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' MindBoggling Variety Show. Life and career 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 ventriloquism 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.