Misplaced Pages

David Copperfield (illusionist): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from[REDACTED] with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 05:30, 20 May 2009 editRatel (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users12,985 edits Undid revision 291114577 by Karelin7 (talk)← Previous edit Revision as of 05:31, 20 May 2009 edit undoRatel (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users12,985 editsm →CareerNext edit →
Line 30: Line 30:
'']'' magazine reported that Copperfield earned ]57 million in 2003, making him the tenth highest paid ] 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.<ref> and </ref> Copperfield performs over 500 shows per year throughout the world.<ref> {{cite news|url=http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=573|title=David Copperfield to Captivate Seoul Audience|first=Mark|last=Basquille|publisher=The Seoul Times|date=May 2004}}</ref> '']'' magazine reported that Copperfield earned ]57 million in 2003, making him the tenth highest paid ] 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.<ref> and </ref> Copperfield performs over 500 shows per year throughout the world.<ref> {{cite news|url=http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=573|title=David Copperfield to Captivate Seoul Audience|first=Mark|last=Basquille|publisher=The Seoul Times|date=May 2004}}</ref>


Copperfield owns the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, which houses "possibly the world's largest" <ref> Greg Braxton, "Curator Copperfield," Los Angeles Times, Nov. 29, 2002 (available at http://articles.latimes.com/2002/nov/29/entertainment/et-braxton29 (last visited May 20, 2009). </ref> collection of the historically significant magic memorabilia, books, and artifacts. <ref> http://geniimagazine.com/index.php/International_Museum_and_Library_of_the_Conjuring_Arts </ref> has a collection of magic and conjuring memorabilia and historical artifacts that he stores in a warehouse in ].<ref name="museum">{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303546,00.html|title=Cops: Seattle Woman Claims David Copperfield Raped Her|accessdate=2008-04-08|publisher=Fox News}}</ref> The warehouse is entered via a secret door in what actor ] described as a "sex shop". <ref> {{cite web Copperfield owns the ''International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts'', which houses "possibly the world's largest"<ref> Greg Braxton, "Curator Copperfield," Los Angeles Times, Nov. 29, 2002 (available at http://articles.latimes.com/2002/nov/29/entertainment/et-braxton29 (last visited May 20, 2009). </ref> collection of the historically significant magic memorabilia, books, and artifacts.<ref> http://geniimagazine.com/index.php/International_Museum_and_Library_of_the_Conjuring_Arts </ref> has a collection of magic and conjuring memorabilia and historical artifacts that he stores in a warehouse in ].<ref name="museum">{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303546,00.html|title=Cops: Seattle Woman Claims David Copperfield Raped Her|accessdate=2008-04-08|publisher=Fox News}}</ref> The warehouse is entered via a secret door in what actor ] described as a "sex shop". <ref> {{cite web
|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/10202007/news/nationalnews/cop_a_feel.htm |url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/10202007/news/nationalnews/cop_a_feel.htm
|title=COP-A-FEEL - New York Post |title=COP-A-FEEL - New York Post
Line 36: Line 36:
|accessdate=2009-03-30 |accessdate=2009-03-30
|quote=We pull up outside this sex shop and David gets out, pulls out a set of keys and walks in, and we're thinking, 'Oh my God, what have we got ourselves into here?' |quote=We pull up outside this sex shop and David gets out, pulls out a set of keys and walks in, and we're thinking, 'Oh my God, what have we got ourselves into here?'
}} </ref> The Museum consists of 5,000 cubic feet of magic memorabilia of historical significance, including Houdini's Water Torture cabinet and Metamorphosis Trunk, Orson Welles's Buzz Saw Illusion, and automata created by Robert Houdin. <ref> http://geniimagazine.com/index.php/International_Museum_and_Library_of_the_Conjuring_Arts </ref> }} </ref> The Museum consists of 5,000 cubic feet of magic memorabilia of historical significance, including Houdini's Water Torture cabinet and Metamorphosis Trunk, Orson Welles's Buzz Saw Illusion, and automata created by Robert Houdin. <ref> http://geniimagazine.com/index.php/International_Museum_and_Library_of_the_Conjuring_Arts</ref> The warehouse is not open to the public.<ref>

</ref> The warehouse is not open to the public.<ref>
{{cite web {{cite web
|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25181641-5003423,00.html |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25181641-5003423,00.html

Revision as of 05:31, 20 May 2009

For other uses, see David Copperfield (disambiguation).

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.

Early life

Copperfield was born David Seth Kotkin in Metuchen, New Jersey, the son of Jewish parents, Rebecca, an insurance adjuster, and Hyman Kotkin, who owned and operated a men's haberdashery in Metuchen called Korby's. Copperfield's mother was born in Jerusalem, Israel, while his paternal grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Russia. 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.

Career

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. Copperfield has been seen worldwide by more people than any other magician in history, including Houdini.

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.”

Also during 1996, Copperfield's Broadway show "Dreams and Nightmares" broke box office records.

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 owns the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, which houses "possibly the world's largest" collection of the historically significant magic memorabilia, books, and artifacts. has a collection of magic and conjuring memorabilia and historical artifacts that he stores in a warehouse in Las Vegas. The warehouse is entered via a secret door in what actor Hugh Jackman described as a "sex shop". The Museum consists of 5,000 cubic feet of magic memorabilia of historical significance, including Houdini's Water Torture cabinet and Metamorphosis Trunk, Orson Welles's Buzz Saw Illusion, and automata created by Robert Houdin. The warehouse is not open to the public.

On 7 May, 2009, Copperfield was dropped by Michael Jackson from Jackson's residency at the O2 Arena after an alleged row over money. Copperfield wanted $1 million (£666,000) per show.

Relationship with Claudia Schiffer

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, citing "work schedules" as the reason for the parting.

FBI investigation

In 2007 Copperfield was investigated by a Seattle federal grand jury on allegations of sexual assault. Copperfield’s accuser, a 21-year-old Seattle woman, who met Copperfield at one of his magic shows, alleged that she was raped and assaulted by Copperfield while alone with him on his private island in the Bahamas in late July, 2007. She also alleged that Copperfield threatened her, telling her to remain quiet. Upon her return to Seattle, the woman went directly to the Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress and a rape kit was assembled. Some of her clothing was taken as evidence. The Seattle office of the FBI, which headed the investigation, then raided Copperfield's property warehouse and magic museum in Las Vegas. The search warrant remains sealed. Copperfield's attorney denied the allegations and stated that the accuser's accusations are false, and that Copperfield was targeted because of his celebrity status. No charges have been filed against Copperfield.

Viva Art lawsuit

On November 6, 2007, Viva Art International Ltd and Maz Concerts Inc. sued Copperfield for nearly $2.2 million for cancelling a tour of Southeast Asia and Abu Dhabi. The breach of contract suit names Copperfield, his company and one of his attorneys and claims Copperfield backed out of a 48-show deal because of the FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations against Copperfield. The plaintiffs claimed they gave Copperfield approximately $2.2 million to cover his costs before he cancelled the shows. Copperfield, through his attorney, allegedly refused to return any portion of the money.

Copperfield's spokesperson stated that he canceled the tour because the promoters failed to honor their contractual commitments. According to the spokesperson, the promoter admitted, in an email to Copperfield, that Copperfield had the right to cancel the entire tour because the Abu Dhabi performances had to be rescheduled: " have been recently informed that a major issue has arisen in the market of Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. which requires us to reschedule the performance dates . . . According to our agreement, I am aware that the artist has the right to cancel the entire contracted tour including the Southeast Asia (SEA) tour leg." However, an attorney for the promoters stated, "At no point did my client say 'You have a right to cancel and keep all my money,'" the attorney said.

To date, the money remains in an escrow account pending the outcome of the suit. Copperfield has countersued the promoters for $4 million. No trial date has been set.

Fireman's Fund lawsuit

On August 25, 2000 Copperfield filed a lawsuit against Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, alleging that the insurer improperly denied a claim he filed seeking reimbursement of the $506,343 he spent to get equipment used in performances back from Russia, where his equipment was held for ransom by unknown people, believed by Copperfield to be the Russian mafia. Copperfield lost the suit.

"Magic Underground" restaurant

David Copperfield's Magic Underground was planned to be a restaurant based on Copperfield's magic. There was a sign on Hollywood Boulevard during the late 90s indicating the restaurant was coming soon. Signs were also located around Pleasure Island and signs outside Disney-MGM Studios. The restaurant was to have magic props and other items on the walls of the restaurants while magicians would go around to tables doing sleight of hand tricks. There was also to be a larger stage for larger stunts. The restaurant was never built because finances dried up from the magician and his financiers, with some 25 businesses filing more than $15 million in liens against the project.

Purchase of island in Bahamas

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.

John Melk, co-founder of Blockbuster Inc., and previous owner of Musha Cay, sued Copperfield for fraud after the purchase, alleging that Copperfield had deliberately obscured his identity during the purchase and that he would not have sold the island to Copperfield. The case was settled in 2006. The terms of the settlement are undisclosed.

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. 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.

Work with the "differently abled"

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.

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 is the first living magician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Copperfield was knighted by the French government, receiving the Chevalier of Arts and Letters, the first one ever awarded a magician.
  • Madame Tussaud's in London has honored Copperfield with a flying likeness in wax.

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. C. Spenser Beggs (2002). "The magic of David Copperfield". The Online Observer. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  7. http://people.famouswhy.com/david_copperfield
  8. http://people.famouswhy.com/david_copperfield
  9. Forbes.com 2005 listing and 2004
  10. Basquille, Mark (May 2004). "David Copperfield to Captivate Seoul Audience". The Seoul Times.
  11. Greg Braxton, "Curator Copperfield," Los Angeles Times, Nov. 29, 2002 (available at http://articles.latimes.com/2002/nov/29/entertainment/et-braxton29 (last visited May 20, 2009).
  12. http://geniimagazine.com/index.php/International_Museum_and_Library_of_the_Conjuring_Arts
  13. "Cops: Seattle Woman Claims David Copperfield Raped Her". Fox News. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  14. "COP-A-FEEL - New York Post". nypost.com. Retrieved 2009-03-30. We pull up outside this sex shop and David gets out, pulls out a set of keys and walks in, and we're thinking, 'Oh my God, what have we got ourselves into here?'
  15. http://geniimagazine.com/index.php/International_Museum_and_Library_of_the_Conjuring_Arts
  16. "David Copperfield to bring magic act to Australia". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 2009-05-20. {{cite web}}: Text "The Courier-Mail" ignored (help)
  17. "Daily Express". www.express.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-05-18. {{cite web}}: Text "Showbiz :: Jackson swaps Copperfield for Angel" ignored (help)
  18. "CANOE -- JAM! - Schiffer's big shift". jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2009-05-20. It was our work schedules that ended the relationship.
  19. Barrett, Katherine (2007-10-19). "Copperfield raid related to Bahamas incident". Authorities are investigating a Seattle woman's allegation that she was sexually assaulted by illusionist David Copperfield, two law enforcement sources told CNN on Friday. An attorney for the magician "categorically denied" the accusation.
  20. ^ Carter, Mike (2007-10-27). "Grand jury investigates Copperfield allegations". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2007-10-28. A Seattle federal grand jury is investigating allegations by an aspiring model from Washington who said she was raped, assaulted and threatened by magician David Copperfield at his private island in the Bahamas in July
  21. "$2M up magician David Copperfield's sleeve?". www.nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  22. Barrett, CNN, footnote 12 (Copperfield's counsel stated, "We're obviously disturbed that those kind of allegations are being made, but we believe that that's a common event now, unfortunately, for celebrated people to be falsely accused.")
  23. "Las Vegas Weekly : A real magic trick". www.lasvegasweekly.com. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
  24. "Promoters Sue David Copperfield for $2.2 Million". Voice of America. 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-11.
  25. "SFGate: Daily Dish : David Copperfield". sfgate.com. Retrieved 2009-05-17. Copperfield has reportedly refused to return any portion of the sum.
  26. ^ "David Copperfield rep says shows canceled over money". www.nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  27. http://www.kvbc.com/global/story.asp?s=7338749
  28. The "Response to allegations in lawsuit from David Copperfield's representative". www.kvbc.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20. According to our agreement, I am aware that the artist has the right to cancel the entire contracted tour including the Southeast Asia (SEA) tour leg
  29. "Copperfield: I'll Try and Make Your Suit Disappear!". www.tmz.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20. {{cite web}}: Text "TMZ.com" ignored (help)
  30. "Viva Art International Ltd. & MAZ Concerts Inc.: Media Advisory". findarticles.com. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  31. "Viva Art International Ltd. & MAZ Concerts Inc.: Media Advisory". www.marketwire.com. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  32. "David Copperfield Sues Fireman's Fund". www.insurancejournal.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20. The entertainer said he subsequently found out that a company he believes to be associated with the Russian mafia was holding the papers for a ransom.
  33. "Jury goes against magician. (12-MAR-03) Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas, NV)". www.accessmylibrary.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  34. "Presto! A David Copperfield Magic Restaurant - The New York Times". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  35. "Walt Dated World - Disney/MGM Studios".
  36. "The Disneylands That Never Were".
  37. "Cost overruns stop Copperfield's construction". findarticles.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20. {{cite web}}: Text "Find Articles at BNET" ignored (help); Text "Nation's Restaurant News" ignored (help)
  38. ^ David Copperfield Finds the Fountain of Youth | Photos and Exclusive Interview from VegasPopular.com
  39. ^ "FOXNews.com - Property Owner Sued Copperfield Over Sale of Island Where Alleged Rape Occurred". www.foxnews.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  40. "David Copperfield tricks robbers". CNN. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  41. "David Copperfield Robbed At Gunpoint". The Smoking Gun. 2006-04-26.
  42. "Thief tricked by David Copperfield pleads guilty". ehmac. 2006-11-10.
  43. ^ "USATODAY.com - David Copperfield conjures therapeutic magic". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  44. "Records of Emmy Awards". Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  45. "Living Legends". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  46. http://www.magicwebchannel.com/hall_copperfield.htm
  47. http://people.famouswhy.com/david_copperfield
  48. http://people.famouswhy.com/david_copperfield

External links

Template:Famous Magicians

Categories:
David Copperfield (illusionist): Difference between revisions Add topic