David Williamson (magician)
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David Williamson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1961 (age 64–65) Xenia, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupations | Magician, actor and writer |
| Website | davidwilliamson |
David Williamson (born 1961) is an American professional sleight-of-hand artist, magician, actor, and writer.
David Britland of Genii magazine called him "an exceptional stage performer" and "a magician who changed the way we do magic."[1] He was named Magician of the Year in 2017 by the Academy of the Magical Arts, and was named an Honorary Member of prestigious British association The Magic Circle.[2]
Williamson was born in 1961 in Xenia, Ohio. His father was a farmer and factory worker.[3]
He became interested in magic as a child, studying and learning tricks from Henry Hay's book The Amateur Magician's Handbook and eventually becoming the assistant to a local magician who called himself Quacky the Clown.
Williamson met his future wife, Marsha, in high school by impressing her with a coin trick. They married during college. Williamson was an art major but dropped out, preferring to start a career as a magician. He and his wife have two children.[1]
Career
While still in college and working as a dishwasher while performing in the evenings, Williamson won the 1981 Gold Cups International Award of Excellence in Close-up Performance, commonly regarded as the most prestigious "close-up" award in the International Brotherhood of Magicians competitions.[3]
In 1984, he and his wife moved to Europe, where he performed frequently at conventions in England and elsewhere.
In 1989, he wrote a book about his magic act, Williamson's Wonders, with Richard Kaufman. His comedic style began to earn him a reputation and further bookings, for corporate events and eventually a television special, Champions of Magic. In the 2000s, he began performing regularly for Disney Cruise Line.[1]
He has recorded four instructional videos in magic and sleight-of-hand.
He played the ringmaster in the touring Broadway show Circus 1903, and performed with touring production The Illusionists.[4]
Works
- Williamson's Wonders (written with Richard Kaufman, 1989)
