Biography
Copperfield, born on September 16, 1956, began practicing magic at the age of 12, and became the youngest person ever admitted to the Society of American Magicians.[1] By age 16, he was teaching a course in magic at New York University.[2] At age 18, he enrolled at Fordham University, and was cast in the lead role of the Chicago-based musical The Magic Man (directed by Holland, MI's John Tammi) three weeks into his freshman year,[citation needed] adopting his new stage name "David Copperfield" from the Charles Dickens book of the same name. At age 19, he was headlining at the Pagoda Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii.[3]
David Copperfield played the character of Ken the magician in the 1980 horror film Terror Train. He also made an uncredited appearance in the 1994 film Prêt-à-Porter. Most of his media appearances have been through television specials and guest spots on television programs.
In 1982, Copperfield founded Project Magic,[4] a rehabilitation program to help disabled patients regain lost or damaged dexterity skills by using sleight-of-hand magic as a method of physical therapy. The program has been accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, and is in use in over 1,100 hospitals throughout 30 countries worldwide.
Copperfield was engaged to the supermodel Claudia Schiffer, but the couple parted ways in 1999 after a six year relationship.
David Copperfield at one time was ready to open a "Theme" restaurant called "Magic Underground." There were to be two locations, one in New York City and one in Walt Disney World (built in the shape of a Hidden Mickey). These locations would allow "D.A.V.I.D" (Digital Audio-Video Interface Device) to remotely interact with the guests in the restaurant. It was basically a high tech videophone system. Other things such as the very table you were sitting at might "Float" around the room and even the waiters were to be involved performing magic as they brought your order to you. Eventually the New York project ran into trouble and it as well as the Walt Disney World location was aborted.
In 1996, Copperfield joined forces with Dean Koontz, Joyce Carol Oates, Ray Bradbury and others for “David Copperfield’s Tales of the Impossible,” an anthology of original fiction set in the world of magic and illusion. A second volume was later published in 1997, called “David Copperfield's Beyond Imagination.”
Copperfield has also attempted to preserve the history of the art of magic for present and future generations by providing a safe, permanent home for antiquarian props, books, and other historical ephemera related to conjuring. His vast collection, known as the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, is housed in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Forbes Magazine reported that Copperfield earned $57 million in 2003, making him the tenth highest paid celebrity in the world. It also estimated that he made $57 million in 2004 (35th) and $57 million in 2005 (41st) in merchandise and tour revenue.[5] Copperfield performs over 500 shows per year throughout the world.[6]
According to Copperfield's official website, his tour schedule shows that throughout 2007, he will perform at the MGM and Hollywood Theater every
[edit] Personal life
In February 2006, David's father, Hy (who often accompanied David on his many tours around the world), died in San Diego, CA. David set up a website, Remember Hy, so fans and friends could pay tribute.
In April 2006, Copperfield and two of his female assistants were robbed at gunpoint after a performance in West Palm Beach, Florida. His assistants gave the robbers their money, passports, and a cell phone. However, according to his police statement, Copperfield did not hand over anything. (He later claimed to have used sleight-of-hand to hide his possessions.[7]) One of Copperfield's assistants wrote down most of the license plate number, and the suspects were later arrested.[8] Terrance Riley, 17, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison for three counts of robbery with a weapon and one count of attempted robbery. Riley was also ordered to testify against his two co-defendants, his brother Dwayne Riley, 18, and Markeith Jones, 17.[9]
David Copperfield said in August 2006 that he has found the "Fountain of Youth" in the southern Bahamas, amid a cluster of four tiny islands called Musha Cay, which he had purchased on July 14th of that year. He claims that the water brings dead leaves back to life, and brings near dead insects back to life. He said he has hired biologists and geologists to examine its potential effect on humans. [2] [3] This claim echoes the precursor to many of his previous illusions and seems to predict what his next illusion will be.
[edit] Achievements and Awards
David Copperfield's success has been recognised by a number of awards. The illusionist has been nominated 35 times and won 21 Emmy awards.
The Guinness Book of World Records has calculated that he has sold more tickets in his career than any other solo entertainer. Other Guinness World Records held by Copperfield include being the most awarded magician in history and being the first living magician to receive a star on the Hollywood 'Walk of Fame'.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London created a wax likeness of Copperfield.
David Copperfield has a French knighthood, received the Living Legend Award from the Library of Congress and appears on postage stamps in 6 countries.
He is the founder of The International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, the largest museum of its kind.
He starred in “Dreams and Nightmares," the Broadway show that set box-office records[10], including the most tickets sold in a week.
He has been featured on the cover of Forbes[11], Architectural Digest[12] and Esquire[13] .[Cite]
[edit] Television specials
The Magic of ABC Starring David Copperfield (1977)
The Magic of David Copperfield (1978)
The Magic of David Copperfield II (1979)
The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari (1980)
The Magic of David Copperfield IV: The Vanishing Airplane (1981)
The Magic of David Copperfield V: Vanishing the Statue of Liberty (1983)
The Magic of David Copperfield VI: Floating Over the Grand Canyon (1984)
The Magic of David Copperfield VII: Familiares (1985)
The Magic of David Copperfield VIII: Walking Through the Great Wall of China (1986)
The Magic of David Copperfield IX: Escape From Alcatraz (1987)
The Magic of David Copperfield X: The Bermuda Triangle (1988)
The Magic of David Copperfield XI: Explosive Encounter (1989)
The Magic of David Copperfield XII: The Niagara Falls Challenge (1990)
The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery On The Orient Express (1991)
The Magic of David Copperfield XIV: Flying - Live The Dream (1992)
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires Of Passion (1993)
David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic (1994)
The David Copperfield: The Great Escapes
The Magic of David Copperfield XVII: Tornado Of Fire (2001) - Filmed at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee
The Magic of David Copperfield XVII: Tornado of Fire (2001) - European Edition
[edit] Filmography
Terror Train (1980)
[edit] See also
Vanishing the Statue of Liberty
David Copperfield's laser illusion
David Copperfield's flying illusion
[edit] References
^ A&E Biography - David Copperfield Bio
^ Short bio from Chicago Gigs on Copperfield
^ Short bio from Chicago Gigs on Copperfield
^ USA Today [1]
^ Forbes.com 2005 listing and 2004
^ Basquille, Mark. "David Copperfield to Captivate Seoul Audience", The Seoul Times, May 2004.
^ "Copperfield's sleight of hand keeps wallet from robbers", Indy Star, 2006-04-27.
^ David Copperfield Robbed At Gunpoint. The Smoking Gun (2006-04-26).
^ Thief tricked by David Copperfield pleads guilty. CNN (2006-11-10).
^ New York Times article reviewing Dreams and Nightmares
^ Picture of David on Forbes cover
^ Picture of David on Archictectural Digest cover
^ Picture of David on Esquire cover
[edit] External links
David Copperfield at the Internet Movie Database
Official website
Official website of Copperfield's Private Island Resort, Musha Cay at Copperfield Bay
TheMagicOfDC - Largest Unofficial website
David Copperfield Media Site
In February 2006, David's father, Hy (who often accompanied David on his many tours around the world), died in San Diego, CA. David set up a website, Remember Hy, so fans and friends could pay tribute.
In April 2006, Copperfield and two of his female assistants were robbed at gunpoint after a performance in West Palm Beach, Florida. His assistants gave the robbers their money, passports, and a cell phone. However, according to his police statement, Copperfield did not hand over anything. (He later claimed to have used sleight-of-hand to hide his possessions.[7]) One of Copperfield's assistants wrote down most of the license plate number, and the suspects were later arrested.[8] Terrance Riley, 17, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison for three counts of robbery with a weapon and one count of attempted robbery. Riley was also ordered to testify against his two co-defendants, his brother Dwayne Riley, 18, and Markeith Jones, 17.[9]
David Copperfield said in August 2006 that he has found the "Fountain of Youth" in the southern Bahamas, amid a cluster of four tiny islands called Musha Cay, which he had purchased on July 14th of that year. He claims that the water brings dead leaves back to life, and brings near dead insects back to life. He said he has hired biologists and geologists to examine its potential effect on humans. [2] [3] This claim echoes the precursor to many of his previous illusions and seems to predict what his next illusion will be.
[edit] Achievements and Awards
David Copperfield's success has been recognised by a number of awards. The illusionist has been nominated 35 times and won 21 Emmy awards.
The Guinness Book of World Records has calculated that he has sold more tickets in his career than any other solo entertainer. Other Guinness World Records held by Copperfield include being the most awarded magician in history and being the first living magician to receive a star on the Hollywood 'Walk of Fame'.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London created a wax likeness of Copperfield.
David Copperfield has a French knighthood, received the Living Legend Award from the Library of Congress and appears on postage stamps in 6 countries.
He is the founder of The International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, the largest museum of its kind.
He starred in “Dreams and Nightmares," the Broadway show that set box-office records[10], including the most tickets sold in a week.
He has been featured on the cover of Forbes[11], Architectural Digest[12] and Esquire[13] .[Cite]
[edit] Television specials
The Magic of ABC Starring David Copperfield (1977)
The Magic of David Copperfield (1978)
The Magic of David Copperfield II (1979)
The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari (1980)
The Magic of David Copperfield IV: The Vanishing Airplane (1981)
The Magic of David Copperfield V: Vanishing the Statue of Liberty (1983)
The Magic of David Copperfield VI: Floating Over the Grand Canyon (1984)
The Magic of David Copperfield VII: Familiares (1985)
The Magic of David Copperfield VIII: Walking Through the Great Wall of China (1986)
The Magic of David Copperfield IX: Escape From Alcatraz (1987)
The Magic of David Copperfield X: The Bermuda Triangle (1988)
The Magic of David Copperfield XI: Explosive Encounter (1989)
The Magic of David Copperfield XII: The Niagara Falls Challenge (1990)
The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery On The Orient Express (1991)
The Magic of David Copperfield XIV: Flying - Live The Dream (1992)
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires Of Passion (1993)
David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic (1994)
The David Copperfield: The Great Escapes
The Magic of David Copperfield XVII: Tornado Of Fire (2001) - Filmed at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee
The Magic of David Copperfield XVII: Tornado of Fire (2001) - European Edition
[edit] Filmography
Terror Train (1980)
[edit] See also
Vanishing the Statue of Liberty
David Copperfield's laser illusion
David Copperfield's flying illusion
[edit] References
^ A&E Biography - David Copperfield Bio
^ Short bio from Chicago Gigs on Copperfield
^ Short bio from Chicago Gigs on Copperfield
^ USA Today [1]
^ Forbes.com 2005 listing and 2004
^ Basquille, Mark. "David Copperfield to Captivate Seoul Audience", The Seoul Times, May 2004.
^ "Copperfield's sleight of hand keeps wallet from robbers", Indy Star, 2006-04-27.
^ David Copperfield Robbed At Gunpoint. The Smoking Gun (2006-04-26).
^ Thief tricked by David Copperfield pleads guilty. CNN (2006-11-10).
^ New York Times article reviewing Dreams and Nightmares
^ Picture of David on Forbes cover
^ Picture of David on Archictectural Digest cover
^ Picture of David on Esquire cover
[edit] External links
David Copperfield at the Internet Movie Database
Official website
Official website of Copperfield's Private Island Resort, Musha Cay at Copperfield Bay
TheMagicOfDC - Largest Unofficial website
David Copperfield Media Site
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