The pain is bad magicians ripping off good ones, doing magic badly, and making a mockery of the art. Ricky Jay artbadbadly Change image and share on social
Theft annoys me more than anything else. The purloining of effects from another magician. Some people think it's massive to steal the secrets of nuclear reactors, but to steal a card move is trivial. They're wrong. Ricky Jay annoycardeffect share on social
I'm much more interested in lesser-known eccentrics and characters and performers. Like Matthew Buchinger, who was born in Germany in 1674, had no arms or legs and yet did magic, and had 14 kids, and made the most extraordinary calligraphy. Ricky Jay armbearbuchinger share on social
I started doing radio pieces with no clear, preconceived idea, except that I have a tendency to be theatrical. Ricky Jay clearideapiece Change image and share on social
I suppose that if I could only do one thing, a solid card effect would be pretty high on the list. That's the root of it all, sleight-of-hand. It's certainly the thing I feel most comfortable with. Ricky Jay cardcomfortableeffect Change image and share on social
I grew up like Athena - covered with playing cards instead of armor - and, at the age of seven, materialized on a TV show, doing magic. Ricky Jay agearmorathena Change image and share on social
I've been really lucky in terms of film projects with people, terrific actors and also writers and directors that I really respect. Ricky Jay actordirectorfilm Change image and share on social
I always read what I write out loud, and I did that long before any radio thing. My editor finds that unusual. Ricky Jay editorfindlong Change image and share on social
My father was the Formica King of Long Island, and my mother was the daughter of a Bengal Lancer in India. Ricky Jay bengaldaughterfather Change image and share on social
I think a lot of people just assumed I came to L.A. to do more television and get into show business. Ricky Jay assumebusinesslot Change image and share on social