Meet the Zukes

The two-man comedy juggling team is composed of two very clever and talented boys - Jim Van Hook and Todd Key.

Jim has been an actor most of his life (he only realized this a few months ago). Even as a small child, directing the neighborhood kids in imaginative play such as “Wagon Train,” “Space Travel,” or “My Sister’s a Dog and I’m a Lion That Can Talk So Look Out,” he usually had a leading role. As one of the Zucchini Brothers he popularized the character of a “slacker” before it was commonly recognized in pop culture. “At this point in my life I had no idea I’d still be doing the Zuke show. What a kick!” Seeing how his performing and juggling hobbies became his main career, he chose to make “real work jobs” the thing he did to stay grounded with the common population.

Carpentry skills and fascination for power tools came when he worked for his brother in the new home construction industry. After touring around the country for about nine months of the year doing Zucchini Brothers shows a whole two to three days a week and putting up with adoring fans, relaxation finally would come in the form of waking up in the dark and putting a house together stick by stick in the Minnesota winter. Combining these building skills with the theatrical design talents honed while pursuing a theatre degree in college, Jim found himself with an offer to be Designer and Lead Builder for the Georgia Renaissance Festival. A position he held from 1992 till the completion of the new site in 1997. He enjoyed several other design projects here and there including the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Yes Virginia, there really is a Shakespeare Festival in Alabama.).

It was during the Georgia years that marriage and family got going with Jim. Currently Portland, Oregon is home for the Van Hooks. Jim is the primary “socialization manager” of his and wife Amy’s, genetic contribution to the subsequent generations. That’s right, he’s mostly a stay at home Dad for Keegan and Ainsley. When not out doing Zuke shows he spends time keeping the house together, making improvements to the yard and house and soon there are plans to start a Christmas tree farm. How’s that for grounded?

Todd is an award-winning juggler/ comedian, and has performed over 5000 Comedy Juggling shows nationwide, both solo and as part of The Zucchini Brothers.

Todd is an expert at juggling clubs, balls, torches, knives, even Spam.

Other skills include: unicycle, free standing ladder, stilts, knot throwing, ball spinning, contact juggling (crystal balls), bullwhips, lariat rope spinning, guitar, stage combat, athletic in most sports, and chainsaw sculpture

Answer: On warm days, they both are.