> Famous Magicians

Interviews Famous Magicians (18) Magician Profiles (9)

Magic by Andrew Mayne
Andrew Mayne offers an assortment of strong effects for close-up and stage.

DVD Review: Magic Circus by Mark Wilson
Before Criss Angel, David Copperfield and Doug Henning, Mark Wilson pioneered the presentation of magic on television. His Magic Circus shows from the early seventies have aged well, are historically significant and an absolute blast to watch. This is great magic entertainment for any era.

Magic by Kenton Knepper
Magician Kenton Knepper offers an assortment of great magic and mentalism products that we've reviewed.

Magic of Daryl
Daryl is the "magician's magician" and he offers a host of fine magic products. Here's a roundup of his many excellent products.

Magic by Jay Sankey
Magician Jay Sankey is a popular creator of magic and teacher. Here's a roundup of some of his many products.

Q&A with John George
John George is a well known magician who has won major close-up competitions including first place at the "International Brotherhood of Magicians Gold Cups" and the "Society of American Magicians Close-up." He has received the SAM’s "Silver Medal of Merit" and "Peoples Choice Award." He often performs at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA and is entertaining at Disneyland during the holiday season.

Famous Magicians
Now appearing on television, at a theater near you, or in Las Vegas or Branson. Here are today's hottest magicians.

Interviews With Famous Magicians
Here's a collection of our interviews with famous and notable magicians.

Review: MINDFREAK - Luxor Light
In a one-hour episode that launches the third season of his MINDFREAK series, Criss Angel levitates himself some 500 feet above ground over the intense vertical light beam that shines atop the Luxor in Las Vegas. Angel floats down from the 26th floor of the Luxor atrium into a crowd. He also rounds out the major effects with various feats and tricks and shows off his new digs at the Luxor.

Interview with Steve Wyrick
With the opening of his new entertainment complex and show, Wyrick talks about the state of magic in Las Vegas, the inspiration of the Magic Castle, his idea behind the new complex, developing the concept and making it a reality and producing the shows. He also offers some advice for budding magicians.

Interview with Eric Mead
Eric Mead takes time out to talk about his career and “Tangled Web,” his new book. “I did not sit down and write “Tangled Web” in a traditional way,” says Mead. “It is a collection of tricks and essays I had written over a long period of time and covering various stages of my career as a magician.

David Blaine: Where’s the Magic?
Now that David Blaine is off his gyro and safely on the ground, his recent stunt made me think about where he’s going with all this human endurance stuff and if he's leaving magic behind. These days, there’s little magic in his act. But by eliminating magic, I maintain that he's not getting the most out of his stunts.

DVD Review: Criss Angel Mindfreak-Halloween Special
Just in time for Halloween, Criss Angel's special from 2005 offers a couple of never-before-seen effects and "uncut" versions of others that ran during MindFreak’s first season. If you already own the first season MindFreak DVD, there’s probably not much here that will entice you to purchase this Halloween DVD.

Top Ten Magicians of All Time
Looking back on 50 years of his "It’s Magic" theater show in September 2007, Milt Larson, the founder of the "The Magic Castle," named the greatest magicians of all time.

Interview with Doc Eason
Doc Eason is known as the bar magician. After performing for over 27 years at John Denver’s World Famous Comedy Magic Bar and Restaurant in Snowmass, Colorado, he is an authority on the topic, and was honored by the Academy of Magical Arts as the first recipient of its "Bar Magician of the Year" award. Eason took time out to talk with us about his latest projects and new website and DVD.

Opinion: Magic Exposure Vs. Education
Criss Angel taught the "ash trick" on his well-watched television show. Was this blatant exposure of magic? Or was it education-teaching an effect to those who are interested in learning magic? A few thoughts on a touchy and volatile topic.

Interview with Joaquin Ayala
Joaquin Ayala, Mexico’s famous illusionist, has multiple TV appearances, headlined in Vegas and is now touring in "Magic Passion." He just launched AYALA EFX,” his production company that constructs and designs magical effects. Ayala took time out to talk with Magic & Illusion about his new production company, latest shows and about magic and presentation.

Opinion: Is Criss Angel Underrated?
Criss Angel continues to produce and present excellent magic in his weekly series on A&E, now in its second season. But why isn’t he better known among the lay public? And why is he not regularly discussed among most magicians? I think that Angel is out there innovating magic and presenting it in a way that is attracting new audiences. He deserves our respect and support.

Review: Criss Angel MINDFREAK "Building Float"
At the start of its second season, CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK returned with a strong season opener. In "Building Float," Angel attempts to float from the top of one building to another in broad daylight, a feat inspired by the legend of D.D. Home, a Scotsman known for his spiritual levitations and outrageous claims in the early 1800's.

Review: Criss Angel MINDFREAK "Vanish"
In "Vanish," the second episode in his second season, Angel attempts to vanish a spectator while surrounded by witnesses, once again, in the middle of Fremont Street. It's another first rate episode.

Opinion: Celebrity Magic - At a Dealer Near You
Want to perform the same tricks as those big-name magicians on television? Seemingly all you have to do is pull out your credit card. But in the end, a celebrity's endorsement is more likely an efficient way to separate you from your money and provide effects that you don’t need or won’t use.

TV Review-Keith Barry: Extraordinary
“This is Extraordinary!” So promised Keith Barry’s magic special on CBS. The show, which showcased mentalism, was most noteworthy for its many Hollywood stars. While the show presented lots of effects that probably left viewers wondering how they were accomplished, the show played somewhat flat.

"CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK" Returns for Season Two
The second season of "CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK" debuts on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 10pm/9c. In back-to-back episodes, Angel will levitate between two buildings and vanish a spectator under seemingly controlled conditions. Here’s what you can expect to see on the debut shows.

Interview with John Lovick on the Bill Switch
John Lovick, AKA “Handsome Jack,” regularly performs at Hollywood’s Magic Castle and has been nominated each of the past five years as “Parlour Magician of the Year.” We had the opportunity to talk with Lovick about his newest book, “Switch-Unfolding the $100 Bill Change,” a comprehensive guide to the $100 Bill Switch.

Review: Jason Alexander’s Magic Castle Debut
The well known star of television’s “Seinfeld” and “The Producers” debuted last night at Hollywood’s Magic Castle. Alexander delivered a mentalism set that was varied, well-crafted and entertaining. He has effectively added “magician” to his list of many accomplishments.

Interview with Kevin Spencer
Kevin and Cindy Spencer, “The Spencers,” are a highly successful illusion team. Recently, the Spencers released a DVD that presented their 2004 tour through Hong Kong and Taipei. Kevin Spencer recently took time out from his busy schedule to talk with Magic.About.com about the new DVD, illusions and creativity, touring, Healing of Magic and more.

Interview with Jay Sankey
Jay Sankey is among the most prolific creators of powerful close-up magic. His many instructional DVDs and videos have provided solid effects for numerous magicians. We had a chance to talk with Sankey about his latest project, “The Sankey/Skutt Sessions,” and about creativity, business and his projects.

DVD Review: Criss Angel - Mindfreak - The Complete Season One
If you’re a Criss Angel fan, you’ll enjoy watching the entire first season of his Mindfreak shows on DVD. You can once again grimace at those insane feats and marvel at the amazing magic, and the two-DVD set offers some entertaining, but limited, extras.

Interview with Criss Angel
We speak with Criss Angel, star of the Mindfreak television series and recently awarded “Magician of the Year.” In his interview, Angel talks about the challenges of shooting a magic series, his inspirations, the current state of magic and where he plans to take the art.

DVD Review-David Blaine: Fearless
David Blaine’s DVD offers edited versions of his first three television specials: "Street Magic," "Magic Man," and "Frozen In Time." When the shows originally aired, they received lots of attention from magicians and the lay public and it’s great to watch these shows again on DVD.

Review: CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK - Prediction
With excellent ratings in his wake, Criss Angel continues to successfully innovate, explore and present television-based magic in our internet age. More midland material than powerful season opener or closer, his latest MINDFREAK, entitled “Prediction,” which aired on Wednesday, October 12, 2005, offers Angel’s entertaining angle on mentalism.

Interview with Chipper Lowell
When you see Chipper Lowell at work, be prepared to laugh...and laugh...and laugh. After watching him perform his brand of comedy and magic, he’s now on my personal list of magic’s “Kings of Comedy” (along with Ed Alonzo, Mac King, Fielding West and Dana Daniels). Recently, we caught up with Lowell after a performance at the Magic Castle to talk shop.

DVD Review: David Copperfield: Illusion
After joining Netflix-the service that lets you borrow DVDs through the mail-I discovered that David Copperfield: Illusion was available in its immense library. “Illusion” is mostly Copperfield's “15 Years of Magic” special that aired years ago on CBS. But for fans who haven’t been taping and viewing his shows over the years, the DVD is virtual gold.

Review: The World's Greatest Magic Show
Can “The World’s Greatest Magic Show” live up to its name? Magician Nicholas Carifo visits The Greek Isle Casino in Las Vegas to find out.

TV Review: Criss Angel MindFreak: Wine Barrel & Nail Bed
Week two in Criss Angel’s televised series on A&E, he performs a spectacular escape in the vein of Houdini and lies on a bed of nails. I’m either warming up to Criss Angel or his latest shows are noticeably better than his debut last week.

TV Review: Criss Angel Mindfreak
Criss Angel’s long-awaited Mindfreak magic special aired on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 on A&E. Was the magic great? Was the show good for magic? We analyze.

Ayala & Tanya - Magical Passion
Ayala & Tanya's latest illusion spectacular is a fusion of original magical effects, belly dancing, Flamenco and contemporary dance. The show has toured through Spain, Mexico, Hong Kong and France.

Interview with Brian Ochab
Award-winning magician Brian Ochab is known for his innovative and entertaining close-up routines. What you may not know is that he is an up and coming film and television director who was recently nominated for an Emmy. In this Magic & Illusion exclusive, we talk with Brian about creating and presenting great magic, directing and his upcoming projects.

Interview with Arthur Trace: The Creative Process
With his creativity and innovation, and superb manipulation skills, Arthur Trace is advancing the art of magic. He performed at the 2004 World Magic Seminar and the 2004 Society of American Magicians National Convention. Arthur Trace recently took time out to talk with Magic & Illusion’s Wayne Kawamoto to discuss the creative process.

Interview with Rich Ferguson and “The Official Poker Chip Tricks DVD"
Rich Ferguson is a busy magic pro who has performed corporate shows for major companies and casinos. He is the host and talent for Official Poker, Inc’s Instructional DVD series. He recently took time out to talk with Magic & Illusion about his “Official Poker Chip Tricks DVD" and other projects.

Interview with Diamond Jim Tyler and Mirrors
Award-winning magician Diamond Jim Tyler is a true worker and author of the best-selling book and video “Pockets Full of Miracles.” He recently took time out from his busy schedule to talk with Magic & Illusion about “Mirrors,” his newest DVD.

Interview with Diamond Jim Tyler
Award-winning magician Diamond Jim Tyler is a true worker and author of the best-selling book and video “Pockets Full of Miracles.” He recently released his new DVD, Mirrors, which we will review in the near future. He recently took time out from his busy schedule to talk with Magic & Illusion.

Interview With Rick Thomas
Illusionist Rick Thomas recently opened his afternoon show at the Stardust Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. We caught up with him to find out more about his latest show.

David Copperfield
The Magic Man himself. Find out where David Copperfield is appearing (and disappearing), perhaps in a town near you. On his site he dispells vicious rumors and more.

Lance Burton
A simple boy from Kentucky? I don't think so. This "Master Magician" does it all, sleight of hand, drama, large-scale illusions and more. Do not miss his show when you are in Las Vegas.

Jeff McBride
This master of sleight of hand and theatrical flair is always worth seeing, whether it is live or on television.

Rick Thomas: The Art of Dreaming
Rick Thomas is a long-time, popular illusionist in Las Vegas.

David Blaine: Magic Man
What is magic's mystery man up to these days? What will his next stunt be? It's all on his web site.

Magicians Who Have Appeared on the Tonight Show
Here's a list of the professional magicians who appeared on the Tonight Show. Looks like only those who appeared under Johnny Carson's watch.

Celebrities Who Are Magicians
Lots of famous entertainers in television and in the movies began their careers as magicians. Here's a list of those who are best known for their work in other fields, rather than their skills as magicians.