Lol... I think maybe at times we illusionist or magicians give too much applause to those we see as "celebrities" in our industry. For me Copperfield is my favorite... to me he is world famous --- however I just asked my friends and girlfirend if they knew who david Copperfield was... and well none did... interesting. I guess although he is famous he isn;t yet a household name like say Houdini.

YOu'd be surprised how many people in magic don't know who he is. I was talking to a guy at WMS this past year, seemed pretty knowledgeable about magic. Johnny Thompson walked by and I said hi to him. The other magician and convention atendee I was talking to said "who was that?" I said "Johnny Thompson, you know the Great Tomsoni and Company", to which he replied, "who's he and what does he do?" (This guy also never heard of Dai Vernon). So even living legends (and dead ones) often go unknown even in the art.

Interesting....I guess it also depends on how involved you are in the craft...or what field you speciliaze in.

As one magician, said, "Ask anyone to name five well known magicians." You will be amazed even how many magicians that have difficulty with that on.

True, Houdini was a magician but that wasn't what made him famous. It was his escapes. He was an escapeologist. (An extension from his father's business as a locksmith.)

After, Naming Houdini and Cooperfield, they draw a blank.

TV has made David Blaine and Chris Angel some top choices.

Lance Who?

You'd be surprised how many folks under the age of 25 don't know who Houdini is...

This was the same that I was saying about our concern for originality, the newest illusion, or routine.

With so little variety on t.v. you are perhaps the only magician some folks have taken the time to watch, let alone seen live. So to them YOU are the celebrity.
Take this as a responsibility to do your best.

When I do sessions about the history of magic, I sometimes poll the audience. Start with Angel and move through Blaine, Copperfield, Henning, the local celebrity, and end with Houdini. It will amaze you as to how few in the public know any of these folks, with the exception of Houdini. Use this to your advantage and make yourself the "star of magic" in their eyes.

Blair Marshall
"ShaZzam!"

Excellent point Blair!

You may be the only magician a person has really seen in their lifetime. When my son married, his wife had never seen a magician!

Wow... this is all great input -- and when I ponder it for a moment, it makes so much sense.

More people in my area know Clarol the clown over David Copperfield. She is seen by more locals then David. Celebrity is often a regional phenomenon.

Hey Dennis,

So has your son's wife now seen a magicician, who was he???? (LOL just joking!)

BM

Houdini's father was a Rabbi. He might have been a Lox smith but he wasn't a locksmith.

I think that is so true! I am "the magician" in my city... I market myself very well..do publicity stunts and keep my name plastered everywhere in good old TRUMP style