David Copperfield is a world-renowned magician known for his incredible illusions and mind-boggling tricks. He was born on September 16, 1956, in Metuchen, New Jersey, and found his passion for magic at a young age. Throughout his career, Copperfield has performed countless shows and captivated audiences around the globe with his unique style of magic. He shot to fame with his television specials, which garnered massive viewership and established him as a prominent figure in the world of magic. What sets Copperfield apart from other magicians is his ability to bring his illusions to life. He is known for making people disappear, levitating in thin air, and escaping from impossible situations.
History
Project Magic was developed by David Copperfield, the world renowned magician, as a result of repeated letters he received from an aspiring magician. Judging from the handwriting, David believed the magician to be an elementary school student. Soon after, David learned that the "grade schooler" was actually a young man in his twenties who lived life in a wheelchair. The childlike handwriting was a result of his disability.
Using the art of magic, this young man had more abilities - not less abilities - than the average person. With that realization, David thought of a way to inspire, reach, and help other people with disabilities. That way was Project Magic. David, along with Julie DeJean, O.T.R., organized Project Magic in 1981 as an innovative way to help individuals with disabilities during their therapy process. In 1982, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) formally endorsed Project Magic.
"[Project Magic] has provided motivation, enhanced self-esteem, and increased hope while contributing an alternative approach for therapeutic gains to thousands. "
Project Magic has since been developed, implemented, and guided to international status. Project Magic programs have been established in nearly every state in the USA, and 30 foreign countries. It has provided motivation, enhanced self-esteem, and increased hope while contributing an alternative approach for therapeutic gains to thousands of individuals of all ages.
David Copperfield Tickets
A living legend who sells out arenas around the globe when not at the Las Vegas theater that bears his name, David Copperfield is one of the most revered and successful performers in the history of show business. Over the course of his six-decade career, the master magician has sold more tickets than any other solo entertainer, including Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley.
David Copperfield's passion for magic, ingenuity as an innovator and ability to astonish are all trademarks of a career that has included Emmy-winning television specials, hit Broadway productions and countless performances. Among his spectacular and iconic feats are walking through the Great Wall of China, making a seemingly impossible escape from Alcatraz prison and — in what was called the Illusion of the Century — causing the Statue of Liberty to disappear in front of a live audience on Liberty Island and millions of TV viewers worldwide.
Viewers can experience his unique brand of magic and storytelling in David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusions, an entertaining and engaging showcase of his art and craft featuring illusions that often take years to develop and perfect. Widely acclaimed as the greatest illusionist of our time, he continues to wow audiences on his world tours and at his shows inside the David Copperfield Theater at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Who is David Copperfield?
David Copperfield's career in magic began when he was 10 years old, performing in his New Jersey neighborhood as Davino the Boy Magician. By the age of 16, he was a member of the Society of American Magicians and teaching magic at New York University.
Copperfield's decades-long string of top-rated, Emmy-winning television specials began in 1977, where he performed his unprecedented feats and illusions before TV audiences.
When not performing live at such storied locations as the White House and in his own Broadway productions, Copperfield has shared his signature combination of storytelling, stagecraft and magic with audiences worldwide. First presented in 2003, David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion toured venues and sold-out arenas across the US and the world. It regularly runs at the David Copperfield Theater at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
David Copperfield pulls back the curtain (slightly)
Magician David Copperfield 05:23 He's the most successful magician of a generation, and one of the most enduring. Hard to believe it's been 40 years since David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty seem to vanish. That feat alone drew a reported 50 million viewers for CBS, and helped make Copperfield a household name. Today, Copperfield's show is still a big draw at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where people crowd in nightly to see a billionaire at work. The show is all his design, from the music that swells at just the right moment, to the lighting and props on stage that let the audience see just enough to be amazed. Presto! CBS News "Sunday Morning" met Copperfield at his private museum near the Las Vegas Strip, where he's assembled the world's largest collection of all things magic, from Houdini's handcuffs and water escape tank, to the actual Macy's counter where a young Copperfield bought his very first magic trick.
Smith asked, "Do you still get chills walking around here?" "You know, it becomes part of who you are," he replied. Artifacts in Copperfield's private museum of magic. CBS News It's also where he refines his ideas under very tight security.
Smith asked, "How often do you share how you do these illusions with the public?" "I think this is the first time we've discussed the journey, the process, on national TV," he said. Just about all of his illusions start as sketches, like a flying saucer that magically appears, or a giant blade that seems to cut a woman in half. "It's a blade that not only is a blade, but I could hang from the blade," he said. Blade illustrations. CBS News And the results: divided! It was the first time somebody was seemingly cut in half lengthwise. Sawing a women in half, lengthwise. CBS News We also got a peek at a future illusion involving groups of people who will all vanish, or fly, or something like that. "This is a model, so we can get camera shots figured out for a big new illusion that … we can't talk about right now," Copperfield said. Models for planning a future David Copperfield illusion. CBS News If it sounds like he's being evasive, it's because he is: the first rule of Copperfield's magic is that Copperfield won't talk about his magic, mainly because he's one of the most copied artists in the business, and he doesn't want to give anything away. But that doesn't stop people from guessing. Just go online and you'll see videos from armchair experts who claim to reveal Copperfield's secrets.
And some of them are actually red herrings, posted by Copperfield himself. Smith asked, "So, the videos that you put out [as somebody else] are misdirecting people? They're not really the illusion explained?" "One hundred percent," he said. "Why do you do that?" "Because it's fun!" Designs for a spaceship illusion. CBS News For him, the magic business has always been fun. Born David Kotkin in Metuchen, N.J., the boy who became David Copperfield started doing tricks at age 12, and his success is no illusion. "My 'magic' is real, to a certain degree," he said. "When you hear people call them 'magic tricks,' it's kind of like … I understand, I accept it, I use the word 'trick,' I did it today. But it's kind of diminishing all the hard work that goes in that in-between part, from when it's not there and when it's there."
Web extra: David Copperfield on the disappearing Lear jet illusionWeb extra: David Copperfield on his disappearing jet 01:08 He's now a very fit 66, and in a longtime relationship with designer Chloe Gosselin, with whom he has a teenage daughter. But Copperfield is still hustling. He does 15 shows a week, with three on Saturdays alone. There are no days off. "But David, you're a billionaire, you do not need to do this," said Smith. "But I like it, you know?" said Copperfield. "I really enjoy it. I'm fortunate, you know, to walk out there and people are kind of happy to be there, you know? And some people actually need to be there. People are in the front row, and I can see in their face: Take me away, I need to dream." And he says he'll keep at it as long as he can stand on a stage and make people wonder how the heck he does it. "There can be 20,000 in an arena; there's one lady in the front row with her arms crossed, and that's the one I want," he said. "That lady, I have to try to, gotta make her smile, you know?" "And how does it feel when you do?"
- davidcopperfield.com
- David Copperfield Show at the MGM Grand Las Vegas | Ticket info
- Gallery: David Copperfield's "museum of magic"
Story produced by John D'Amelio. Editor: Steven Tyler.
He is known for making people disappear, levitating in thin air, and escaping from impossible situations. His dedication to perfection and attention to detail make his performances truly mesmerizing. Copperfield's illusions often involve audience participation and creating an immersive experience.
He combines storytelling with magic to create a sense of wonder and suspense, leaving his viewers questioning what they just witnessed. One of his most famous tricks is "The Vanishing Statue of Liberty," where he makes the iconic landmark disappear in front of a live audience. This illusion, along with many others, has solidified Copperfield's reputation as a master magician. Outside of his performances, Copperfield has also made significant contributions to the world of magic. He is an avid collector of magic artifacts and has established the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. This museum houses a vast collection of magical memorabilia, including props, books, and posters. Copperfield's career spans several decades, and he continues to perform and inspire new generations of aspiring magicians. His unique creativity, showmanship, and dedication to his craft have made him an enduring figure in the world of magic. Overall, David Copperfield's magic is a blend of artistry, showmanship, and technical skill. His illusions and tricks have captivated audiences worldwide and cemented his place as one of the greatest magicians of all time..
Reviews for "The Unforgettable Moments of David Copperfield's Illustrious Career"
1. John - 2/5 - I was not impressed with David Copperfield's magic show at all. The tricks were predictable and lacked any sense of wonder or surprise. It felt like I had seen it all before, and there was nothing unique or innovative about his performance. The props and set design were also underwhelming, making the whole experience feel cheap and amateurish. Overall, I left the show feeling disappointed and wishing I had spent my money elsewhere.
2. Emily - 1/5 - David Copperfield's magic show was a complete waste of time for me. The tricks were so unbelievable and outrageous that I spent most of the performance trying to figure out how they were done instead of enjoying the show. It felt more like a series of gimmicks rather than a well-executed magic performance. Additionally, Copperfield's stage presence was lacking. He seemed disconnected from the audience and lacked charisma. I wouldn't recommend wasting your money on his show.
3. Mike - 2/5 - I had high expectations for David Copperfield's magic show, but unfortunately, it fell short. The tricks were lackluster and lacked any wow factor. It felt like he was relying on outdated tricks that have been seen a million times before. The pacing of the show was also an issue, with awkward pauses and transitions that disrupted the flow. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed by Copperfield's performance.
4. Sarah - 3/5 - David Copperfield's magic show wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. The tricks were decent, but nothing stood out as particularly impressive or mind-blowing. It felt like a typical magic show that didn't offer anything new or unique. Copperfield's stage presence was also average, lacking the charm and charisma that I expect from a world-renowned magician. While it was an entertaining evening, I can't say that I was blown away or left in awe.