Paul Zerdin

Paul Zerdin is a ventriloquist act from Season 10 of America's Got Talent.

Background
From the Royal Variety Performance to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, to India’s comedy circuit, Montreal’s Just For Laughs and UK tours with his Sponge Fest show and forthcoming Puppet Master tour, Paul Zerdin’s ventriloquism has impressed everyone from Her Majesty the Queen onwards. The UKventriloquist’s career has included appearances on everything from the Royal Variety Performance, Paramount and Comedy Central’s, The World Stands Up to ITV Daybreak, BBC TV’s The One Show, Sky News and Jason Manford’s Comedy Rocks.

Paul Zerdin’s live shows see him bring to life several very different characters amongst whom are the cheeky pre-adolescent Sam, belligerent OAP Albert and precocious infant Baby. Zerdin, who got the ‘biggest laugh of the night’ at the Royal Variety Performance in 2009, according to audience members, also went on to get 5 star reviews at that year’s Edinburgh Festival. Paul returned to Edinburgh to sold-out houses in 2010 and made his debut at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival that year before embarking on a major UK tour with Sponge Fest in 2010/2011.

When Paul was 10, a family friend made him a puppet theatre which he used to put on shows. As he is the first to admit, his hobby quickly grew into an obsession. "The real turning point was when I was given a book on ventriloquism by the legendary Ray Alan. By the time I hit my teens I was spending half an hour a day in front of the mirror practicing talking without moving my lips." Having failed his GCSE’s, Zerdin got a job in a magic shop, developing his magic skills along the way. Simultaneously, he was also developing a sideline as a children’s entertainer.

Zerdin made his TV debut as a magician on the BBC’s Tricky Business and shortly afterwards, at the age of just 20, landed a two year contract presenting the Disney produced kids’ programme Rise and Shine for GMTV.

In 1996, Paul was the first outright winner – by over 100,000 votes of LWT’s The Big Big Talent Show, hosted by Jonathan Ross. The experience not only raised his profile, but introduced him to Nigel Lythgoe, the man who would go on to create reality shows such as Popstars and American Idol. Lythgoe took the 22 year old Paul under his wing, paving the way for appearances on scores of shows, Tonight at the London Palladium, and Generation Game among them. It was Nigel who gave Paul his first brush with Royalty when he secured him a spot on the Prince’s Trust Gala Show in 1997. By the late nineties it was obvious to Paul that traditional variety shows were losing their appeal and it was then that Zerdin decided to introduce stand-up into his routine, a decision that has paid off handsomely. 

Audition
Paul Zerdin's audition in Episode 1003 consisted of throwing his voice to imitate a sound check malfunction and chatting with his puppet Sam about the judges watching Paul's mouth and Sam imitating Paul's words. Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel all voted "Yes," sending Paul to the Judge Cuts round.

Judge Cuts
Paul Zerdin's Judge Cuts performance in Episode 1010 consisted of performing with a baby puppet and telling him a story about Little Red Riding Hood and changing the Big Bad Wolf to a fluffy yellow duck. The performance ended with the baby "urinating." Paul received an enthusiastic reception from the audience. Marlon Wayans liked him so much, he hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Paul straight to the Quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals
Paul Zerdin's Week 1 Quarterfinals performance in Episode 1012 consisted of conversing with his puppet Sam. Sam and Paul had an argument after which Sam refused to talk. To embarrass Sam performing on his own, Paul left the stage. While Sam was sitting, however, he appeared to come to life and start talking with the judges. Paul then returned, with Sam seemingly lifeless again. Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel all gave him standing ovations. Paul received enough votes to be sent to the Semifinals in Episode 1013 along with Drew Lynch, instead of Showproject.

Semifinals
Paul Zerdin's Week 2 Semifinals performance in Episode 1020 consisted of using Howie Mandel as a dummy (through a remote controlled mask). Paul then switched places with Howie by pretending to be a judge while he forced Howie to struggle and dance on stage. Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, and Mel B gave him standing ovations.