Ricky Jay

A legendary sleight-of-hand artist and master of illusion, Ricky Jay blends razor-sharp magic with sharp wit as he captivates audiences and blurs the line between reality and deception.

Born

June 26, 1946

Died

2018

Also:
Writer

Credits on file

Decades active

In short · Acted for four decades — 25 credits.

Remembered for

Ranked by community engagement + sustained interest across this person's credits in our database.

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Biography

Ricky Jay, born Richard Jay Potash, was an American stage magician, actor, and writer known for his exceptional sleight of hand and card tricks. He was described by Mark Singer in a 1993 *New Yorker* profile as "perhaps the most gifted sleight of hand artist alive." Jay also performed card throwing, memory demonstrations, and witty stage patter, and he authored works on the history of magic. As an actor, he appeared in films such as *The Prestige*, *The Spanish Prisoner*, *Mystery Men*, *Heist*, *Boogie Nights*, *Tomorrow Never Dies*, *Heartbreakers*, *State and Main*, *House of Games*, *Magnolia*, *Deadwood*, and *Sneaky Pete*. In 2015, he was the subject of a PBS *American Masters* episode, making him the only magician ever featured in the series.

Filmography · 20 of 20

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