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Ricky JayAmerican actor and illusionist
Country:
 USA |
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Biography of Ricky Jay
Ricky Jay is an American actor and illusionist renowned for his sleight of hand, card tricks, and other manipulations. He was born Richard Jay Potash in 1948 in Brooklyn, New York, into a Jewish family. Ricky's grandfather, Max Katz, was a great lover of magic tricks and introduced Ricky to them from a young age.
Illusionist Extraordinaire
Ricky Jay gained fame for his incredible card throwing skills, which earned him a place in the Guinness World Records. He held the record for the longest card throw at 190 feet, reaching a speed of 90 miles per hour. Although this record was later broken by illusionist Rick Smith Jr., Ricky Jay remains synonymous with dexterity and card manipulation.
Actor and Consultant
Ricky Jay also made a name for himself as an actor. He began his film career in the 1980s and quickly became a favorite of director David Mamet. Mamet cast Ricky in several of his films, including "House of Games," "Things Change," "The Spanish Prisoner," "State and Main," and "Heist." In Mamet's film "Heist," Ricky's character can be seen carrying a stack of books, one of which is titled "Magic in Barcelona," a nod to Ricky Jay's reputation as a magician.
Ricky Jay also worked as a consultant for actor Hugh Jackman, helping him prepare for his role as the famous illusionist Harry Houdini in a Broadway musical. Ricky's comedic performance in the ensemble cast of "State and Main" earned him several film awards, including the Florida Film Critics Circle Awards and the National Board of Review.
Author and Lecturer
In addition to his work in film and magic, Ricky Jay founded the company "Deceptive Practices," which offers consultations on practical magic. He is also the author of several books, including "Ricky Jay Plays Poker," "Cards As Weapons," and "Jay's Journal of Anomalies." Currently, Ricky Jay serves as a lecturer at the University of Leeds and is a member of the American Antiquarian Society. He is also the curator of the Mulholland Library of Conjuring and the Allied Arts.
