Jeff Duran

Jeff Dandurand (born February 13, 1974), mostly known as Jeff Duran, is an American Radio Personality, Comedian, Songwriter, Motivational Speaker and former child actor who is based in Los Angeles, California.

Child actor
Dandurand's mother was the first to nurture his creative aspirations and began taking him on auditions by the time he was 11. Jeff was able to obtain management and sign with the Savage Agency, which resulted in bit parts on television and in film. Jeff Duran began his career as a child actor appearing in one episode of Tough Cookies, a short-lived sitcom that starred Robby Benson. Jeff's role as "kid auto thief" was omitted from the theatrical release of No Man's Land, a 1987 film starring Charlie Sheen and then unknown Brad Pitt who played a "waiter". According to IMDB, Jeff also appeared in Twilight Zone and the ABC series The Wonder Years episodes: "Math Class" (1989) and "Rock and Roll" (1990) as Jeff Dandurand. Jeff was also cast as one of "Lil Dave's" friends by Penelope Spheeris in a video for the group Megadeth. Dandurand’s last appearance as a child actor was "DJ COOBY" in the ABC sitcom Step By Step.

Radio DJ
Jeff began his radio career at KCLB 93.7 in Palm Springs, California where he worked from 1994 through 1995. To get back on the air, Dandurand paid out of his pocket to host a radio show called L.A. Rock Scene. This led to full-time work at KIXA, a small rock station in Victorville, California.



Jeff caught a break hosting "Metalblitz Radio" on KLSX, an FM talk station in Los Angeles that also carried The Howard Stern Show. "Metalblitz Radio" was funded by MUSICBLITZ Records, a web based label, and became the subject of high profile articles and a sold out live show. Jeff appeared on an episode of the Late Late Show as a result of his  weekly show. Although the show had good ratings for KLSX, "Metalblitz Radio" was dropped when MUSICBLITZ Records folded the following year.

“Duran” resurfaced in Riverside, working for KCXX an alternative rock station. At KCXX, Jeff worked his way from weekend announcer to Morning Drive co host. This led to a solo morning gig at active rock station KKXX-FM in Bakersfield. In January 2006, Jeff returned to Los Angeles to resume his comedy career.

On Southern California radio, Jeff has been most-known as the "rock and roll junkie." At KLSX, KCXX and KIXA, Dandurand would urge callers to stump the junkie on his vast music knowledge, with the listener normally losing to challenge. Duran retired the bit because he felt New York radio personality Eddie Trunk ripped it off. Duran includes the "rock and roll junkie" sound bite on his mixtapes.

Duran has worked as a radio personality on:
 * KKXX 104.3 FM in Bakersfield, California
 * KCXX 103.9 in Riverside, California
 * KLSX 97.1 in Los Angeles
 * KIXA 106.5 in Victorville, California
 * KCLB 93.7 in Palm Springs, California
 * KZXY 102.7 in Victorville, California
 * KFLG 106.7 in Laughlin, Nevada
 * KKZQ 100.1 in Tehachapi, California
 * KOCP 95.9 in  Ventura, California

The Duran Show
In 2007, Dandurand returned to radio as afternoon drive host on modern rock station KKZQ in Palmdale, California. Jeff also became Music Director and assistant Program Director in addition to his daily radio show. Duran Show was also carried briefly in Ventura, CA on the now defunct KOCP 95.9.

Many guests appeared on the Duran Show, including Lady Gaga, who would frequent the show before becoming an international phenomenon.

Duran parted ways with KKZQ in early 2011.

In January 2012, the Duran Show was re-launched in conjunction with the Beverly Hills based celebrity gossip site Paparazzi Daily.

Jeff "JJ Star" Duran
JJ Star is the stage name and alternate persona of Jeff Dandurand. JJ Star was originally the name of the band Dandurand fronted while in high school. Jeff started performing stand up in Los Angeles in the mid 90's and was met with little success. The twenty-year career of JJ Star is chronicled in the 2012 documentary How Embarrassing.

JJ Star has toured as an emcee and opening act for Carlos Mencia, Pauly Shore, Mike Epps, Dave Attell and Doug Stanhope.

How Embarrassing and Documentary
Dandurand has released four studio albums as Jeff "JJ Star" Duran. Most notable is How Embarrassing, released March 9, 2011, the double album featured Lady Gaga. How Embarrassing inspired a documentary that follows Dandurand re-inventing JJ Star as a rapper and motivational speaker. This 60 Minute video is to be released with the deluxe edition of How Embarrassing in fall 2012.

On July 10, 2012 Cursed Since Birth, the fourth album from Jeff "JJ Star" Duran was released through Island/Def Jam Digital Distribution. The follow up to How Embarrassing features spoken word, skits and original songs by Dandurand. In an interview with Blackwall, Dandurand stated that his next release will be all stand up.

Musician/Mixtape DJ/Producer/A&R/Writer/Commentary
Besides releasing mix tapes for other artists like Nicki Minaj and Eminem, Jeff completed work on his first all music release as a artist in August 2011. JJ Star started performing music shows with backing band, strippers and DJ. Most notable was his "Illuminati Review" at the World Famous Whisky Au Go Go in Hollywood, CA on May 15, 2012. Dandurand has recorded over 700 songs, many have been submitted to artists such as Britney Spears, Selena Gomez and Pink. Dandurand has also worked A&R and contributed to biographies on Lady Gaga, Green Day, Metallica, Guns N Roses, Katy Perry and Tool.

Public Speaker/Author
With what he dubbed "Talks Of Truth", Dandurand teaches an accessible process of discovering spiritual identity and it's inherent power. Although some "talks" deal in conspiracy theory, Dandurand teaches that one cannot evolve politically, socially or economically until one evolves spiritually. Dandurand is finishing up his first book that will be culled from the subject matter behind these "Talks of Truth".

Filmography

 * How Embarrassing (2012).........J.J. Star
 * Perry, Katy – The Girl Who Ran Away (2011) ......Himself
 * Jeff "JJ Star" Duran: How Embarrassing [Blu-ray] (2011)......Himself
 * Glamourpuss – The Lady Gaga Story (2010)....Himself
 * Bon Jovi – in the Third Millennium: The Billion Dollar Quartet (2008)....Himself
 * Tool A Complete Review (2008) DVD Blu-Ray....Himself
 * Aural Amphetamine: Metallica and the Dawn Of Thrash metal (2008) DVD...Himself
 * Guns N' Roses-Two Classic Albums Under Review: Use Your Illusion I and II (2007) DVD...Himself
 * Green Day Under Review: 1995-2000-The Middle Years (2006) DVD...Himself
 * Minding the Store (2005)(TV) Voice Only
 * Whether You Like It or Not: The Story of Hedwig (2003) (V) (special thanks)
 * Banned For Life (2000)...Dice, scenes deleted
 * Step by Step (1996) (TV)... DJ coobie
 * Drives Me To Drink (1996)...Short stand-up comedy film VHS
 * Megadeth's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" (1990) music video...Little Dave's friend
 * Wonder Years (1989) (TV)...Kevin's bully/math class
 *  No Man's Land (1987)...Kid auto thief w/ Brad Pitt, scenes deleted
 * The Twilight Zone (1986) (TV)...Kid on beach
 * Tough Cookies (1986) (TV)...Kid on basketball court

Other releases

 * 2012: How Embarrassing (DVD)
 * 2011: Hip Hope Dope
 * 2011: Hip Hope Dope 2
 * 2012: Hip Hope Dope 3