bransonglobe.com LOCAL • OLIVER Continued from page 10 father passed away from cancer. “That little Ventriloquist dummy helped me deal with my loss and sadness,” he said. “I also discovered that the little character could make other people happy too.” He began performing his “act” whenever he could. After High School he began printing his act in schools, clubs and cruise ships. As showmen know, there has to be constant changes to an act to keep audiences entertained.Todd came up with an idea that not only got attention. It changed his life. “One day I was looking at my dog and thought, ‘I bet you would have a lot to say if you could talk,’” he said. A few months later, Oliver’s Boston Terrier ‘Irving,’ premiered as ‘America’s real talking dog.’ Throughout the years there have been six ‘Irvings.’ Each one has been family pets and lived out their lives in our home.” After Irving became the famous ‘talking dog,’ Oliver’s success attracted Hollywood agents and he was asked to make appearances on David Letterman’s Ventriloquist Week, The Tonight Show, other national TV shows and some weekly series episodes. Oliver has played theaters across the country, and is glad to be back in Branson. “I’ve been very blessed. TV is great fun, but a ventriloquist makes his living doing shows,” he said. “Making families laugh together is the goal. My best memories are those of me and my family all laughing together. I want to make that happen for families across America.” Showtimes are at 11 a.m., 4 p.m. (5 p.m. after July 27) and 7 p.m. Call (417) 334-4191 Todd Oliver and friends. (Special to Branson Globe) July 24 - 25, 2020 • 11
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