Tommy Wonder (magician) facts for kids
Tommy Wonder (born November 29, 1953 – died June 26, 2006) was the stage name of Jacobus Maria Bemelman. He was a talented Dutch magician who performed amazing tricks both up close and on big stages. Tommy Wonder showed his magic skills in famous places like Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, and even on Fox television.
Tommy Wonder became interested in magic when he was quite young. To improve his performance skills, he studied acting, dancing, and singing for three years. He attended the Academie voor Podiumvorming, which means Performance Academy, in The Hague. After his studies, he toured for two years with a group called De Haagsche Comedie.
Awards and Achievements
Tommy Wonder was recognized many times for his incredible magic. He won second prize at the FISM World Championships of Magic twice, first in 1979 and again in 1988. In 1998, he received the Performer Fellowship Award from the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood. The next year, in 1999, he was named Best Sleight of Hand Performer at the World Magic Awards.
Other magicians highly respected Tommy Wonder because he created all his own magic acts and tricks. This made his performances truly unique. After he passed away, on August 5, 2006, he received a special award. It was the Theory & Philosophy Award at the FISM World Championships of Magic in Stockholm, honoring his ideas and theories about magic.
His Famous Books
In 1996, Tommy Wonder released two books called The Books of Wonder. These books are very famous and highly praised by magicians around the world. They share his knowledge and secrets about magic.
Tommy Wonder passed away in 2006.
