- Jeff Duran
-
Jeff Duran 
Jeff hosting Duran Show 2009Born Jeffrey Dandurand
February 13, 1974 [1]
Arcadia, California, U.S.[2]Nationality American Occupation Radio personality, musician, stand-up, actor, producer, rapper, writer Influenced by Andrew Dice Clay, Sam Kinison, Rodney Dangerfield Website jjstarisjjstar.com Jeff Dandurand (born February 13, 1974),[3], mostly known as Jeff Duran, is an American radio personality, comedian,[4] musician and former child actor who is based in Los Angeles, California.
Contents
Early career
Child actor
Dandurand's mother was the first to nurture his creative aspirations and began taking him on auditions by the time he was 11.[5] Dandurand was able to obtain management and sign with the Savage Agency, which resulted in bit parts on television and in film.[6] Jeff Duran began his career as a child actor[7] appearing in one episode of Tough Cookies, a short-lived sitcom that starred Robby Benson.[8] Jeff's role as "kid auto thief" was omitted from the theatrical release of No Man's Land,[9] a 1987 film starring Charlie Sheen and then unknown Brad Pitt who played a "waiter".[10] According to IMDB, Jeff also appeared in Twilight Zone and the ABC series The Wonder Years episodes: "Math Class" (1989) and "Rock and Roll" (1990) as Jeff Dandurand.[7][11] In 1989, Jeff was cast as one of "Lil Dave's" friends by Penelope Spheeris in a video for the group Megadeth.[12] Dandurand’s last appearance as a child actor was in the ABC sitcom Step By Step.[13]
Radio
On Southern California radio, Jeff has been most-known as the "rock and roll junkie." At KLSX, KCXX and KIXA, Dandurand would urge callers to stump the junkie on his vast music knowledge, with the listener normally losing to challenge. Jeff has since retired stump the junkie, but includes the "rock and roll junkie" sound bite on the Duran Show.[14] Jeff began his radio career at KCLB 93.7 in Palm Springs, California where he worked from 1994 through 1995. To get back on the air, Dandurand paid out of his pocket to host a radio show called L.A. Rock Scene.[15] This led to full time work at KIXA, a small rock station in Victorville, California.
Jeff Duran shown above hosting Metalblitz on KLSX 97.1 in Los Angeles
Jeff caught a break hosting "Metalblitz Radio" on KLSX, an FM talk station in Los Angeles that also carried The Howard Stern Show.[16] "Metalblitz Radio" was funded by MUSICBLITZ Records, a web based label, and became the subject of high profile articles and a sold out live show. Jeff appeared on an episode of the Late Late Show[17] as a result of his weekly show. Although the show had good ratings for KLSX, "Metalblitz Radio" was dropped when MUSICBLITZ Records folded in 2001.[18]
“Duran” resurfaced in Riverside, working for KCXX an alternative rock station.[19] At KCXX, Jeff worked his way from weekend announcer to Morning Drive co host.[20] This led to a solo morning gig at active rock station KKXX-FM in Bakersfield. In January 2006, Jeff returned to Los Angeles to resume his comedy career.[21]
Duran has worked as a radio personality on:
- KKXX 104.3 FM in Bakersfield, California
- KCXX 103.9 in Riverside, California
- KLSX 97.1 in Los Angeles, California
- KIXA 106.5 in Victorville, California
- KCLB 93.7 in Palm Springs, California
- KKZQ 100.1 in Tehachapi, California
- KOCP 95.9 in Ventura, California
Duran Show
In 2007, Dandurand returned to radio as afternoon drive host on modern rock station KKZQ in Palmdale, California. Shortly after, a feud erupted between Jeff and morning show host Fathead. Both traded insults until he 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 he lost, Jeff ran on behalf of the March of Dimes in honor of a friend's baby who was born with a heart defect.[22]
Many guests appeared on the Duran Show, including Lady Gaga, who would frequent the show before becoming an international phenomenon.[23]
On February 7, 2011 Dandurand parted ways with KKZQ after three years on air. Dandurand shifted focus on his label Pop Roxx Records and comedy/music tour to support his latest CD How Embarrassing.[24]
The Duran Show will resurface for a worldwide audience in 2012. It was announced Jeff will now host the Duran Show in conjunction with 'Paparazzi-daily Radio'.[25]
Stand up
JJ Star
Duran Performing As Jeff "JJ Star" DuranJeff's presence on radio helped his edgy stand up act,[26] opening for the likes of Carlos Mencia, Pauly Shore, Dave Attell and Doug Stanhope. Dandurand started performing stand up at age 19 under the pseudonym "JJ Star",[27][28] alongside comedians Jamie Kennedy, Dane Cook and Brian Holtzman in Los Angeles. Jeff's early stand-up was modeled after the rock and roll of the late 80’s and was met with little success. According to a 1997 Los Angeles Times article, Jeff Duran was compared to Sam Kinison after an audition at the Ice House in Pasadena, CA.[29] In a 2006 television appearance, Jeff told host Denise Ames that he created JJ Star to be the "most outrageous comedian of all time."[28] Dandurand now records and performs under the moniker Jeff "JJ Star" Duran, which is a combination of his mainstream and racy personas.
How Embarrassing is the latest CD/DVD project from Jeff "JJ Star" Duran, released October 16, 2010 and featured Lady Gaga.[30][31][32][33]
Musician(2010-present)
In 2011, Duran completed work on his first all music releases. 'Still Fresh' was released under the moniker of 'JJ Star" on August 23, 2011. The album's sound is a mix of electronica, pop and hip hop elements.[34] Duran followed that up with the hip hop inspired mix tape Only Star You Need To Know. [35] Several songs including a cover of John Stewart's 1979 hit "Gold" were leaked late 2010.[36]
Duran reportedly recorded 500 songs which will be spread over several mix tapes and included in his upcoming bio pic How Embarrassing due 2012.[37]
Filmography
- Perry, Katy - The Girl Who Ran Away (2011) ......Himself
- Jeff "JJ Star" Duran: How Embarrassing [Blu-ray] (2011)......Himself
- Glamourpuss - The Lady Gaga Story (2010)....Himself
- Bon Jovi - In The Third Millennium: The Billion Dollar Quartet (2008)....Himself [38]
- Tool A Complete Review (2008) DVD Blu-Ray....Himself [39]
- Aural Amphetamine: Metallica and the Dawn Of Thrash metal (2008) DVD...Himself
- Guns N' Roses-Two Classic Albums Under Review: Use Your Illusion I and II (2007) DVD...Himself
- Green Day Under Review: 1995-2000-The Middle Years (2006) DVD...Himself
- Minding the Store(2005)(TV)[40]...Voice Only
- Whether You Like It or Not: The Story of Hedwig (2003) (V) (special thanks)
- Banned For Life (2000)...Dice, scenes deleted [41]
- Step by Step (1996) (TV)... DJ coobie
- Drives Me To Drink (1996)...Short stand-up comedy film VHS
- Megadeth's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" (1990) music video...Little Dave's friend
- Wonder Years (1989) (TV)...Kevin's bully/math class
- No Man's Land (1987)...Kid auto thief w/ Brad Pitt, scenes deleted
- The Twilight Zone (1986) (TV)...Kid on beach
- Tough Cookies (1986) (TV)...Kid on basketball court
Discography
Year Album title 2006 Still Kicking[42] 2007 Defects of Character 2010 How Embarrassing Mixtape 2011 How Embarrassing 2011 Still Fresh Hosted mixtapes
Eminem
- 2011: Relapse 2
JJ Star
- 2011: Only Star You Need To Know
References
- ^ Jeff Dandurand News, Jeff Dandurand Videos, and Jeff Dandurand Photos
- ^ Jeff Dandurand News, Jeff Dandurand Videos, and Jeff Dandurand Photos
- ^ Radio Broadcasting History
- ^ Los Angeles Radio People
- ^ Jeff Dandurand IMDB Bio
- ^ Jeff Dandurand Hollywood Reporter Biography
- ^ a b Jeff Dandurand In Celebrity Elle
- ^ Full cast and crew
- ^ Movie Station - Ultimate Movie Guide
- ^ Jeff Dandurand In No Man's Land
- ^ "The Wonder Years" Math Class (1989) - Full cast and crew
- ^ Jeff Dandurand Hollywood Reporter Bio
- ^ Step by Step Videos, Step by Step Clips, and Step by Step Quotes
- ^ http://edge100.com/onair_page.php?id=4
- ^ Jeff Edge 100.1 Radio Bio
- ^ Metalblitz Radio on KLSX 97.1
- ^ "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn" Episode dated 17 May 2001 (2001) - Full cast and crew
- ^ When Heavy Metal Ruled The Net
- ^ Clear Channel's Rash of Regionals Expands | Company Activities & Management > Company Strategy from AllBusiness.com
- ^ National Lampoon Comedy Radio
- ^ Going From Stand Up To On Air
- ^ Showdown At Drytown
- ^ LADY GAGA RARE RADIO APPEARANCE
- ^ Jeff "JJ Star" Duran: How Embarrassing [Blu-ray]
- ^ Paparazzi daily Radio
- ^ Jeff Duran at Laugh.com
- ^ JJ STAR Movie Teaser
- ^ a b Rustam Report Celebrity Interview With Jeff Duran
- ^ The Serious Side Of Comedy
- ^ Jeff "JJ Star" Duran
- ^ Duran’s How Embarrassing" now confirmed for September, will feature Lady Gaga and be final for “JJ Star”.
- ^ Comedian JJ Star's New Release To Feature Lady Gaga and Game Song Parody!!
- ^ Comedian To Release Double Disc, Features Lady Gaga And Bonus Blu-ray!
- ^ Jeff "JJ Star" Duran Beverly Hills, CA Comedy / Hip Hop / DJ!
- ^ Only Star You Need To Know
- ^ [1]
- ^ How Embarrassing]
- ^ Bon Jovi - In The Third Millennium: The Billion Dollar Quartet
- ^ Tool - The Ultimate Review
- ^ Minding The Store
- ^ Andrew Dice Clay Banned For Life
- ^ allmusic ((( Jeff "JJ Star" Duran > Discography > Main Albums )))
External links
- Jeff Dandurand at the Internet Movie Database
- Official Reverbnation
- Official Youtube
- Official Facebook
- All Music Overview
- All Movie Guide
- Hollywood Reporter
- Billboard.com Discography
Categories:- 1974 births
- American child actors
- American comedians
- Musicians from Los Angeles, California
- American film actors
- American musicians
- American DJs
- American stand-up comedians
- American television actors
- Radio personalities from California
- American people of Italian descent
- Living people
- People from Arcadia, California
- Rappers from California
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
