ventriloquists

Ventriloquists are performers who speak with a ventriloquial voice while keeping their lips largely still, creating the illusion that the voice comes from a puppet or dummy. The effect relies on controlled articulation, breath management, and timing. Practitioners typically avoid moving the lips for certain consonants, such as b, p, and m, and substitute sounds or adjust their technique. The routine often features dialogue between the performer and a ventriloquist's puppet, with humor, storytelling, and character interaction driving the performance.

Ventriloquism has ancient roots in various cultures, where ventriloquial figures were used in ritual or entertainment. In modern times the art developed in Europe and the United States during the 18th to 20th centuries as traveling acts and stage performances. The advent of radio and television helped popularize the form, turning it into a recognizable variety-show and comedy specialty.

Famous ventriloquists include Edgar Bergen, whose puppet Charlie McCarthy achieved mainstream fame in the mid-20th century, and Shari Lewis with Lamb Chop. In recent decades, performers such as Jeff Dunham, Terry Fator, and Paul Winchell expanded the medium with elaborate characters, music, and merchandise, contributing to its continued visibility on stage and screen.

Today, ventriloquism blends traditional puppetry with contemporary humor, storytelling, and multimedia elements. Performers may perform solo with one puppet or develop a cast of characters, sometimes collaborating with writers and producers. The art remains tied to live performance, though televised appearances and online content have broadened its audience.