Copperfield, David (1956-…), is an internationally famous American magician . He has amazed audiences with both intimate sleight-of-hand tricks and elaborate illusions using advanced technology. He is especially noted for his spectacular outdoor illusions, such as apparently making the Statue of Liberty disappear, walking through the Great Wall of China, or levitating across the Grand Canyon.
Copperfield was born in Metuchen, New Jersey. His real name was David Kotkin. He took his stage name from the hero of the novel by Charles Dickens . Copperfield began performing magic as a boy. At the age of 12, he became the youngest magician ever inducted into the Society of American Magicians. In 1974, he won the starring role in a stage musical called The Magic Man. About this time, he took his professional name. Although the show was a success, Copperfield decided on a career as a full-time performing magician rather than acting. Since the mid-1970’s, he has performed hundreds of live shows each year throughout the world.
Copperfield starred in a television special in 1977, and he has performed on his own TV specials almost every year since then, winning a number of Emmy Awards . In 1982, Copperfield began Project Magic, which uses magic as therapy for people with mental or physical disabilities. In 1988, he became spokesperson for the United States Organization for Disabled Athletes.
