If a renaissance man is defined as someone with a wide variety of skills and interests, then Jeff Collins is truly a renaissance performer. After all, how many performers can boast of a career that ranges from stand-up comedy to riding on the backs of killer whales?

Born in Ancaster, Ontario, Jeff was only 5 years old when he made his debut as a magician to an audience of family and friends. By the age of 12 he had graduated in to the circus arts and added fire-eating, sword-swallowing, unicycling and clowning to his repertoire. At 18 he added yet another twist, spending a year at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario riding on the backs of Killer Whales. In fact, one of the whales Jeff worked with was named Keiko and recently gained international fame as the star of "Free Willy"!

A good education has always been important to Jeff. In fact, many of his performances include a "stay in school" message. Following his graduation from high school, Jeff performed as a close-up magician in bars and restaurants while working towards a degree in Television Broadcasting. He graduated in 1983 and took the next 6 years off the performing circuit to develop a sucessful career in that field as a technical director and editor. Performing is in the blood though and Jeff eventually found himself spending all of his free time back in front of a crowd. This time it was with his friend Don Estabrook as the variety act "Just Us". Jeff said good-bye to his TV job and "Just Us" toured extensively across Canada and the United States from 1991-1996 developed a reputation as Canada's best juggling duo and one of the top variety acts in the country.

In August of 1996, Don announced he was leaving "Just Us" and settling down in the Ottawa area where he is now the proud father of a beautiful baby girl. For Jeff, this provided an opportunity to stretch his wings and try to crack the overseas market. (something "Just Us" had never quite managed.) He debuted his new solo show in a shopping complex in Singapore and has been going strong ever since! The past few years have seen new venues opening up and he has played a part in everything from clown conventions to rock concerts. (He has appeared along side such bands as Great Big Sea, The Rankins, The Philosopher Kings, Our Lady Peace, Moist, Sloan and I Mother Earth.) He was even invited to spend Canada Day 2000 performing close-up magic in the center block of the Parliament Buildings for the Prime Minister's VIP reception! Constantly on the lookout for new ideas and routines, you just never know what he will be doing next!

Jeff Collins: Magician... juggler... fire-eater... fool. A true renaissance performer!