American comedian Willie Brown's father wasn't too impressed the first time a dummy showed up at his house.

As a teenager, Mr. Brown worked odd jobs to save up for a professional ventriloquist's dummy that cost the enormous sum of $135.

"When the delivery man told my father that would be $135 cash on delivery, he told me 'you're the dummy. They saw you coming'."

This Friday, Mr. Brown will headline Extreme Entertainment's 'Live Stand Up Comedy' at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel.

In recent years his father has had to recant, as his son appeared on Showtime Network's 'Barbershop', movies like 'All About You', 'Issues', and 'Tears', to name a few.

He has also toured with comedic greats such as Steve Harvey and Cedric The Entertainer.

In fact, it has been said that Willie Brown, Jr. has "made dummies cool again". Mr. Brown describes his character Woody as "the original homeboy".

"We talk about life as it affects us," he said. "It is not a puppet show. It is for adults. I am not saying it is profane. I talk to the working person."

Woody says of himself: "I used to be a tree.

"I traced my roots back to an oak tree back in New York City. I call my mother long distance 'a tree and tree'."

Mr. Brown and Woody are currently touring with Shelly Garrett's hit play 'Beauty Shop 2009' and with 'The Browns of Comedy'.

In the play 'Beauty Shop' Woody plays Romeo Love, the boyfriend of the beauty shop receptionist.

"Shelly Garrett is considered the godfather of black theatre," Mr Brown said. "He inspired people like Tyler Perry and a lot of other playwrights out here.

"It is an honour to be able to work with him. We have been on tour all year long.

"It would be great to bring it to Bermuda. Someone has to know about it. It is crazy."

Mr. Brown started out as a kid with an interest in magic.

"My mother bought me a magic kit for Christmas one year," he said. "My motivation was to fool my friends.

"Ventriloquism is a similar art form to magic. I was inspired by the television show called 'Soap' that starred Billy Crystal among other people."

At the age of 13, while all the other kids were asking for video games, Mr. Brown wanted a dummy for Christmas.

"I got one, but I didn't let the other kids know," he said. "I would hide him when my friends came over. I would practice in front of the mirror for hours."

He finally came out about his dummy at a talent show put on by his mother's place of employment.

"After the show, people were asking 'How much do you charge?'."

After graduating from Hampton University, Virginia, he worked for Xerox and other companies for many years, doing magic and ventriloquism on the side.

His showbiz career was catapulted into high gear when he was laid off from a job at Southwestern Bell. He started doing school shows during the day and adult comedy at night in the Maryland and Washington, DC, area.

He made his television debut on BET comic view in 1992.

After that he was on HBO's Def Comedy Jam.

Recently, he added a new character, Uncle Rufus, based on his father.

"I am basing it on my father who seems to get grumpier as he gets older," said Mr. Brown. "Uncle Rufus has his own unique opinions about things."

Mr. Brown took Uncle Rufus home to meet his father. And finally, his father was impressed.

"My father loved him," said Mr. Brown. "He laughed.

"Uncle Rufus will have a wife, hopefully soon. I am going to keep expanding and keep it funny. I want to take it to the next level."

This is not the first time Mr. Brown has been in Bermuda. He appeared with local comedian Bootsie, aka Earlwin Wolffe, a few years ago.

He said the Extreme Entertainment show was going to be great. "It will be hilarious," he said. "People are definitely going to have a good time. Be ready to laugh. It will make your stomach hurt."

To other young people coming up, Mr. Brown said the sky is the limit.

"Nobody knows what you are capable of," he said. "Sometimes even your parents don't know. So don't let go of your dreams."

The evening will be hosted by local comedian Jah.

Other acts will include Bermudian comedian Gina Davis, Adam Hunter, a finalist on Last Comic Standing, and Reggie Reg.

The Extreme Comedy 'Live Stand Up Comedy' show will be at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel on November 20 at 9.30 p.m.

Tickets are $60 regular and $85 VIP. VIP seating includes up close table seating and complimentary champagne.

Tickets can be purchased at www.bdatix.com or 27th Century Boutique or Shannons in the Washington Mall.

For more information about Mr. Brown go to williebrownandwoody.com.