Ivan Amodei

Last updated

Ivan Amodei Magician
Born (1976-08-22) August 22, 1976 (age 47)
Occupation magician
Known for Parlor magic
TitleMagician
Children2
Website www.ivanamodei.com

Ivan Amodei (born August 22, 1976) is an illusionist. Amodei performs at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and also tours internationally with his show Secrets and Illusions.

Contents

Career

In 1999, Amodei became a regular performer at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. In 2005, he won first place at the International Brotherhood of Magicians Close-Up Competition. [1] In 2005, he won FIRST place at the Society of American Magicians Close-Up Competition, as well as, the People's Choice Award. [1]

In 2010, Amodei's book Magic's Most Amazing Stories was published and was nominated by ForeWord Review for book of the year. [2] On October 23, 2010, Amodei opened a one-man show at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. It was named Made in Italy. [3] On December 31, 2010, Amodei did a guest appearance at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills that led to an open run of his show at the hotel. [4] The name of the show was then changed to Intimate Illusions. Splash magazine called him a "master in his art." [5] In May 2012, Westlake Magazine included Ivan in their achievers issue. [6] In June 2012, Amodei received recognition by the honorable Mayor of Beverly Hills William W. Brien M.D. for his contribution to the world of magic and illusion. [7]

In 2013, he celebrated his 400th show at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and was ranked as the #1 attraction in Beverly Hills, CA according to Trip Advisor. [8]

Personal life

Born in a modest Sicilian town, he relocated to New York City at the age of 2, accompanying his hairdresser parents and uncle who ventured to establish their own salon. At around 5 years old, his parents organized a gathering where a guest showcased a selection of magic tricks, leaving an indelible mark on young Amodei. [9] This pivotal encounter kindled his passion for magic, leading him to discover a local magic shop in his Brooklyn neighborhood. Guided by the benevolent shop owner, he acquired proficiency in card and coin tricks, delved into books elucidating various magical techniques, and swiftly progressed to captivating audiences with his own demonstrations. [9]

Amodei currently lives in Southern California on his ranch with his twin boy and girl and wife. [10] In 2016, he appeared on the season finale of Penn & Teller: Fool Us on which he was determined to have fooled Penn & Teller based on judges' decision. [11]

Filmography

Year(s)Show or MovieRoleProducerRef(s)
2006Magic Castle After DarkIvan Amodei - Magician A&E Television Networks [12]
2013 The Arsenio Hall Show, Episode #1.20Ivan Amodei - himself CBS Media Ventures [13]
2013 Home & Family, Episode #2.24Ivan Amodei - himself Hallmark Media [14]
2013 Home & Family, Episode dated 28 May 2013Ivan Amodei - himself Hallmark Media [15]
2016 Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Can Penn & Teller Fool Penn & TellerIvan Amodei - himself The CW Network [16]


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penn & Teller</span> American illusionists and entertainers

Penn & Teller, Penn Jillette and Teller, are American magicians, entertainers, and scientific skeptics who have performed together since the late 1970s. They are noted for their ongoing act that combines elements of comedy with magic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penn Jillette</span> American magician and actor (born 1955)

Penn Fraser Jillette is an American magician, actor, musician, inventor, television presenter, and author, best known for his work with fellow magician Teller as half of the team Penn & Teller. The duo has been featured in numerous stage and television shows, such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, and is currently headlining in Las Vegas at The Rio. Jillette serves as the act's orator and raconteur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Maven</span> American magician and mentalist (1950–2022)

Max Maven was an American magician and mentalist whose performances were considered erudite and intelligent. He is ranked as one of the most influential mentalists of all time, and one of the 100 "Most Influential Magicians of the 20th Century" by Magic Magazine.

Quick-change is a performance style where a performer changes quickly, usually within seconds, from one costume into another.

John Max Thompson was an American comedian and Las Vegas illusionist who performed under the stage name The Great Tomsoni with his wife, Pamela Hayes. They had a comedic slapstick act with the well-dressed Thompson and his gum-popping assistant, Pam, performing illusions while enduring a series of mishaps. Within the magician community, Tomsoni was considered a virtuoso, widely known as a mentor and teacher of magic, and a creator of tricks, as opposed to simply a performer. He worked behind the scenes with magicians such as Penn and Teller, Lance Burton, Criss Angel and Mat Franco. In 1999, he was awarded one of the highest honors in the magician community, a Masters Fellowship with the Academy of Magical Arts. January 30, 2020, Showtime released a documentary about Thompson written and directed by Emery Emery called Gambler's Ballad: The Legend of Johnny Thompson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Jay</span>

Joshua Jay is an American magician, author, and lecturer. He has performed in over 100 countries and was awarded top prize at the World Magic Seminar in 1998. He worked with Penn and Teller on the show Fool Us, and he holds a Guinness World Record for card tricks. Jay has performed on shows including Good Morning America and The Today Show. In January 2018, Jay was recognized by the Society of American Magicians for his contribution to the art of magic.

William Walter Larsen Jr. known as Bill Larsen was an American magician and president of the Academy of Magical Arts. He was born in Pasadena, California to attorney William Larsen Sr. and TV host Geraldine Jaffe Larsen. His younger brother was Milt Larsen. After their father's death in 1953, the brothers took over publication of Genii magazine, leased the Hollywood Victorian home "Holly Chateau" and with his future wife Irene Larsen built it into the private performance venue and restaurant now called the Magic Castle where the Academy of Magical Arts is headquartered. Larsen served as president of the academy until his death in 1993. Bill and brother Milt share a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Matt Marcy is an American comedian-magician known for his original, comedy illusions. In 1997 he was named by the Academy of Magical Arts as its top ranking young magician when he was just 20 years old. He was a Master of Ceremonies at Wizardz Dinner Theater at Universal Studios Hollywood. He is now primarily a corporate entertainer, and has performed for a variety of celebrities and dignitaries, including Prince Faisel of Saudi Arabia. He was also an opening act for The Amazing Johnathan at the Sahara Hotel and Casino and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, and recently appeared on the A&E TV show Magic Castle After Dark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Super</span> American magician

Mike Super is an American magician who is the winner of the NBC show Phenomenon. He was a top finalist on Season 9 of America's Got Talent. He's also appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Penn & Teller: Fool Us series. Super currently tours the U.S. and Canada with his illusion show.

Andi Gladwin is a British magician, speaker, and publisher. He has appeared on television, has lectured for magicians throughout the UK, US, and Europe and written/published books on magic. Gladwin is a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star and was granted the Maskelyne Literary Award from the prestigious club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Farquhar</span> Canadian magician

Shawn Farquhar is a Canadian magician and illusionist notable for his title as the "Grand Prix World Champion of Magic" from the International Federation of Magic Societies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic (illusion)</span> Performing art involving the use of illusion

Magic, which encompasses the subgenres of illusion, stage magic, and close-up magic, among others, is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means. It is to be distinguished from paranormal magic which are effects claimed to be created through supernatural means. It is one of the oldest performing arts in the world.

John Lovick is an American magician, writer, and director. Since the 1990s he has performed as a magician throughout the United States and Canada, as well as England, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia.

<i>Penn & Teller: Fool Us</i> American magic competition television series

Penn & Teller: Fool Us is a magic competition television series in which magicians perform tricks in front of American magician-comedian duo Penn & Teller. Its first two seasons were hosted by Jonathan Ross, the third through ninth seasons were hosted by Alyson Hannigan and the tenth season by Brooke Burke. Fool Us was filmed at Fountain Studios in London, England and the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, located in Las Vegas. After each performance, if Penn & Teller cannot figure out how a trick was done, the magician(s) who performed it win a Fool Us trophy and a five-star trip to Las Vegas to perform as the opening act in Penn & Teller's show, also at the Rio Hotel & Casino.

Dan Sperry is an American magician and illusionist. He lives in New York City and Las Vegas.

Benjamin Earl is a British magician, sleight-of-hand specialist, and illusionist. He appeared in the pilot episode of Penn & Teller: Fool Us and is one of eleven performers in the first season that "fooled" Penn and Teller in the episodes that went to air.

Wayne Hoffman is an American mentalist and illusionist. He has appeared on many international television shows and tours the world with his live show entitled "Mind Candy" and his motivational keynote entitled "The Power and Potential of The Human Mind." He also performs a virtual magic and mind reading show entitled "Distant Deceptions." He appeared on America's Got Talent, season 10 (2015) and also appeared in their TV commercial. He appeared on NBC's television show Phenomenon on October 31, 2007. He was a co-host of The A-List on Discovery's Animal Planet. He was also a guest on CNN's television talk show Glenn Beck on March 25, 2008. He appeared as a guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show on April 13, 2009. On May 4, 2012, he appeared in a short movie entitled "Epic School Battle" with Steven Tyler and KISS He also appeared on CBS's Excused on October 30, 2012. He also appeared on Beverly Hills Pawn on June 12, 2013. Wayne Hoffman was also an expert guest on The Numbers Game on The National geographic Channel on March 31, 2014 Wayne successfully fooled Penn & Teller on their show Fool Us on the CW network on August 31, 2016. He subsequently performed onstage with Penn & Teller at the Rio Hotel and casino on September 25, 2016. Wayne also appeared on the show HARRY, hosted by Harry Connick Jr., on October 13, 2017. He also appeared on Takeshi Kitano's "Unbelieveable" on Japan's TV Asahi in December 2013. He was also a guest on Fuji TV's "Anbiribabo" on March 20, 2014

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mysterion the Mind Reader</span> Canadian mentalist, magician, and writer

Mysterion is a Canadian mentalist, magician, collector, comedic writer and occasional wrestling manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willi Auerbach</span> German stage magician

Willi Auerbach is a German stage illusionist, magician, and designer of magical illusions.

Keelan Leyser is a British-born magician, mentalist and quick change artist, who is known for his multiple television appearances spanning over 25 years. He is recognised for his magic with digital technology and his quick change act.

References

  1. 1 2 Shawn McMaster (November 1, 2005). "Eventually Ivan". Magic Magazine.
  2. ForeWord Review (October 2, 2010). "Magic's Most Amazing Stories". Eclipse Inc.
  3. Katy Smith (October 3, 2010). "Made in Italy Westlake Village". Ventura County Star.
  4. Don Grigware (May 3, 2011). "Class Act". BroadwayWorld.
  5. Ma'ayan Cohen (March 30, 2012). "Magic is for grown ups". Splash Magazine.
  6. Niki Chopra Richardson (March 1, 2012). "Magic close up and personal". Westlake Magazine.
  7. Raj Vora (June 19, 2012). "Jain Social Group Honors". India West.
  8. Marci Weiner (May 23, 2023). "Beverly Hills Illusionist & Hollywood Moms Saluted by ABC". Entertainment Today.
  9. 1 2 Raj Vora (May 13, 2023). "The marvelous Mr. Amodei". California Lutheran University.
  10. Maxine Hurt (April 1, 2008). "The Home of Magic". Ventana Magazine.
  11. "Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Can Penn & Teller Fool Penn & Teller". The CW Network, LLC. May 23, 2023.
  12. "Magic Castle After Dark". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  13. "The Arsenio Hall Show, Episode #1.20". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  14. "Home & Family, Episode #2.24". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  15. "Home & Family, Episode dated 28 May 2013". IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  16. "CPenn & Teller: Fool Us, Can Penn & Teller Fool Penn & Teller". The CW Network, LLC. Retrieved May 23, 2023.