NEW PORT RICHEY — Jimmy Leo was nursing a broken heart when someone first handed him a balloon shaped like an animal.
He figured he could make things like that, though his initial attempts were aimed at relieving the stress of a failed relationship.
"In the beginning," he said, "I was just shredding the balloons to get out some anger."
Before long, he had channeled that anger into a zany self-discipline: He bought books about making balloon animals and balloon masks. He found a few restaurants willing to let him entertain. He passed out his cards and started performing at birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs and school events.
"I thought," said Leo, "this is heaven."
That was New York, 15 years ago. Though he holds a day job as a science teacher at Hudson High School, the 40-year-old has never stopped with his balloons.
(Not even for his honeymoon cruise: His wife, Donna, whom he met while performing at her nephew's birthday party, cringed when she saw he had brought his balloons on board. "I had a captive audience!" he protested.)
He has made Roman columns at toga parties, beer steins at sorority parties, race cars at birthday parties and goofy hats at corporate retreats. He has filmed an instructional video called Jimmy's Jungle (first episode: "Gorillas in the Twist") and even lectured at balloon artist conventions on such topics as Balloon Masks 101 and Character Development.
"Nowadays I'm a blend of comedy and balloons. Even when I do restaurants, I love to make fun of people," said Leo, who is a regular performer at Alli-Gators Bar & Grill in Trinity. "It's all in fun, and I always make sure I return the dignity to the person I'm picking on."
(This return of dignity is typically achieved through a round of applause for whatever beleaguered man is suddenly wearing a Carmen Miranda-style balloon hat on his head.)
Now Leo has added something new to his resume: balloon couture.
Two of his wearable balloon dresses will be featured today at Calusa Business and Professional Women's fashion show, an annual event that raises college scholarship money.
Leo does not sketch out an idea for a dress. He just starts twisting and weaving the heavy-duty balloons until he begins to see a design he likes. "It's all here," he said, pointing to his head.
His two girls, 8-year-old Miranda and 5-year-old Emily, act as models. One day last week, Miranda agreed to help show off his latest creation.
"Can you breathe?" her father asked as he slipped the tightly woven dress of pink balloons over her head.
"No!" she whimpered.
"You're doing great! Hold that hair, Miranda. Don't move!"
More whimpering.
"Arms up. This might hurt a little bit. Shimmy! Shimmy!"
A giggling face emerged through the top.
His wife shook her head. Back in New York, when they first started dating, she dared him to wear his bathrobe to a diner. Not only did he wear his bathrobe, but he ordered his food as loudly as possible. He was not trying to be coy about his stunt. "He's always on," she said.
"Hey, I don't embarrass easily," Leo shot back. "I'm a balloon guy!"
Times researcher Will Gorham contributed to this report. Jodie Tillman can be reached at jtillman@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6247.
>>fast facts
Luncheon and fashion show today
The Calusa Business and Professional Women annual Luncheon and Fashion Show Extravaganza is scheduled today at the Ramada Inn Bayside on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Two of Jimmy Leo's balloon dress will be featured. Tickets are $25 at the door. Proceeds go to scholarships for Pasco County women. Last year, the event raised four $1,000 scholarships.
To contact Leo, call 727-267-5774 or visit his Web site at http://www.cloud9balloons.com.
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