Jeffrey Doucette (born November 25, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, and director. Doucette toured for years with Ernst Emling as the comedy duo Jeff and Ernst. Doucette has appeared in over 90 films and television shows and written two play.. He has also been a voice artist in many television commercials and cartoon and portrayedBenjamin Franklin in ads for numerous brands.

Born inMilwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the second of eight children born to Elizabeth "Betty" (née Andres) and William "Bill" Doucette.

Doucette graduated fromMarquette University High School in the mid-1960s. After high school, he attendedLewis University inRomeoville, Illinois, where he became the first Theater Major at the university. After hisundergraduate studies, Doucette enrolled in thegraduate school atNorthern Illinois University, seeking an additional theater degree.

In 1974, Doucette moved toChicago, joiningThe Second Cityimprov theater. During his time at Second City, Doucette met his future comedy partner, Ernst Emling, and formed the comedy duo Jeff and Ernst. Under the guidance of improv teacherDel Close, the pair were quickly signed by theWilliam Morris Agency and began to tour the U.S. withfolk singerBob Gibson, eventually opening in larger venues for acts includingBarry Manilow andThe Spinners.

In 1976, Doucette and Emling moved toLos Angeles, joining the ranks of a burgeoning group of young comics, includingFreddie Prinze,Jay Leno,David Letterman,Richard Lewis,Robin Williams,Michael Keaton,Jim Varney, andAndy Kaufman. After many appearances onvariety andtalk shows, the pair made their first appearance onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1977.^{[citation needed]}

To date, Doucette has appeared in over 92 films and television series, includingSplash,All The Way,^[1]The Dentist 2,Desperate Housewives,Weird Science,Newhart,Alien Nation,Townies,Dog With A Blog,3rd Rock from the Sun,ER,That '70s Show andBeverly Hills 90210. He has been a voice artist in many television commercials and cartoons.^[2][3]

Doucette was the main antagonist in theBollywood filmHisss and appeared in theDisney World attractionCranium Command.

In television commercials, Doucette has portrayedBenjamin Franklin in ads forChevrolet Volt:Quicken Loans;Ballpark's Finest Hot Dogs; andEl Monterrey breakfast foods. He also made a special appearance as Franklin onMike & Molly.

Doucette is also a writer and director, having written two plays:Big Head Women, a science-fiction comedy; andWithout Annette, an improvisational comedy written with actress and writer Hope Juber and published by Playscripts, Inc. in 2015.

In 1991, Doucette received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Lead Performance for "Rage, or I'll Be Home For Christmas" at the Alliance Theater inBurbank.^{[citation needed]} In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH).^[4]

Doucette and his wife, Saba, are licensed spiritual practitioners in theUnited Centers for Spiritual Living; they are active as teachers, counselors and teen and 'tween group leaders. HisLife Play seminars and workshops focus on improvisation as a path for spiritual and self-discovery.

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• Jeff Doucette atIMDb

• 1947 births
• American male comedians
• American male film actors
• American male television actors
• American male voice actors
• Comedians from Milwaukee
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• Male actors from Milwaukee

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