Category: Richest Celebrities › Richest Comedians
Net Worth: $160 Million
Salary: $20 Million
Birthdate: Jun 10, 1965 (58 years old)
Birthplace: Dallas
Gender: Male
Profession: Impressionist, Singer, Comedian
Nationality: United States of America
What is Terry Fator’s Net Worth, Salary and Career Earnings?
Terry Fator is a highly successful ventriloquist, impressionist, and comedian known for his rise to fame on “America’s Got Talent” and his lucrative headliner show in Las Vegas. He is consistently one of the highest-paid entertainers in Las Vegas, earning a staggering $20 million annually.
Early Life
Darren Fator was born in Dallas, Texas on June 19, 1965, to parents Jephtha Wesley and Edith Clifton. Growing up with an older brother and a younger sister, Fator developed an interest in ventriloquism in fifth grade after discovering a book on the topic at the local library. Starting with a Willie Talk Dummy from Sears, he practiced his skills for friends and family. At 18, his mother surprised him with his first puppet after saving up for years. Fator later attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, before pursuing a career in comedy.
Career
Terry Fator started his career by touring as the lead singer of Freedom Jam in 1987 and 1988, performing at numerous middle and high schools in the US and Canada. In mid-1988, he joined Texas the Band as the lead singer and started using his puppet, Walter T. Airedale, in the shows.
After leaving the band, Terry Fator worked tirelessly to develop his solo act. Despite struggling to find the right audience and facing challenges like performing for just one person in a 1,000-seat theater, he persevered. With the support of his family, Fator expanded his act to include singing and impersonating famous singers.
Although it took time, his perseverance paid off as audiences began to appreciate his talent. He eventually secured contracts to perform for major corporate clients and open for renowned artists like Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, and Styx.
In June 2007, Terry Fator gained recognition after appearing on “America’s Got Talent” and winning the show. Despite initial skepticism from the audience and judges about a ventriloquist act, including judges Piers Morgan and Simon Cowell, Fator impressed everyone with his performance. Following his win, Fator’s schedule became so busy that he had to decline appearances on the “Late Show with David Letterman” multiple times before finally being able to schedule an appearance.
He started performing at the Las Vegas Hilton, selling out consecutive shows, and signed a contract to perform multiple shows per month at the hotel. Fator also appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and impressed both the audience and Oprah with his song renditions. Eventually, he signed a lucrative five-year contract to exclusively bring his show to The Mirage.
In 2013, he had the opportunity to lend his voice to a character on the Disney Channel show, “Mickey Mouse.” Following his successful 1,000th show at The Mirage in May of 2013, his contract was extended. After an impressive 11-year run at The Mirage, he concluded his show there in 2019.
Plans to launch a new show at the New York-New York hotel were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, he made a triumphant return to the stage in late 2020, debuting his latest show, “Who’s the Dummy Now?” at the Liberty Loft theater space in New York-New York.
Terry Fator has become a prominent figure in the world of ventriloquism comedy, standing out in a field that is not always recognized. He attributes his success to legends like Edgar Bergen, Paul Winchell, Willie Tyler, and Jay Johnson, who have inspired him to thrive in this specialized market.
Earnings and Contracts
After his contract with the Las Vegas Hilton ended, Terry Fator scored a huge deal to perform at The Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip for five years, earning a whopping $100 million. The theater where he would be performing was even renamed the Terry Fator Theatre.
Personal life
Terry Fator’s love life has seen a few ups and downs. He first met his ex-wife, Melinda, while touring with Texas the Band, and they were married for almost 20 years before divorcing in 2009. Fator then married Taylor Makakoa in 2010 before divorcing four years later. Eventually, he found love again with Angela Fiore, whom he proposed to on-stage before getting married.
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