Terry Fator Net Worth: How Rich is the Ventriloquist Actually?

Terry Fator is an American ventriloquist, stand-up comedian, and impressionist. He gained national fame after winning the second season of America’s Got Talent in August 2007. After winning the talent show, he received a 5-year multi-million dollar contract to headline shows in Las Vegas. As of 2023, Terry Fator net worth is estimated to be around $150 million.

Who is Terry Fator?

Terry Fator is one of the world’s highest-paid comedians from Texas. He performed two shows at the Las Vegas Hilton after winning America’s Got Talent. Both his shows were fully sold out. Thereafter, he signed a contract for $1.5 to perform three shows a month at the Las Vegas Hilton. Fator is also a member and official supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Fator was born on June 10, 1965, in Dallas, Texas. He was raised by his parents, Edith Marie and Jephtha Wesley Fator. Fator studied at Liberty University. He was studying in fifth grade when his ventriloquism career started. He further learned more about ventriloquism through a book titled Ventriloquism for Fun and Profit.

Terry Fator Net Worth & Career

 

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Terry Fator was 10 years of age when he got his first ventriloquism dummy. He used to entertain his family and friends with his ventriloquism. Terry also would impersonate famous singers and actors. He got his first puppet at 18 years old. His mom brought his first puppet by saving up her money for 3 years. Fator became the lead singer of the band, Freedom Jam in 1987-88. With the band, he performed at more than 200 high schools and middle schools.

Fator became the lead singer of the showband, Texas the Band in mid-1988. While performing for the showband, he used to incorporate his puppet Walter T. Airedale. He decided to focus on solo acts after leaving the band. Thereafter, he was focusing more on comedy and ventriloquism. However, he couldn’t achieve success for several years. In fact, he was about to give up ventriloquism and humor, however, he got back to his ultimate goal after being encouraged by his family.

Terry included impersonations into his routines in 2005 while he performed on Friends in Low Places. His performance eventually won him critical reception from the audience. Later, he landed more opportunities, and then he started performing at corporate functions for AT&T and General Motors.

Terry came into national recognition in June 2007 after he appeared on the talent show, America’s Got Talent. He eventually won the talent show. When he came onstage for the first time, he had no hope that he could win the show. After winning the show, his schedule got so packed that he couldn’t find time to perform at some shows.

In April 2007, he performed at Christian singer, Larry Norman’s 60th birthday party. After that, he appeared as n honored guest on his debut show at the Las Vegas Hilton. He performed two shows at the Las Vegas Hilton on October 14 and 15, 2007. Terry was signed to do three shows a month at the Las Vegas Hilton from January 2008 to May 2008. Following that, he appeared on the TV show, The Oprah Winfrey Show along with Simon Cowell, who referred to him as one of the two most talented people on the planet.

In May 2008, it came into the news that he had signed a five-year contract worth $100 million to perform nightly on Las Vegas Strip’s casino resort, The Mirage. Terry returned to America’s Got Talent in September 2008 for their Top Twenty Results Show. In the show, he brought back his puppet, Winston, an impersonated Turtle to sing the song, Let’s Get It On. In September 2011, he again received an invitation to perform at the finals of America’s Got Talent.

Terry Fator’s Wife and Personal Life

Terry Fator has been married three times. First, he married Melinda Fator in 1991. He met Melinda while he was touring with Texas the Band. Back then, she was just a fan who would follow him while on tour. Melinda filed for divorce in 2009 and they officially separated in 2010.

Then, he tied the knot with Taylor Makakoa in November 2010 in Hawaii. . His second marriage lasted for five years until 2015. Terry later started dating Angele Fiore. He met her through his sister. The two turned into a married couple after he proposed to her on stage.

Terry Fator Net Worth

Terry Fator has earned an estimated net worth of $160 million as of 2023. After the conclusion of his contract with the Las Vegas Hilton, he had signed a 5-year $100 million deal to perform nightly at the resort, The Mirage. The contract deal is considered one of the largest comedy deals in history.

Fator has also been involved in charity work. He appeared in Montana in July 2007 to raise funds for the Kidsports Sports Complex. Fator also performed to contribute for families of miners in Huntington in 2007.