Ricky Jay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ricky Jay
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Jay at the premiere of Redbelt in April 2008
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| Born |
Richard Jay Potash
June 26, 1946 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | November 24, 2018 (aged 72) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Magician, actor, writer |
| Known for | Sleight of hand, card tricks, history of magic |
| Spouse(s) |
Chrisann Verges
(m. 2002) |
Richard Jay Potash (born June 26, 1946 – died November 24, 2018), known as Ricky Jay, was an amazing American magician, actor, and writer. He was famous for his incredible sleight of hand (quick hand movements that trick the eye), card tricks, and even throwing cards with amazing speed and accuracy. Many people called him one of the best sleight-of-hand artists ever.
Ricky Jay also wrote many books about the history of magic. You might have seen him in movies like The Prestige and Magnolia, or the TV show Deadwood. In 2015, he was the only magician ever featured on the PBS show American Masters, which highlights important American artists.
Contents
Early Life and Magic Beginnings
Ricky Jay was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He didn't talk much about his parents, but he did share a funny story. Once, when he was ten, he switched his dad's toothpaste and hair cream tubes. His dad brushed his teeth with hair cream and then put toothpaste in his hair!
Ricky Jay said one of his only good memories of his parents was when they secretly hired his hero, the magician Al Flosso, to perform at his bar mitzvah. His grandfather, Max Katz, was an amateur magician who first introduced Ricky to the world of magic.
Ricky Jay's Amazing Career
Magician Extraordinaire
Ricky Jay first performed magic in public when he was just seven years old, in 1953. He appeared on a TV show called Time For Pets. He might have been the youngest magician to ever perform a full magic act on TV! He was also one of the first magicians to perform in comedy clubs and even opened for rock and roll bands. In the 1960s, he performed at a famous club in New York City called the Electric Circus, sharing the stage with big names like Ike and Tina Turner.
Ricky Jay became very popular among magic fans. His sleight-of-hand tricks were so good that even other magicians were amazed. He had three special one-man shows, including Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants. These shows were directed by David Mamet, who also put Ricky in many of his movies.
Ricky Jay loved collecting old books, art, and items related to magic history, gambling, and tricks. He believed that magicians should never reveal how their tricks work.
He was once in the Guinness World Records for throwing a playing card 190 feet (about 58 meters) at 90 miles per hour! He could even throw a card into a watermelon from ten steps away. In his shows, he would often "defend himself" by throwing cards at plastic animals.
Acting Roles
Ricky Jay appeared in many movies and TV shows. He worked with director David Mamet on films like House of Games and The Spanish Prisoner. He was also in the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, playing a bad guy's assistant.
You might also remember him from Paul Thomas Anderson's films Boogie Nights and Magnolia, and Christopher Nolan's The Prestige, which is about rival magicians.
In 2004, he joined the cast of the HBO TV show Deadwood, playing a card player named Eddie Sawyer. He even wrote one episode for the show.
Hollywood Consultant
Because Ricky Jay knew so much about magic, gambling, and con games, Hollywood often asked him for help. He worked as a consultant on many movies and TV shows. For example, he taught actor Robert Redford how to do coin tricks for the movie The Natural.
In the 1990s, Ricky Jay and his partner Michael Weber started a company called Deceptive Practices. They helped filmmakers create amazing illusions and special effects. They designed the special wheelchair that made it look like Gary Sinise had no legs in Forrest Gump. They also created a glass that seemed to drink by itself for the movie Congo.
They worked on many other films, including The Prestige, The Illusionist, and Ocean's Thirteen.
Ricky Jay also helped libraries and museums with their collections about magic and unusual entertainment.
Lectures and Exhibitions
Ricky Jay wrote many articles and gave talks about magic, con games, and how our senses can be tricked. He lectured at famous places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Princeton University.
He also curated (helped organize) exhibits using items from his own amazing collections. These exhibits were shown at places like the Harvard Theater Collection and the Museum of Jurassic Technology.
Documentary Film
There's a documentary film about Ricky Jay called Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay. It explores his life and the people who inspired him.
Later Life and Passing
Ricky Jay passed away on November 24, 2018, at the age of 72. He died of natural causes.
Film and TV Appearances
Film
- House of Games (1987)
- The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
- Boogie Nights (1997)
- Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
- Mystery Men (1999)
- Magnolia (1999)
- Heist (2001)
- The Prestige (2006)
- Redbelt (2008)
Television
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1970)
- Saturday Night Live (1977)
- The Ricky Jay Magic Show – BBC special (1978)
- The Secret Cabaret (UK TV series)
- Late Show with David Letterman (1994, 2013)
- The X-Files – "The Amazing Maleeni" (2000)
- MythBusters – (2003) (He showed his card throwing skills!)
- Deadwood (2004)
- The Simpsons – played himself in "The Great Simpsina" (2011)
Stage Performances
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (1982)
- Ricky Jay & His 52 Assistants (1994)
- Ricky Jay: On The Stem (2002)
- Ricky Jay: A Rogue's Gallery (2009)
Books Written by Ricky Jay
Ricky Jay wrote many books, often about the history of magic and unusual performers. Some of his books include:
- Cards as Weapons (1977)
- Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women (1986)
- Jay's Journal of Anomalies (2001)
- Dice: Deception, Fate, and Rotten Luck (2002)
- Extraordinary Exhibitions: Broadsides from the Collection of Ricky Jay (2005)
- Matthias Buchinger: "The Greatest German Living" (2016)
Music Projects
Ricky Jay also worked on some music projects. In 2007, he released Ricky Jay Plays Poker, which included a CD of poker songs, a DVD of him performing card tricks, and a deck of playing cards.
He also sang on two sea shanty (sailor song) albums: Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys (2006) and Son of Rogues Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys (2013).
He appeared in music videos for Bob Dylan's "Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum" and Jerry Garcia and David Grisman's "The Thrill Is Gone."
