"The Amazing Earl" was the very first character Dan created and remains his most popular to date.

Just before taking Earl out into the public for the first time, Dan realized that he'd never quite decided what Earl's voice should sound like.

Standing before a mirror, he ran through his whole littany of vocal styles and couldn't find one that seemed natural coming from that face. So, Dan decided that this first time out, Earl would just avoid talking.

...and he's not spoken a word in fifteen years.

Earl's "Amazing" title came from the fact that he was originally intended to be a Magic Clown. However Dan soon discovered that THIS character was amazing in other, even more surprising ways.

Audiences of all ages connected instantly with Earl. Using pantomime, he was able to effortlessly cross language and social barriers. He seemed able to hold an audience's rapt attention with the smallest of movements.

But the biggest surprise came when Earl not only coaxed laughter from audiences, but tears as well...quite often at the same time.

"Earl" was named after Dan's paternal Grandfather, from whom much of the character was derived. His never-give-up attitude, the way he meets obstacles with a wide smile, never raises his voice -- even Earl's waddling walk all came from Grandpa Wolfe.

Many people, those old enough to recall him, often think that Dan based the character on Red Skelton's "Freddie the Freeloader." Not true.

According to Dan, "To be quite honest, I didn't even know who Red Skelton was. Sure, he was on television for 17 years, but the show was cancelled in 1971...I was four years old.

"People would comment that 'There's a lot of Red Skelton in you.' I had no idea what they meant. Was that good?

"I found out that it's a HUGE compliment, of course! Red was the absolute best. I'd hoped to meet him before he passed away. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. But it's still an honor just to be mentioned in the same breath as that man."

Like all of us, Earl has changed a bit over the years, but his goal has remained the same -- to brighten spirits, to never offend and to make people laugh.

Some things shouldn't change.

Both Red and Grandpa would be proud.

This character was created following a radio appearance when the interviewer asked Dan, "Do you think you'll ever retire?"

Dan thought, "Do I look THAT bad at 32?"

Naturally, he replied that he hoped to keep entertaining audiences until the day he dies...but Dan later contemplated what his act might really look like in fifty years.

Thus, the "Little Old Man" was born.

Although the character doesn't have an official name, he's been occasionally called into action as "Prof. Sham T. Fakenfoney" during Dan's Halloween shows.

Later, he even made a few Christmas appearances as Santa's Oldest Elf...now retired and spilling the beans about his former employer's magical operation at the North Pole.

In a recent kid-themed show, he became the bumbling Headmaster of "Warthog's School of Magic & Mystery."

But when it comes right down to it, this character LOVES to do Stand-up Comedy.

Discussing the foibles of getting older, he's become a favorite with older Baby Boomers, Golden-Agers and those proud enough to actually call themselves "Senior Citizens."

Although he makes brief appearances during many of Dan's Concerts, he's often pressed into action for functions involving Older Americans.

...or as he would call it,
working the "Blue-Hair Circuit."

His distinctive voice has even graced one of Dan's Comedy Songs, "Senility," a commentary on getting older, set to the tune of "Yesterday" by The Beates.

So, does Dan think he'll really be like this when he reaches 85?

"Adults think he's hilarious, kids think he's goofy and Seniors just think he's adorable.

If I do end up as this guy, I'll be the hit of the nursing home."

How does one explain "Rufus?" Let's just say that the Sixties were VERY good to this fellow...even if he can't remember them.

Actually, he's a little fuzzy on the 70's, 80's and 90's, too.

Imagine a combination of Cheech AND Chong, Bill AND Ted, cleaned up, dealing with the modern world and trying to find his way back to Haight-Ashbury.

Originally conceived to relate to Teenagers, Dan soon discovered that this character worked with just about any audience.

"I've known people like this," Dan says. "He's the typical fish-out-of-water scenario, but his simple logic and views on society are pretty universal. The guy's a hoot!"

His look at life comes from the slightly baffled view of an outsider -- the commentary of someone who's not quite kept up with the times.

"I feel like that Back to the Future kid, y'know? Only, like backwards...and without the cool car. Thank God I missed Disco."

When speaking at Christian Events and Youth Retreats, Rufus goes on to explain that he started his own group. "It's called 'Dudes for Jesus.'

"You know, like, when you're drivin' down the highway and you see 'I-Heart-Jesus,' like, sprayed on an overpass?

"That's us."

One of Dan's comic inspirations has always been Jerry Lewis. So, take a wild guess where THIS character comes from.

"Charlie" is a serious scientist and handles most of the technologically advanced routines in Dan's shows. To him, they're not magic tricks, but newly discovered inventions.

This character claims to do research for a number of different organizations. Currently he works for the "Brotherhood for the Elimination of Laughter, Comedy and Humor (B.E.L.C.H.)."

Of course, his stated goal is NOT to be funny, but as you'd expect, he fails miserably until they're rolling in the aisles.

At Christian Events, Charlie generally represents the "National Endowment for the Research and Decoding of Scripture (N.E.R.D.S.)" and his attempts to use technology to explain Biblical concepts.

For instance, he's used Scriptural codes combined with simple mathematical calculations to absolutely and hilariously prove that according to the Bible, Barney, the cute purple dinosaur, IS the Anti-Christ.

"It's true! It's right there in black and white...and it's NOT funny!"

Oh, yes it certainly is.