Magic Tricks Illusions Copperfield Famous David American Began

David Copperfield is a very well-known American magician. He began practicing magic tricks when he was just 10 years old, and he was "admitted to" (allowed to enter) the Society of American Magicians when he was just 12 years old, becoming the organization's youngest member. In 1977, he became the "host" (someone who introduces guests on a program) of a television show called "The Magic of ABC," and then began "starring" (having the lead or most important role) in his own show, "The Magic of David Copperfield."

Copperfield is an illusionist, and his illusions have included making the Statue of Liberty seem to disappear and "levitating" (floating in the air) over the Grand Canyon. Today, he owns the International Museum and Library of the "Conjuring" (magic) Arts, which is filled with "memorabilia" (objects connected with a famous person or event) related to famous magicians.

Forbes magazine has described Copperfield as the most "commercially" (related to business and money) successful magician in history. He has sold more than 40 million tickets to his magic shows, with "revenues" (money received before expenses are paid) of more than $1 billion. He has also won 20 Emmy Awards and the Academy of Magical Arts has named him the "Magician of the Year" twice.

Penn and Teller are other famous magicians who perform many magic tricks and illusions. They frequently perform in Las Vegas and have also written many books about magic. Many of their tricks are "quite" (very) violent and "shocking" (surprising, usually in a negative way). For example, in some of their tricks, one of them is run over by a heavy truck or knives go through their hands. However, even these violent tricks are performed in a "humorous" (funny) way.