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Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital :: Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital jeffgordonchildrenshospit... | Jeff Thompson Orthodontics | Leawood, KS | Dr. Jeffrey J. Thompson | jeffthompsonortho.com |
Jeff Dandurand (born February 13, 1974)[5], mostly known as Jeff Duran, is an American radio personality, comedian[6], entertainer and former child actor based in Los Angeles, California. Duran can be heard weekdays 2-7PM on two Southern California rock stations KKZQ-FM Antelope Valley[7] and KOCP-FM Ventura.[8]
[edit] Biography[edit] Early Life Jeff Duran at The Comedy Store Hollywood 2006 The only child to parents Joseph Dandurand, a prominent CPA, and June Naples, an accomplished painter. Jeff's mother was the first to nurture his creative aspirations and began taking him on auditions by the time he was 12.[9] In 1986, Jeff was able to obtain management and sign with the Savage Agency, which resulted in bit parts on television and in film.[10] [edit] Child ActorJeff Duran began his career as a child actor[11] appearing in one episode of Tough Cookies, a short-lived sitcom that starred Robby Benson.[12] In 1986, Jeff was cast as "Kid auto thief" in No Man's Land[13], a 1987 film starring D.B. Sweeney, Charlie Sheen and featured a then unknown Brad Pitt who played a "waiter". Duran's first role could be considered Hollywood history in the sense it was omitted from the theatrical release.[14] According the IMDB, Jeff has also appeared on Twilight Zone and in the ABC series "The Wonder Years", episodes: "Math Class" (1989) and "Rock and Roll" (1990) as Jeff Dandurand.[11][15] In 1989, Jeff was selected by Penelope Spheeris to star in a music video she was directing for the group Megadeth.[16] A last minute decision resulted in an actor from the Shocker movie playing the lead instead. Jeff appeared in the music video as one of "Lil Dave's" friends. His last appearance as a child actor was in 1996 for the ABC sitcom Step By Step.[17] [edit] RadioOn Southern Caifornia radio, Duran is most well-known as the "rock and roll junkie". At KLSX, KCXX and KIXA, Duran would ask callers to stump the junkie on his vast music knowledge, with the listener normally losing to challenge. On August 20, 2009 Duran attempted to retire "Stump The Junkie", but includes the "rock and roll junkie" sound bite on the Duran Show.[18] Duran began his radio career in 1994, working part-time at KCLB 93.7 in Palm Springs, California.[19] Duran's goal at the time was also to become a stand up comic so he moved back to Los Angeles and worked briefly as a traffic reporter for Shadow Traffic.[20] Wanting to get back on air, Duran paid out of his pocket to host a radio show called L.A. Rock Scene.[21] The show was broadcast from Hollywood and featured many local and international artists. Duran built a small following that resulted in a sold out comedy show at the now defunct LunaPark, a mecca of the 'alternative comedy' in the mid 90's. This attention lead to an afternoon drive position on KIXA, a small rock station in Victorville, California. In 2000, Clear Channel dropped most of their local jocks which included Duran.[22]  In 2000, Duran began hosting "Metalblitz Radio" on KLSX, an FM talk station in Los Angeles that also carried The Howard Stern Show.[23]"Metalblitz Radio" was funded by MUSICBLITZ Records, a web based label, became the subject of high profile articles and a sold out live shows. In May 2001, Jeff appeared on an episode of the Late Late Show[24] mainly because of his presence on "Metalblitz". Although the show had good ratings for KLSX, "Metalblitz Radio" was dropped when MUSICBLITZ Records folded in 2001.[25] Duran then went to Riverside working for KCXX an alternative rock station from 2001-2003.[26] At KCXX, Duran worked his way from weekends to Morning Drive.[27] The later lead to Mornings at active rock station KKXX-FM. The Bakersfield station eventually teamed Duran with a female co-host and renamed the show JD & Rocky. The pairing initially resulted in high ratings but was eventually cancelled in late 2004. In January 2005, Duran returned to Los Angeles to resume his comedy career.[28] [edit] Duran Show
Duran resurfaced on air November 2007 at modern rock station KKZQ in Palmdale, California. On February 19, 2008, the Duran Show debut in afternoon drive on KKZQ. Shortly after, a feud erupted between Duran and morning show host Fathead. Both traded insults until Duran challenged Fathead to a one mile race. The feud eventually got settled with both DJs running for charity at a local water park. Even though Duran lost, he ran on behalf of the March of Dimes in honor of a friend's baby who was born with a heart defect.[29] Duran can also be heard on KOCP-FM in Ventura, CA weekdays 2-7PM.[8] Duran is currently the assistant program director in addition to his daily airshifts on KKZQ and KOCP.[30] Jeff's presence on radio has helped his edgy stand up act,[31] opening for the likes of Carlos Mencia, Pauly Shore, Dave Attell and Doug Stanhope. [edit] Stand UpDuran started performing stand up in 1994 at Los Angeles area open mics alongside comedians Jamie Kennedy, Dane Cook and Brian Holtzman with little success. Duran's early stand-up consisted of Andrew Dice Clay style jokes and X-rated song parodies ala Blowfly. Jeff would distribute a cassette only demo of these parodies called "I Wish I Was You So I Could Make Love To Me" at his early shows.[32]  Duran Performing Stand Up Comedy As Jeff "JJ Star" Duran [edit] Jeff "JJ Star" Duran"JJ Star" was created to be the "most outrageous comedian of all time".[33] The JJ Star name was also a way audiences could differentiate from Duran's on air personality. In a 2006 television appearance, Jeff told host Denise Ames that he initially became JJ Star after his ambitions to be a rock star failed.[34][35] In a 1997 Los Angeles Times article, the writer Darcy Barey compared Duran's stand up to Sam Kinison after an audition at the Ice House in Pasadena, CA.[36] The same year the now defunct Coconut Teazer enforced a "no profanity" policy after a JJ Star performance that lead to a near riot.[37] Duran opened a 1998 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 Jeff open their shows. By the early 2000s, Duran attempted to drop the JJ Star persona and start writing material less vulgar under the name "Jeph Duran". Duran also began attending twelve step meetings to stop his substance abuse. In an interview with XM, Duran admitted he quit drinking and using drugs because he felt it would be "embarrassing" to die before anybody knew who he was.[38] Duran has struggled since, both with substance abuse and with his comedic persona Jeff "JJ Star" Duran finding the right audience. On December 7, 2008, the “J.J. Star” character was confronted by angry hecklers at a Riverside California performance. In character, Duran viciously attacked the audience members and eventually was escorted off stage. The show was to be recorded for a DVD project but later scrapped amidst the controversy.[39] The incident did inspire a new CD/DVD project called How Embarrassing,[40] which is slated to be released in 2010.[41] [edit] New Look, Music Projects, And Present DayOn Aug 28, 2009 , Duran as Jeff "JJ Star" Duran returned noticeably thinner and with short hair at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA. Duran fired off a brief set of new material before performing his parody of "Game's Pain", made popular by rapper The Game.[42] The later is likely to be included on How Embarrassing,[43] which will feature an appearance by chart topper Lady GaGa and be released in 2010.[44] On November 2, 2009 a short teaser for How Embarrassing surfaced on Youtube. [45] Duran has formed a electronica infused music project with producer Jason Blades.[46] [edit] Other MediaConsidered a highly regarded musicologist, Duran writes for the New Zealand based AOR e-zine Glory Daze[47] and has contributed commentary to several DVD biographies including Green Day Under Review: 1995-2000-The Middle Years[48], Guns N' Roses - Two Classic Albums Under Review: Use Your Illusion I and II[49] and Aural Amphetamine - Metallica and The Dawn Of Thrash[50]. Duran can be also be seen in two unauthorized biographies spotlighting Bon Jovi[51] and Tool.[52] [edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
[edit] Filmography
[edit] References
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