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Penn JilletteAmerican magician, comedian, illusionist, juggler, musician and writer
Date of Birth: 05.03.1955
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Penn Jillette
Penn Fraser Jillette, an American magician, comedian, illusionist, juggler, musician, and writer, is known for his work with fellow illusionist, Teller, in the duo 'Penn & Teller'. He is also known for his advocacy of free markets, atheism, objectivist philosophy, and scientific skepticism. Born on March 5, 1955, in Greenfield, Massachusetts, USA, Jillette was disillusioned by the traditional approach of magicians, who performed their tricks using supposedly real magic. Among such "genuine" magicians was The Amazing Kreskin on 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson'.
Early Life and Career
At the age of seventeen, Jillette saw illusionist James Randi's show and was captivated by his approach to magic. Randi openly acknowledged the "backside" of every trick and did not hide that it was all just deception for entertainment, not the work of supernatural forces. Jillette often speaks about his deep love and admiration for James, a love as strong as for his family members.
Jillette worked with his high school classmate Michael Moschen, developing and performing their juggling act for a year. In 1974, Jillette graduated from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College and found a like-minded friend, Teller, in the same year. In 1981, the two joined forces as 'Penn & Teller' and began their well-known off-Broadway show.
In 1994, Jillette purchased a house in Las Vegas and jokingly named it "The Slammer." This event received wide publicity in multiple TV shows and print publications. Currently, Jillette records music in his "Slammer," having previously hosted his own radio show there. Although he lives in Las Vegas, Jillette once joked that he never gambles.
In 1996, the magician landed a recurring role as Drell, the head of the Witches' Council, in the TV series 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch.' Starting from 2003, Jillette and Teller produced and hosted the show 'Penn & Teller: Bullshit!' In this project, they analyzed cultural phenomena, debunked myths, and criticized society as a whole and individuals who, in their opinion, fit the definition of "bullshit."
In 2005, actor Paul Provenza and Jillette co-produced and directed the documentary film 'The Aristocrats,' which revealed the secrets of the comedy world and the history of the filthiest jokes, which are never supposed to be repeated.
Personal Life and Beliefs
In July 1999, Jillette received a US patent for a hydrotherapeutic stimulator called the "Jill-Jet," designed to provide women with pleasure. He thanked Deborah Harry from the band 'Blondie' for the idea when they were both taking a hot bath and she suggested changing the jets for pleasure. Jillette liked the idea, and his developed "Jill-Jet" aims to stimulate specific sensitive female areas. Details about the invention later appeared in the June 2006 issue of 'Playboy' magazine. Jillette installed the "Jill-Jet" at his home and noted that his partners' wives and girlfriends "liked a lot of things" about it, adding that he hadn't come across any similar inventions.
One of the reasons why one nail on Jillette's left hand is always red is that before his first stage appearance, his mother told the 18-year-old magician to get a manicure because people would definitely look at his hands. In response, he jokingly painted all his nails red. Now, the remaining red nail serves as a memory of his mother. In one episode of his radio show 'Penn Radio' on November 29, 2006, Jillette revealed the name of the nail polish shade – an attractive juicy red shade called 'Jelly Apple Red,' number 54, from 'Essie'.
Jillette claims that he does not use recreational drugs or alcohol but advocates for the legalization of all drugs to end the "war on drugs." He is an outspoken atheist, a proponent of freedom of thought and action, and does not hesitate to identify himself as an anarcho-capitalist. He is also a skeptic and a follower of the objectivist philosophy of Ayn Rand.
In January 2007, Jillette participated in the atheist Internet project 'Blasphemy Challenge,' which advocated open blasphemy and public denial of the existence of the Holy Spirit. In 2005, Jillette wrote and read an essay stating, "I believe in atheism. Atheism doesn't believe in God... I believe that there is no God." He welcomes and encourages open discussion and debates on the question of God's existence, believing it to be too important of a question that often goes unspoken.
Jillette is very tall, standing at 198 cm.
