |title=David Strassman and Chuck Wood Play 'Headlines or Headlies' - Video |publisher=More Fm |access-date=2016-10-09}}

MIX 106.3 FM Canberra

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.davidstrassman.com/ Official site]
• [http://www.chuckwood.com Strassman's Website, Puppetronics]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100529025704/http://www.ventriloquist-david-strassman.com/ David Strassman's site]
• {{IMDb name|0833517}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141222221733/http://www.lortel.org//lla_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=5304 "One & One" (musical), Internet off-Broadway Database]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Strassman, David}}

Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:Ventriloquists

Category:American stand-up comedians

Category:American puppeteers

Category:American street performers

Category:New Trier High School alumni

Category:Puppet designers

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male television actors

Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent

Category:Male actors from Los Angeles

Category:Comedians from Los Angeles County, California

Category:20th-century American comedians

Category:21st-century American comedians

Category:Comedians from Illinois