Recently, I had the chance to chat with Jeff Fatt of the Wiggles. We had to arrange it at 8am Australia time, 5pm Dallas time, and despite a slight lag, it was like talking to an old friend. He is my boys’ favorite Wiggle – he’s been a part of our house for six years! Here’s a peek behind the purple shirt.
Jeff, you’re 54 – what is your secret to looking so young?
Apart from sleeping?!? Essentially, good genes. I like to stay active by surfing, biking, and just doing the shows is a workout. I’m also conscientious about what I eat.
What’s new with this year’s show? It’s based around nursery rhymes and music from our recent Pop Go The Wiggles album.
What are you personally most excited about? We have beautiful new sets, new costumes (beyond the colored shirts and black pants!). We find color keeps things vibrant.
What do you like best about performing? Watching the children have a good time. And, I also enjoy the camaraderie among the cast and crew, plus I get to travel the world and deliver a positive experience for children. It’s not exactly a job. More like a hobby!
How did you come up with your famous sleeping skit? Why do you think it endures? How do you keep yourself from, well, really falling asleep after doing the same performances over and over? Well, sometimes it’s real! Early on, it used to be Anthony’s skit. But, since I’m the only member who is not a child development expert, it started as way to get me involved without doing much. It’s very empowering to the children to be able to tell an adult what to do. And, I feed off the energy I get from the audience.
What’s your most memorable moment on stage? The big red car used to be an inflatable that we had to wear with shoulder straps (now it’s an electric car). One time the car started to deflate, so we steered it off stage, trying not to draw attention to our dilemma. We all tripped over it off stage, and we couldn’t contain ourselves for the rest of the show. We just kept laughing so hard.
What’s something no one knows about the new show? Anthony has been hitting the gym religiously – the shows will feature a new and improved Anthony!
What really happens to all the roses brought to Dorothy the Dinosaur? When it’s possible, we donate the roses to area hospitals (for patients).
What has been the reaction to the newest Wiggle? Sam has been received very well. He’s basically part of the furniture for us – a natural part of the Wiggles.
Do you still voice Henry the Octopus? No, he’s voiced by Captain Feathersword now.
How much are you involved in planning the actual shows? Anthony and our choreographer do the main planning, but we are all involved in one way or another.
Any secret pre-show routines? We do a 30-minute warm-up. Except for me. I sleep (laughs). And we take our coffee machine with us wherever we go. Anthony even brings beans from Australia. We’re pretty serious about our coffee protocol.
How different is your life after the show – do you have anonymity when out of costume? Or are you stalked by the paparazzi? The paparazzi don’t follow us. We’re not very interesting (chuckles). We’re recognized most amongst people with children. We have parents who come up to us on the street or at airports and give us positive comments, usually with their kids hiding behind them! It’s always a nice experience. I don’t mind it at all.
What do you like to do when visiting different cities? Especially Dallas-Fort Worth? Have you been to the Wiggly Play Center? Yes, we’ve visited the Wiggly Play Center. We don’t get much free time. If I get a day off, I’ll ride my push (fold out) bike to a mall. Or we have our usual eating-places.
And what kind of food do you crave — that is when you’re not eating fruit salad? I love seafood and spaghetti – just not too much sauce.
How do you feel about the color purple when you are not in costume? What’s your real favorite color? I like blue. I hardly ever wear purple outside of the show (hearty laughter).
Do you have hobbies or talents outside of music and entertainment? Surfing and architecture. I have a background in industrial design.
What has been your neatest celebrity encounter? There have been quite a few. Robert De Niro is interesting – he has such an aura about him. It was very intimidating with him sitting there watching the Wiggles and eating popcorn. We met him backstage, and he’s surprisingly very reserved. His little boy is a huge Wiggles fan. Jerry Seinfeld was at that same show, and we’re big fans of Jerry. Nicolas Cage is in Melbourne, Australia, and he requested tickets, so we might get to meet him.
Do you prefer to be on stage or filming for TV? It’s lots of fun to do both. We have lots of laughs on the road. When we’re taping shows, we know we’re going to be home, and it’s nice to sleep in my own bed.
Who are your favorite performers – videos you like to watch obsessively? Back in my rock and roll days [he used to perform with a pop band, The Cockroaches] I loved Spinal Tap. I kind of get that whole parody on rock and roll concept (chortles).
What are you reading at the moment? I’m not a big reader, but I am currently reading Ronnie: The Autobiography about Ronnie Wood, guitarist for The Rolling Stones.
What would you’d like to be if you could grow up all over again? Well, I guess I’d be a great surfer. But it wouldn’t be bad to come back as a Wiggle either.
Although you don’t have children of your own, do you have advice for parents on raising wholesome kids; ideas for activities that convey same values as The Wiggles? Just this: Go for stuff that’s non-threatening. Stay away from the violence and sarcasm. They are going to get plenty of that when they grow up.
What makes The Wiggles internationally successful – crossing all boundaries, such as gender, race and age? We really pitch things at a child’s level. We’re always focused on: What’s in this for the child? And, music is the universal language – essentially, it’s part of everyone’s lives.
How do you use your fame to give back? Right now we are UNICEF ambassadors, focused on water sanitization and health for children. We’re about to do a UNICEF show in Sydney. And, we always arrange to meet kids with disabilities backstage at our shows.
I read that your doll is, by far, the hardest to find. How does that make you feel? Any tips on finding one? I don’t even have one (flat out giggles)! I would suggest making one; get cardboard and markers and get creative. You don’t have to buy a Jeff doll, you can make your own!
Can you close your eyes at night without hearing a thousand little voices screaming, “Wake up, Jeff?” In my last house, teenagers would drive by late at night and yell, “Wake up, Jeff!” So, I moved, and now I sleep fine!
