America’s Got Talent: A Look Back At The Two Comedians Who Won The Show

During America’s Got Talent, we’ve seen singers, dancers, magicians, and dog acts take home the million-dollar prize, but we’re here to talk about the two male comedians that won the show. Throughout the last 15 seasons, a comedian has never won the show without a ventriloquist’s dummy at their side. Terry Fator and Paul Zerdin have proven that comedy acts can win with puppets in the mix. 

America’s Got Talent season two featured Terry Fator and his felt sidekick, Emma Taylor. “Oh no, a ventriloquist,” David Hasselhoff said as soon as Terry hit the stage. Little did the then-judge know that he was standing in the presence of the soon-to-be millionaire, whom he later described as, “absolutely brilliant.” Several years later, British Paul Zerdin came to the stage in season ten. Growing up, Paul was a huge fan of the Muppets and Sesame Street and would put on puppet shows for his friends. At a young age, he cut the back of a toy off and pulled out the stuffing. After making his hand puppet, he would spend hours practicing while his peers did other things. “Why anyone would wanna do that — I don’t know, but I decided that that was for me,” he said.

Terry won AGT fans over with his Kermit the Frog and Louis Armstrong impressions (and covers of songs by Nat King Cole and James Taylor). He fulfilled his dream of being recognized. After discovering a book on ventriloquism as a child, he went on to perform for the next 20 years. He initially joined the show to get his name out there. He hoped for enough fame to perhaps perform on David Letterman (now starring in episodes of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction), like season one ventriloquist Kevin Johnson. Kevin had made it to the semifinals. Terry’s massive success meant that he had to turn down Letterman fourteen times before he finally appeared on the late-night show. See a recent pic of Terry below:

Paul’s initial audition with his dummy Sam got him a yes from all four judges, as well as a standing ovation from the crowd. He took the world of ventriloquism to new heights when he turned judge Howie Mandel into a puppet. He performed an act with three dummies at the same time and once even brought puppet Sam to life. Guest judge Marlon Wayans gifted him with the golden buzzer during the judge cuts, saying that he was able to make a grown man feel like a kid again. “Like a dummy could ever win this show,” was Sam’s sassy retort to Paul. With the help of their puppet master, Sam and Terry’s Elvis impersonator Maynard Tompkins performed a comedy act and rendition of “Love Me Tender.” Later that night, Paul was announced as the winner. See a recent video of Paul below:

These two weren’t the only AGT puppet act winners. Season 12 featured Darci Lynne Farmer, a then 12-year-old singing ventriloquist. While Paul didn’t appear on the show with her, she and Terry performed a duet of, “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better,” during the season finale. With season 16 of America’s Got Talent just getting started, the show has already seen a variety of auditioners. Though there are several tryout rounds to go, another comedian may become a frontrunner. This time, a comedian might win without the puppet. 

Sources: Terry Fator, Paul Zerdin

About The Author

JM Hughes
(88 Articles Published)

See also  South Park's Parody Superhero Name Just Became Marvel Canon

JM Hughes is an SCSU Class of 2020 graduate. She previously worked for the Southern News as a reporter and a copy editor, and majored in journalism with a minor in communications.
Currently she is a writer for Screen Rant, YouTuber, dog lover, romance book reader, and Broadway show seer.

More From JM Hughes