Magician Spotlight – Incredible Facts About David Copperfield

Slightly Unusual
May 21
3 min read

The Life, Illusions and Legacy of the World's Greatest Magician

When you think of legendary magicians, one name rises above the rest: David Copperfield. With a career spanning five decades, dozens of TV specials and billions of dollars in ticket sales, Copperfield is not just a magician - he’s a cultural icon.

In this edition of our Magician Spotlight series, we take a deep dive into the incredible life and career of David Copperfield - answering the most common questions people ask and highlighting fascinating facts you may not know.

Who Is David Copperfield?

David Copperfield was born David Seth Kotkin on September 16, 1956, in Metuchen, New Jersey. He started performing magic at the age of 10 under the name “Davino the Boy Magician” and became the youngest person ever admitted to the Society of American Magicians.

By age 18, he was teaching magic at New York University. Within a few short years, he became a household name thanks to a string of successful TV specials, where he performed jaw-dropping illusion shows that had never been seen before on screen.

What Is David Copperfield Famous For?

Copperfield is known for redefining large-scale stage illusions and combining storytelling with spectacle. Some of his most famous tricks include:

Making the Statue of Liberty Disappear – In a 1983 live TV special, Copperfield stunned millions by vanishing one of America’s greatest landmarks - one of the greatest magic tricks ever performed.
Walking Through the Great Wall of China – A daring illusion that became one of his signature stunts.
Vanishing a Jet Plane – In front of a live audience, he made a full-size aircraft disappear.
Escaping from Alcatraz – He recreated an impossible escape from the famous island prison.

These illusions weren’t just tricks - they were massive productions that elevated magic to a cinematic experience.

Is David Copperfield Still Performing?

Absolutely. As of today, Copperfield remains one of the busiest live entertainers in the world. His residency in Las Vegas continues to evolve, with new illusions regularly added to his show. Despite his long career, he shows no signs of slowing down.

In fact, his modern performances now include high-tech illusions involving holograms, robotics and storytelling - pushing the boundaries of what magic can be.

What’s in David Copperfield’s Magic Collection?

Copperfield owns the world’s largest private collection of magic memorabilia, stored in a secret location called the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. It holds over 80,000 pieces, including artefacts from Houdini, Robert-Houdin, and other legendary magicians.

The museum is not open to the public, but it’s frequently visited by magic historians, VIP guests and professional magicians.

What Is David Copperfield’s Legacy?

David Copperfield has done more than amaze audiences - he’s shaped the public perception of what magic can be. He’s inspired thousands of magicians worldwide and proven that magic can be art, theatre and emotion, not just a series of tricks.

He’s also used magic for good, creating Project Magic, a programme that uses magic therapy to help patients regain physical and cognitive skills in hospitals across the U.S. and beyond.

Bring the Magic to Your Event with Slightly Unusual

David Copperfield’s illusions may be on the grandest stages in the world - but you can still bring world-class magic to your own event. At Slightly Unusual, our professional magicians deliver mind-blowing magic, hilarious audience interaction and unforgettable entertainment.

Whether you're hosting a corporate party, private event or wedding - we’ve got the perfect performance to wow your guests.