Jeff Duran
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeff Dandurand (Born February 13, 1974), more commonly known as Jeff Duran, is a Los Angeles based radio personality and comedian.
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[edit] Biography
Jeff Duran was born in Arcadia, CA and attended the same high school as Stevie Nicks and Michael Anthony of Van Halen. Duran was something of a child actor appearing on The Wonder Years and in a video by heavy metal band Megadeth. An appearance on ABC's Step By Step with Suzanne Sommers marked his last as a child actor in 1996. Duran is best known as a radio personality on KLSX and KCXX just outside Los Angeles. His presence on radio has lead to high profile slots as a stand up comedian, opening for the likes of Dave Attell, Mike Epps, Pauly Shore, Carlos Mencia and Doug Stanhope. Duran developed a different persona on stage called "JJ Star", which has been compared to the late Sam Kinison because of the brash material and rocker image. Jeff has appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilbourn and been the subject of several newspaper articles regarding his stand up. Jeff continues performing stand up comedy as "JJ Star" at clubs such as The Comedy Store and Improv in Los Angeles. In 2006, Duran released the comedy CD Still Kicking. The CD/DVD became his most successful to date leading to numerous television and radio appearances including XM. A Japanese tour was planned for January 2007 where Duran would do stand up and X-rated love songs. However, due to insufficient numbers and airline costs the tour was cancelled. A new CD/DVD 'Defects Of Character: The Wabi Sabi' should be released in early 2007. Also look for Jeff in the new DVD Green Day -Under Review: 1995-2000-The Middle Years. It will be released in the US in February 2007.
[edit] Radio career
Jeff started his radio career in Yucca Valley, CA on the now defunct Country station KROR 106.9. After which Duran held down on air positions at KCLB 93.7 in Palm Springs, Shadow Traffic in Los Angeles and KIXA 106.5 in Victorville, CA. In the mid-90's Duran had one of the first online radio shows called L.A. Rock Scene. The show was broadcast from Hollywood and featured many local and international artists. Duran built a small following which 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 a small rock station in Victorville, CA for afternoons. The high desert is where Duran developed an on air persona called the "rock and roll junkie". Duran would ask callers to "stump the junkie" on his vast knowledge of hard rock and heavy metal with the listener normally losing to challenge. In 2000, Duran achieved his life long dream of cracking the mic on a major station in his hometown of Los Angeles. Duran became the "metal junkie" and hosted the popular Metalblitz radio show on KLSX 97.1. The popular show became the subject of high profile articles and once again a sold out live show at The Whiskey with In Flames. Besides his crazy 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 Jeff was hired by KCXX, an alternative rock station in the inland empire. At KCXX, Duran worked literally every on air shift imaginable; overnights to morning drive. In 2003, a Bakersfield rock station KKXX hired Duran to do mornings. The opportunity resulted in high ratings, newspaper articles and more successful live appearances. Unfortunately the station's format flipped and his show was dropped. Duran then returned to KCXX to do weekends. In 2006, Jeff was hired by KKZQ in Palmdale CA. As of December 2006, Jeff worked as a disc jockey on two California alternative rock stations; KCXX in San Bernardino and KKZQ in Palmdale.
[edit] Child Actor
Duran's first appearance on television was as an extra on Tough Cookies a shortlived sitcom that starred Robby Benson. In 1986, Duran signed with the Savage Agency which resulted in more television and film work. According the IMDB Duran appeared in an episode of the Twilight Zone and the ABC series Wonder Years. The later was Duran's most known television appearance which led to several more commercial and even music video work. In 1989, Duran was selected by Penelope Spheeris to star in a video she was directing for the group Megadeth. Jeff was perfect for the role with his long hair and love for heavy metal music. Unfortunately a last minute decision was to cast an actor from the Shocker movie to play the lead. This decision was most likely based on the fact the video was for the Shocker movie soundtrack. 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. By this time Duran had started his career as a radio personality and stand up comedian.
[edit] JJ Star
According to the official Jeff Duran website, Duran began his stand up career as way of thumbing his nose at the political correctness of the early 1990's. Duran's early stand up consisted of raw Andrew Dice Clay style jokes and X-rated song parodies ala Blowfly. Duran's stage persona "JJ Star" is very different from his on air one. Hence the "JJ Star" name was created so audiences could differentiate. Duran has released several self produced cd's and video projects. In 1996, "JJ Star" was the subject of a documentary style short film called 'Drives Me To Drink' released from by an independent film company called BZR Entertainment. The video was a local success and was considered ground breaking for the time. BZR Entertainment also 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 the late Sam Kinison because of his brash style and rocker appearance. Duran credits Sam Kinison and Andrew Dice Clay as his main reasons for doing stand up. Still too raw for mainstream clubs, Duran had to perform frequently at bars and before bands in this early phase of his career. Not only has Duran's stand up material advanced over the years, so has his career. Highlights have included opening for many national headliners, appearing on numerous television shows including the Late Late Show and releasing a successful cd called Still Kicking under the name Jeff "JJ Star" Duran. There’s no denying the fact Duran's presence on radio has definitely helped his career as a stand up comedian.
