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David Copperfield (illusionist)

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Template:Infobox celebrity David Copperfield (born David Seth Kotkin; September 16, 1956) is a magician and illusionist best known for his combination of illusions and storytelling.

Biography

Born in Metuchen, New Jersey as David Seth Kotkin to parents, Hyman and Rebecca. Copperfield's New York-born father Hyman Kotkin owned and operated a men's haberdashery in Metuchen, called Korby's. Hyman Kotkin was the son of Russian immigrants and Rebecca Kotkin was born in Jerusalem. Copperfield began practicing magic at the age of twelve, and became the youngest person ever admitted to the Society of American Magicians. By age 16, he was teaching a course in magic at New York University. 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, 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.

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. His illusions have included making the Statue of Liberty disappear, flying, levitating over the Grand Canyon, and walking through the Great Wall of China.

In 1982, Copperfield founded Project Magic, 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 1100 hospitals throughout 30 countries worldwide.

Copperfield met supermodel, Claudia Schiffer in 1993 at a Berlin celebrity gala when he brought her on stage to participate in a mind reading act. They were engaged three months later, but the couple parted ways in the fall of 1999 never having set a wedding date. Copperfield has also been romantically linked to models, Ambre Frisque and Terry Holladay.

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 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.”

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. Copperfield performs over 500 shows per year throughout the world.

Copperfield has a collection of magic and conjuring memorabilia and historical artifacts that he stores in a warehouse in Las Vegas. He calls the collection the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. It is not open to the public.

Personal life

"Fountain of Youth"

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 14 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.

Bahamas incident

During 2008, Copperfield was investigated by a Seattle federal grand jury on allegations of attempting to bribe a witness. A 21-year-old Seattle woman, claimed she had been raped, assaulted and threatened during July 2007 by Copperfield whilst on his private island in the Bahamas. It was alleged that following their two day stay together, Copperfield told the woman that she had better keep quiet, before escorting her onto a plane. Copperfield had issued a statement denying misconduct.

Upon her return to Seattle, the woman went directly to a hospital and a "rape kit" was assembled. The woman had taken photographs using her cell phone and had avoided bathing, to retain potential DNA evidence.

FBI agents arranged a "sting" operation; the woman met Copperfield again face-to-face in Las Vegas. During their meeting, Copperfield allegedly offered the woman a $2 million bribe. The FBI later raided Copperfield's warehouse and recovered US$2 million in cash. Other women had claimed that Copperfield uses his stage shows to try to "pick up" women.

Lawsuit

In November 2007, promoters sued Copperfield for nearly $2.2 million, after he pulled out of 48 shows in the face of rape claims. Filed November 6 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the breach of contract suit names Copperfield, his company and one of his attorneys. The new lawsuit claims Copperfield backed out of a deal involving 10 performances in the United Arab Emirates and 38 shows in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore this autumn because he did not want to face questioning by reporters. An attorney for Copperfield said last month that the shows were cancelled after Asian tour operators defaulted on their contracts.

The lawsuit was filed by California-based Viva Art International Ltd. and Maz Concerts Inc. of Ontario. They claim they gave Copperfield approximately $2.2 million to cover his costs before he cancelled the shows.

Mugging

In April 2006, Copperfield and two 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, claiming that he used sleight-of-hand to hide his possessions. One of Copperfield's assistants wrote down most of the license plate number, and the suspects were later arrested, tried and sentenced.

Achievements and awards

File:Copperfield.JPG
The hand prints of David Copperfield in front of The Great Movie Ride at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.
  • David Copperfield was nominated 5 times for Emmy Awards and has won once.
  • Copperfield received a Living Legend Award from the Library of Congress.
  • Copperfield is the first living magician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Copperfield was knighted by the French Government

Television specials

Filmography

See also

References

  1. ^ Peres, Daniel. "Hy about Life". rememberHy. Retrieved 2008-09-20. Hy turned down a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and went into retail, settling his family in Metuchen, New Jersey, where he owned and operated the men's haberdashery, Korby's.
  2. Witchel, Alex (1996-11-24). "A Maestro of the Magic Arts Returns to His Roots". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-06. David Seth Kotkin was born in Metuchen, N.J., 40 years ago; David Copperfield was born when David Kotkin turned 18, at the suggestion of the wife of a New York Post reporter. Which is why his passport reads David Kotkin, a k a David Copperfield.
  3. Mike Hughes (2006). "David Copperfield has made a career out of dazzling people". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2008-09-22. His dad, who managed a men's clothing store, was the son of Russian immigrants. His mom was born in Jerusalem; both wanted him to go to college and into a profession.
  4. ^ David Copperfield Bio from A&E
  5. Short bio from Chicago Gigs on Copperfield
  6. USA Today
  7. David Copperfield's and Claudia Schiffer's Relationship Details | Famous Hookups
  8. David Copperfield's Relationship History | Famous Hookups
  9. Forbes.com 2005 listing and 2004
  10. Basquille, Mark (May 2004). "David Copperfield to Captivate Seoul Audience". The Seoul Times.
  11. "Cops: Seattle Woman Claims David Copperfield Raped Her". Fox News. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  12. ^ David Copperfield Finds the Fountain of Youth | Photos and Exclusive Interview from VegasPopular.com
  13. "Copperfield raid related to Bahamas incident".
  14. ^ "Grand jury investigates Copperfield allegations". Seattle Times. 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  15. ^ "$2M up magician David Copperfield's sleeve?". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  16. "New Charges Swirl Around Copperfield". CBS News. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  17. "Copperfield Secret Document -- How to Pick Up Chicks". TMZ.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  18. "Promoters Sue David Copperfield for $2.2 Million". Voice of America. 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-11.
  19. "David Copperfield tricks robbers". CNN. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  20. "David Copperfield Robbed At Gunpoint". The Smoking Gun. 2006-04-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. "Thief tricked by David Copperfield pleads guilty". ehmac. 2006-11-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. "Records of Emmy Awards". Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  23. "Living Legends". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2008-04-13.

External links

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