Jeff Foxworthy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jeff Foxworthy |
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Foxworthy in 2010
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| Birth name | Jeffrey Marshall Foxworthy |
| Born | September 6, 1958 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Medium | Stand-up, film, radio, television |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Genres | Observational, word play, sitcom |
| Subject(s) | Marriage, Southern culture, everyday life, family, rednecks |
| Spouse |
Pamela Gregg
(m. 1985) |
| Children | 2 |
Jeffrey Marshall Foxworthy (born September 6, 1958) is a famous American comedian, actor, and writer. He is well-known for his funny "You might be a redneck" jokes. Jeff is also a part of the popular Blue Collar Comedy Tour. In this tour, he performs with other comedians like Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall.
Jeff has released many successful comedy albums. His first two albums sold millions of copies! He has also written several books based on his jokes. You might have seen him on TV too, as he has hosted game shows and starred in his own sitcom.
Contents
Early life and first steps
Jeffrey Marshall Foxworthy was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 6, 1958. He was the first of three children. His dad worked for a big computer company called IBM. Jeff's family has roots in England. His grandfather was a firefighter for over 30 years.
Jeff went to Hapeville High School. He then studied at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. However, he left college just before finishing. For five years, he worked at IBM, just like his dad. His co-workers encouraged him to try comedy. In 1984, Jeff entered and won a comedy contest at a club in Atlanta. This was the start of his comedy career!
Comedy career highlights
Funny albums and awards
In 1993, Jeff released a comedy album called You Might Be a Redneck If…. This album became super popular and started a fun trend with his "You Might Be a Redneck" jokes. It sold over three million copies!
His album Games Rednecks Play, released in 1995, was nominated for a Grammy Award. This award is a big deal in the music world. Another album, Totally Committed, came out in 1998. It also received a Grammy nomination. The music video for a song from this album even featured famous baseball players!
Television shows and hosting
In 1995, Jeff starred in his own TV show called The Jeff Foxworthy Show. It was a sitcom based on his stand-up comedy. The show aired on ABC and later on NBC. Jeff later said that the TV networks didn't quite understand his Southern humor.
Jeff has hosted many TV shows. He was the host of Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? This was a popular game show where adults answered questions from school textbooks. He also hosted The American Bible Challenge, a game show about the Bible.
In 2005, Jeff was the subject of a "Comedy Central Roast." This is a special TV show where other comedians make fun of him in a playful way. He also appeared as a guest "Shark" on the TV show Shark Tank, where people present their business ideas.
Blue Collar Comedy Tour
In the early 2000s, Jeff's career became even more popular because of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. He toured the country with three other comedians: Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White, and Bill Engvall. They performed for huge crowds, telling jokes about everyday life. The tour was so successful that it lasted for three whole years!
After the tour, Jeff launched a TV series called Blue Collar TV in 2004. He was an executive producer and starred in it with Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall. The show featured funny skits and characters.
Books and writing
Jeff Foxworthy has written several books. His most famous book is You Might Be a Redneck If... (1989). He also wrote his own story called No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem! (1996).
He has also written a series of "Redneck Dictionary" books, which are full of funny definitions. In 2008, Jeff started writing children's books, like Dirt On My Shirt and Silly Street.
Radio and other projects
In 1999, Jeff started his own weekly radio show called The Foxworthy Countdown. It played the top country music songs of the week. He even received an award nomination for his radio work.
Jeff is also a big fan of hunting and the outdoors. In 2011, he launched Foxworthy Outdoors, a website with hunting products. He also hosts a web series there, showing his hunting and fishing trips.
In 2017, Jeff created a fun card game called Relative Insanity. It's a game similar to Cards Against Humanity, but with a family theme. People say it makes you laugh a lot!
Personal life
Jeff Foxworthy met his wife, Pamela Gregg, at a comedy club in Atlanta. They got married on September 18, 1985. They have two daughters named Jordan and Julianne. Jeff loves hunting and has been doing it since he was a teenager on his family's farm.
Jeff tries to keep his jokes about everyday life and not about politics. He has said that he doesn't like it when fake jokes about politics are shared online and said to be his.
Discography
- You Might Be a Redneck If... (1993)
- Games Rednecks Play (1995)
- Crank It Up: The Music Album (1996)
- Totally Committed (1998)
- Big Funny (2000)
- Have Your Loved Ones Spayed or Neutered (2006)
Accolades
Jeff Foxworthy has won and been nominated for several awards for his comedy work:
- In 1990, he won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic.
- His album Games Rednecks Play was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1996.
- In 1996, he won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Series for The Jeff Foxworthy Show.
- His album Totally Committed was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1999.
- In 2007, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One for the Road special was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.
- His game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2010.
- The American Bible Challenge was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show in 2014. Jeff was also nominated for Outstanding Game Show Host that same year.
See also
- List of stand-up comedians
- List of game show hosts
