Contents
The Personal History of David Copperfield (The Magician)
David Copperfield is a world-renowned illusionist and magician, celebrated as one of the most commercially successful performers in history. Born David Seth Kotkin on September 16, 1956, in Metuchen, New Jersey, he began practicing magic at a young age and held his first professional performance at just 12 years old. He later adopted his famous stage name, “David Copperfield,” as a tribute to the Charles Dickens novel.
Copperfield’s legendary career includes long-running shows in Las Vegas and numerous hit television specials. Beyond the stage, he has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, including founding Project Magic, a program that uses magic as a form of physical therapy.
David Copperfield’s Most Famous Illusions
Throughout his career, David Copperfield has captivated audiences with a wide variety of groundbreaking illusions. Some of his most iconic performances include:
- The Disappearance of the Statue of Liberty (1983): In one of the most talked-about tricks of all time, Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty vanish in front of a live audience and television cameras.
- The Flying Illusion: A signature part of his stage performances, Copperfield would appear to fly freely through the air, soaring over the audience without any visible wires or support.
- Walking Through the Great Wall of China (1994): In a live broadcast, Copperfield appeared to pass directly through the solid Great Wall of China, becoming the first person to perform such a feat.
- The Death Saw: Copperfield performed a terrifying version of the classic “sawing a person in half” illusion, where he was the one being sawed in half by a giant, menacing blade.
- Audience Levitation: A popular and enduring illusion where Copperfield levitates a randomly selected member from the audience, making them float in mid-air.
Innovation and Storytelling in Magic
Beyond the sheer scale of his illusions, David Copperfield’s true innovation lies in his ability to blend magic with storytelling. Unlike many magicians who simply present a trick, Copperfield weaves his performances into emotional, cinematic narratives. He was one of the first to use original music scores, theatrical lighting, and relatable themes—like love, loss, and dreaming—to connect with his audience on a deeper level. This story-driven approach elevated magic from a simple series of puzzles into a powerful form of theatre.
Global Recognition and Achievements
Copperfield’s impact on the world of entertainment is backed by incredible achievements and accolades. His work has earned him:
- 21 Emmy Awards for his groundbreaking television specials.
- 11 Guinness World Records, including the record for the most tickets sold by a solo entertainer, surpassing legends like Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson.
- A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the first ever awarded to a living magician.
- The title of “Living Legend” by the U.S. Library of Congress.
- He was knighted by the French government, receiving the title of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.
The International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts
A testament to his dedication to the craft, Copperfield owns the world’s most important collection of magical history. Housed in a private museum in Las Vegas, The International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts contains over 80,000 artifacts from magic’s greatest performers. This priceless collection includes Harry Houdini’s Water Torture Cell, props from the legendary Georges Méliès, and the original “sawing a woman in half” apparatus. While not open to the public, the museum serves as a vital resource for magic historians and fellow magicians.
Watch a Classic David Copperfield Illusion
