David Blaine is an American magician, illusionist and endurance artist. He is best known for his high-profile feats of endurance, and has made his name as a performer of street and close-up magic. He has performed all over the world and has set and broken several world records.
On May 19, 1997, Blaine’s first television special, David Blaine: Street Magic aired on then NBC. According to the New York Daily News: “Blaine can lay claim to his own brand of wizardry. The magic he offers in tonight’s show operates on an uncommonly personal level. When asked about his performance style, David explained, “I’d like to bring magic back to the place it used to be 100 years ago. Time magazine commented, “his deceptively low-key, ultracool manner leaves spectators more amazed than if he’d razzle-dazzled. The concept of focusing on spectator reactions changed the way that magic has been shown on television. The New York Times wrote: “He’s taken a craft that’s been around for hundreds of years and done something unique and fresh with it.
Blaine starred in a 90-minute ABC television special, “David Blaine: Real or Magic”, on November 19, 2013. The special was directed by Emmy Award winning director Matthew Akers and featured Blaine performing magic for his favorite celebrities and public figures including Woody Allen, Robert De Niro, George W. Bush, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Harrison Ford, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Ricky Gervais, Woody Harrelson, Stephen Hawking, Lenny Kravitz, Macklemore, Olivia Wilde, Katy Perry, Michael Phelps, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jon Stewart, Psy, Emmy Rossum and Jason Sudeikis.
