Jonathan Levit

Last updated
Jonathan Levit
Born (1971-04-20) April 20, 1971 (age 52)
Occupation(s) Magician, Actor, Theatrical producer
Website http://www.jonathanlevit.com/

Jonathan Levit (born April 20, 1971) is an American magician, actor, television host and theatrical producer. He has appeared in quite a number of movies and television series, and was the host of VH1's reality series Celebracadabra . Jonathan also performs frequently at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.

Contents

Biography

Early life

At the age of 3, Levit experienced life as a world traveler, moving with his family to Iran for several years. During those years, he would take in the culture from all over Europe and the world.

At the age of 8, Levit was bitten by the performing bug, and his life was never same. While back in America, Levit happened upon some old magic tricks in the basement of his home, which belonged to his father. Jonathan first set foot on stage to perform his first magic act at the age of 12. That same year, Levit appeared on The Sally Jessy Raphael Show along with David Copperfield as a guest.

Levit continued his training as a magician, studying with some of the top minds in the art, honing his sleight of hand and performance skills, at the same time receiving numerous awards in close up, stage and street performing competitions.

Producing grabbed Levit's interest while in college at Syracuse University in New York. Levit would produce a variety of sold out shows on and off campus during his academic career, casting many performers that have gone on to become forces of their own in the entertainment fields.

Before leaving Syracuse, Levit was sent the inspiration he needed and would look back on to give him the push to pursue his true interest. Bob Costas wrote Levit a note telling him to "follow your dreams...you can't go wrong." He still holds that note from time to time as a reminder. This was the spark Levit needed, as he loaded up his car and set out for Hollywood. [1]

Career

Upon moving to Los Angeles, Levit immediately dived into training at various acting studios. It didn't take long for him to get into his groove once again. His first appearance on television came in the form of a starring role, opposite Ricky Jay, on The X-Files . [2] This role would pave the way for an adventurous and successful life as an actor and television host. Appearing in starring roles in top-rated television shows and commercial films, Jonathan has enjoyed a constant journey forward. As a television host, Levit has been swept all over the world, exploring some of the most intriguing and exciting stories imaginable.

While at home in Los Angeles, Levit continues to work as an actor, television host and voiceover artist and is often a welcomed performer at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Here, he has the opportunity to hone his other lifelong passion of performing magic. It's this balance of acting and magic that keeps Levit sharp - "both arts enhance each other." [1]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleOther notes
1999 Bellyfruit Roger 
2000 The X-Files Billy LaBonge"The Amazing Maleeni" episode
The Others Movie Producer 
2001Double DeceptionFrank Forda.k.a. 24 Hours to Die
The Huntress Danny Blaze"Now You See Him" episode
2002 Unspeakable Kenny 
2004Michael BlancoThe Manager 
Miracle HuntersHimself - HostTV series
2005Val/ValTrevor 
2006 The Bold and the Beautiful Robert - Applicant #2Episode #1.4716
Wired NextFest Himself - Host 
2007 Tortilla Heaven Dr. Webman 
Never Say MacbethRadio Announcer (voice) 
Green WheelsHimself - HostTV series
2008 Green With Envy Himself - HostTV series (Fine Living)
Celebracadabra Himself - HostTV series (VH1)
Paranormal U.S.A.Himself - HostTV series (Biography)
War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave Yates GormanSequel to The Asylum's adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Alexander</span> American actor (born 1959)

Jay Scott Greenspan, known professionally as Jason Alexander, is an American actor and comedian. He played George Costanza in the television series Seinfeld from 1989 to 1998, for which he was nominated for seven consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Henning</span> Canadian illusionist (1947–2000)

Douglas James Henning was a Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist and politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Blackstone Jr.</span> American magician (1934–1997)

Harry Bouton Blackstone Jr. was an American stage magician, author, and television performer. He is estimated to have pulled 80,000 rabbits from his sleeves and hats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Anderson</span> American actor, comedian, and magician (1952–2018)

Harry Laverne Anderson was an American actor, comedian and magician. He is best known for his role as Judge Harry Stone on the NBC sitcom Night Court (1984–1992). He later played Dave Barry on the CBS sitcom Dave's World (1993–1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Valentine Pitchford</span> British magician (1895 – 1973)

Richard Valentine Pitchford was a master magician under the name Cardini, whose career spanned almost half a century. Born in Britain, he worked chiefly in the United States of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff McBride</span> American magician (born 1959)

Jeff McBride, also known as "Magnus", is an American magician and magic instructor. He is known for his sleight of hand skills and specializes in the manipulation of playing cards, coins, and other small objects. His stage performances blend elements of kabuki, a Japanese theater form, with traditional conjuring. He has been recognized by the Academy of Magical Arts, the Society of American Magicians, and the International Federation of Magic Societies. He has also has set several Guinness World Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milt Larsen</span> American businessman (1931–2023)

Milt Larsen was an American actor, writer, performer, lyricist, magician, businessman, speaker, and the creator of The Magic Castle, a private club for magicians and enthusiasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Slydini</span> Italian-born magician (1900–1991)

Tony Slydini, simply known as Slydini, was a world-renowned magician. His mastery, expertise, originality and innovative approach to close-up artistry magic, earned him a legendary reputation in the magic world. He traveled the world performing for the public as well as performing and lecturing fellow magicians. As a result, he served as an inspiration to generations of well-known magicians, celebrities and entertainers, including Doug Henning, Dick Cavett, Bill Bixby, Ricky Jay, David Copperfield and countless others. Although he was best known as a master of close-up artistry, he continually demonstrated an extraordinary performing ability and during his lifetime was responsible for a long series of books, films and publications highlighting his mastery of the magical crafts. For his work, he received the highest honors that his profession could bestow, including both the coveted Masters Fellowship Award and Performing Fellowship Award from the Academy of Magical Arts. During his lifetime, Tony Slydini was inducted into the Society of American Magicians Hall of Fame as a Living Legend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Ballantine</span> American magician, comedian and actor (1917–2009)

Carl Ballantine was an American magician, comedian and actor. Billing himself as "The Great Ballantine", "The Amazing Ballantine" or "Ballantine: The World's Greatest Magician", his vaudeville-style comedy routine involved transparent or incompetent stage magic tricks, which tended to flop and go "hilariously awry" to the wisecracking Ballantine's mock chagrin. He has been credited with creating comedy magic and has influenced comedians and magicians alike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Hart (actor)</span> Canadian actor and magician (born 1961)

Christopher Hart is a Canadian actor and magician whose roles include Thing, the disembodied hand, in the 1991, 1993, and 1998 movies The Addams Family, Addams Family Values, and Addams Family Reunion.

Channing Pollock was an American magician and film actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyril Takayama</span> American magician

Cyril Takayama is an American magician of French, Moroccan and Japanese descent who is perhaps best known for his magic performances around Japan.

Billy McComb was a British-born American magician and comedian. He was one of the United Kingdom's leading magicians in the 1950s and 1960s. He was hired to perform at the International of Magicians in 1962 and stayed at Jim Swoger's house in Pittsburgh, along with his wife and son, for six months before taking up residence in Los Angeles, California in the 1970s. He joined The Magic Castle in Hollywood, his number being 3323.

Alan Robert Wakeling (1926–2004) was an American magician and inventor who is known in the magic world for devising classic illusions and routines used by some of the top performers in the business. Some of his most successful work was done in association with leading television magician Mark Wilson. They worked on the television show The Magic Land of Allakazam, which was sponsored by Kellogg's cereal, and aired on CBS every Saturday from October 1, 1960 then moved to ABC in 1962.

<i>Celebracadabra</i> American TV series or program

Celebracadabra is an American reality television series on VH1 that premiered on April 27, 2008. The series involves celebrities attempting to learn and perform magic. Magician/actor Jonathan Levit serves as the host. On Thursday, June 12, 2008, C. Thomas Howell was named Greatest Celebrity Magician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Amazing Johnathan</span> American comedian and magician (1958–2022)

John Edward Szeles, better known by the stage name The Amazing Johnathan, was an American comedian and magician. His act was mostly composed of hijinks, interaction with one specific audience member, and a few legitimate magic tricks. From 2001 to 2014, he was a year-round headliner in Las Vegas. Self-described as the "Freddy Krueger of Comedy", Szeles performed wearing his ever-present headband, and his shows frequently used gore; for example, pretending to suck on his own hanging eyeball, cutting his wrists, and skewering his own tongue. He was also good friends with fellow performer Criss Angel and helped him perform a variety of illusions, most notably during three guest appearances on Angel's Mindfreak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Bavli</span> Israeli mentalist and illusionist (1971–)

Guy Bavli is an Israeli mentalist, illusionist, actor and lecturer. He is known for being the first Israeli citizen to win an international magic competition in the United States. He owns the entertainment company "Master of the Mind", based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Jason Latimer American magician

Jason Latimer, known by the stage name LATIMER, is an American illusionist. In 2003, he became one of four Americans ever to win the title Grand Prix "Best Overall" at the World Championships of Magic. In 2012, Latimer starred in the six live British television specials on the BBC One's "The Magicians," and won UK competition overall. In 2014, Latimer joined Penn & Teller and Christen Gerhart as a judge on the American magic competition television series Wizard Wars on the Syfy channel. In 2015, Latimer launched the Impossible Science program in San Diego, CA. Currently, Latimer is the curator of Impossible Science for the Fleet Science Center and oversees the Impossible Science Initiative in science centers throughout Southern California. Jason co-hosts Science Channel's series SciJinks with The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki and Mythbusters: The Search's Tamara Robertson. In 2018, Jason joined the likes David Copperfield and David Blaine as one of the few recipients of the prestigious Golden Grolla Award from the Masters of Magic in Saint-Vincent, Italy. In 2018, Jason was the closing speaker of the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., for recognition of Impossible Science and changing education with wonder.

Adam Keith Grace is an American actor, magician, and musician best known as a founding member of the rock/Americana band Truth & Salvage Co. He began his acting career in the 1995 Broadway show Busker Alley at the St. James Theater in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Cervon</span> American magician

Bruce Cervon was an American magician who was best known for his close-up magic, both through performance and invention. He published a series of books and helped to create a permanent record of the magic of Dai Vernon through The Vernon Chronicles, and Bruce Cervon's Castle Notebooks.

References

  1. 1 2 Official Website | http://www.jonathanlevit.com, June 5, 2008
  2. IMDb profile, June 5, 2008