Vince Dantona

Infobox Comedian
name = Vince Dantona


imagesize =
caption = Vince Dantona performing at a wedding in 1989
birth_name =
birth_date = birth date and age|1949|4|2
birth_place =
nationality = American
medium = Stand-up comedy
subject =
influences =
genre = Ventriloquist
active =
website = [http://www.vinceandgeorge.com/aboutus.htm vinceandgeorge.com]
americancomedyawards = $10,000 winner on "America's Funniest People"

Vince Dantona (born April 2, 1949) is an American ventriloquist.

Career

Vince began his comedy career in Okinawa during his time in the Marine Corps, learning ventriloquism through a correspondence course by practicing in front of a mirror. Before long, Vince purchased a wooden dummy and dubbed him "George."

Vince began working on Long Island with other performers, including Eddie Murphy, Rob Bartlett, and Dave Nelson at Richard Dixon's White House Inn in North Massapequa. [ [http://www.unclevinniescomedyclub.com/booking/comedians/vince_dantona.html Vince Dantona at Uncle Vinny's Comedian Booking] ] At first, Vince had wanted to do stand-up, but found he did better with a ventriloquist act; Vince has called George his "safety net", saying, "He gets away with everything. Nobody ever gets mad at him." [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E6DE133BF937A1575AC0A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Vince Dantona] in the New York Times]

Before finishing the course, he (along with George) hosted a two-hour children's program on Armed Forces television and radio. Vince was also the first $10,000 winner on ABC-TV's "America's Funniest People" in 1981. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E6DE133BF937A1575AC0A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Vince Dantona] in the New York Times] [ [http://www.unclevinniescomedyclub.com/booking/comedians/vince_dantona.html Vince Dantona at Uncle Vinny's Comedian Booking] ] [http://www.vinceandgeorge.com/aboutus.htm Vince and George website] ]

Vince toured with the USO, entertaining United States troops. Vince and George have appeared on numerous television shows, including "Comedy Central, Good Morning America, The Joan Rivers Show, The Joe Franklin Show," and "Comedy Tonight."He has been the opening act for Soupy Sales, Henny Youngman , Robert Klein, Tiny Tim, Jay and the Americans, Martina McBride, Judy Collins, Bobby Rydell, Bobby Vinton, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Boyz II Men. [http://www.vinceandgeorge.com/aboutus.htm Vince and George website] ]

Vince regularly performs at such places as Pocono Palace in the Pocono mountains [ [http://www.caesarspoconoresorts.com/all_inclusive/comedians.aspx Vince and George at the Poconos] ] , Caesar's Resorts [ [http://entertainmentli.com/comedians4hire/talent.htm Vince and George at Comedians-4-Hire] ] , and The Tropicana in Atlantic City. [ [http://www.headlineentertainment.us/comedians/vincedantona.html Vince and George at Headline Entertainment] ]

External links

* [http://www.vinceandgeorge.com vinceandgeorge.com] - official website

References