David Copperfield
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Biography
David Copperfield was an American illusionist who was one of the most commercially successful magicians of the 20th Century. Born David Seth Kotkin in Metuchen, New Jersey, Copperfield turned to magic at the age of 10 as a way to be more outgoing and sociable. It wasn't long before his magic hobby became an all out obsession. At the age of 12 Copperfield, who adopted the stage name after the classic Charles Dickens novel, was the youngest person ever accepted into the American Society of Magicians; by 16 he was teaching a class on magic at New York University. After a brief stint at Fordham University, Copperfield moved to Chicago to play the lead in the musical "The Magic Man." The show quickly became the hottest ticket in Chicago's thriving theater scene, with Copperfield standing out for his acclaimed performance. When "The Magic Man" ended, Copperfield was offered his very own magic show on the ABC Network in 1977. The show, which had several names throughout the years, turned Copperfield into an overnight sensation, and over the course of the '80s and '90s, his numerous television specials were appointment viewing for magic fans. Copperfield's most famous illusion during this period came in 1983 when he seemingly made the Statue of Liberty disappear. The spectacle was watched by millions of people on television, which only added to Copperfield's growing prestige. In the mid-'90s Copperfield's personal life became a source of much intrigue when he became engaged to the supermodel Claudia Schiffer. Their engagement, however, was called off in 1999 due to differences in their jet-setting schedules. By the 21st Century, Copperfield had continued performing hundreds of shows of years, while maintaining his status as one of the highest earning entertainers in the United States.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Visual Effects (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Director (Special)
Cast (Special)
Producer (Special)
Misc. Crew (Special)
Life Events
1972
Taught magic at New York University
1974
Left college when he was cast in the lead of the original musical, "The Magic Man", produced in Chicago
1977
Hosted and performed in his first TV program, the ABC special, "The Magic of ABC"
1980
Appeared in the Canadian-made feature film, "Terror Train"; played a magician and staged several illusions
1981
Signed by CBS to star in a series of magic specials; first for the network, "The Magic of David Copperfield", which he also produced
1982
Founded Project Magic, a rehabilitation project which helps disabled hospital patients learn basic sleight-of-hand tricks to strengthen motor skills
1983
TV directorial debut, the CBS special, "The Magic of David Copperfield"
1983
First executive producer credit, "Kraft Salutes the Magic of David Copperfield IX: The Escape from Alcatraz"
1991
Bought much of the collection of the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts from the Resolution Trust Corporation when the company had to clean up the assets troubles of First Network Savings of Los Angeles and its chairman Carl M. Rheuban, a magic buff
1994
Executive produced, produced, directed and starred in the retrospective compilation, "David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic"
1996
Made Broadway debut in "Dreams and Nightmares"
1999
Toured with magic show "You!"
2000
Starred in the CBS special "David Copperfield: The Great Escapes"
2013
Appeared in "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone"
Family
Companions
