Andy Gross

Andy Gross (born Andrew Gross on May 10, 1968) is an American former professional racquetball player, now a touring comedian, ventriloquist, magician, and illusionist. He is known for his television and film appearances, and for his live touring show called Andy Gross's MindBoggling Variety Show.

Gross was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Marshall and Joan Gross, where he attended Parkway Central High School. At 15, Gross became the youngest professional racquetball player in the history of the sport, winning a record number of Southern California tournaments in the years leading up to his retirement at the age of 26.

Following his athletic career, Gross established himself as an entertainer, creating a live act that combines comedy, ventriloquism, and magic. His talent as a ventriloquist has been put to use in television series such as Beverly Hills, 90210 and Las Vegas, as well as in the sci-fi Web series After Judgment.

Since 2000, Gross has toured the United States with his MindBoggling Variety Show, which combines his comedy, magic, and ventriloquism with large-scale stage illusions. Among the more notable ventriloquist's dummy characters in the stage act is Steve, The Customer Service Guy, a soft puppet who dispenses computer repair support by telephone.

Andy Gross performing with Steve, The Customer Service Guy

In 2013, Gross created a video depicting a unique spin on the classic cut-in-half illusion that he dubs the "Split Man" trick, which makes it appear as though the entertainer has been severed in two but is still able to walk about. The video, shot guerrilla-style in various public places in which unsuspecting passersby are jarred by the sudden appearance of his 'Split Man,' premiered on the Web before being showcased on a variety of national platforms such as The Huffington Post, FOX, CNN, AOL, Yahoo!, Google, and Showbiz Tonight with A.J. Hammer.

Gross owns a sizeable and significant collection of ventriloquist dummies and memorabilia, which frequently supplies props for television, film, and stage productions. Additionally, since 1997, he has designed a line of toys, prank novelties, and magic tricks for LA Magic & Toy that are sold in toy and gift stores globally, having won the Top 10 Duracell Kids Choice Award for one of his designs.

Gross is married to April Bartlett, with whom he has four children: Audrey Lynn, model Riley Jane, model and actress Morgan Lily, and actor and Groundlings alum Jordan David. His brother is David A. Gross, also a performer and former professional racquetball player.