Biography for
David Copperfield (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

16 September 1956, Metuchen, New Jersey, USA

Birth Name

David Seth Kotkin

Height

6' (1.83 m)

Trade Mark

Famous performing magic show acts on a spectacular scale such as making the Statue of Liberty disappear.

Trivia

Ended 5-year-old engagement to Claudia Schiffer, explaining that work had got in the way of their relationship. [November 1999]

Youngest person ever to be admitted to the Society of American Magicians. At age sixteen, he taught magic at New York University.

Started his magician career billed as "Davino, Boy Magician"

One of his teachers back in New Jersey school days was ABC News correspondent Judy Muller.

Appeared on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) where he presented his collection of turn-of-the-century prank devices. One, a paddle that when used to spank someone exploded powder, was used incorrectly by host O'Brien. Copperfield's pants (and behind) caught on fire, an accident from which he still carries a scar.

He has said he likes roller coasters.

His favorite color is black.

His favorite movies are Citizen Kane (1941) and The Wizard of Oz (1939).

In 1993 David was doing an on-stage illusion in which he weightlessly flew with a lady from the audience in his arms. His flight illusion was considered by experts and historians of magic to be the greatest illusion ever performed on stage.

He gave his first performance as a magician in 1968 when he was only 12 years old.

He was a Professor of Magic at New York University at only 16 years old.

He was a student at Fordham University in New York City in 1974.

He was named "Magician of the Year" in 1980 and 1987 by the Academy of Magical Arts.

Owns one version of Edgar Bergen's dummy of "Charlie McCarthy". He purchased "Charlie" at an auction for $110,000.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Owns the "Buzz Saw" version of the "sawing a woman in half" illusion that used to belong to Orson Welles, and that Welles used to saw Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe in half. Copperfield maintains the illusion in full working order, and has occasionally used it to saw in half various celebrity "assistants" including Claudia Schiffer, Penélope Cruz and Cat Deeley.

Personal Quotes

(On working with Claudia Schiffer in his magic shows) I really love having Claudia with me in my shows. She's a great performer and a real natural with the illusions. And she's really trusting too - It's not every woman who'll trust someone like me enough to let me strap her to a guillotine and chop her head off. But the best thing about having her in my shows is that I can say that I spend my evenings sawing the most beautiful woman in the world in half.

Where Are They Now

(June 2006) He is performing his magic shows in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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