# David Copperfield

> American illusionist

**Wikidata**: [Q139637](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139637)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Copperfield_(illusionist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/david-copperfield

## Summary

David Copperfield (born David Seth Kotkin on September 16, 1956) is an American illusionist, actor, writer, and hypnotist widely regarded as one of the most influential magicians in history. He is best known for his groundbreaking stage illusions, including his famous flying illusion, and has performed for millions worldwide through his television specials and live shows. Copperfield has received numerous prestigious awards, including being named a Library of Congress Living Legend, and has been awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.

## Biography

- **Born**: September 16, 1956 (birth name: David Seth Kotkin)
- **Nationality**: American (United States)
- **Education**: Attended Fordham University (private research university in New York City, founded 1841); Attended New York University (private university in New York City, founded 1831)
- **Known for**: Pioneering large-scale stage magic illusions, performing for global audiences via television and live shows, creating the famous flying illusion
- **Employer(s)**: [Employer Q49210 - name not specified in source]
- **Field(s)**: Illusionism, magic, street magic, stage performance, acting, writing, hypnosis

## Contributions

David Copperfield has made significant contributions to the field of magic and illusion throughout his career, which began in 1974. Some of his most notable contributions include:

- **The Flying Illusion**: Created and performed the iconic levitation illusion that became one of his signature tricks, widely recognized as "David Copperfield's flying illusion"
- **Television Specials**: Produced numerous television magic specials that reached millions of viewers globally, helping to popularize magic as a mainstream entertainment form
- **Street Magic**: Performed and popularized street magic as a genre, bringing magic to informal, intimate settings
- **Integration of Storytelling**: Combined elaborate narratives with his illusions, creating immersive theatrical experiences that elevated the art form beyond simple trickery
- **Career Longevity**: Maintained a successful career spanning multiple decades since 1974, becoming one of the most recognizable magicians worldwide

## FAQs

**What is David Copperfield's real name?**
David Copperfield's birth name is David Seth Kotkin.

**What awards has David Copperfield received?**
David Copperfield has received several prestigious awards, including the Library of Congress Living Legend award for creative contributions to American life, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (the first and lowest rank of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

**Where did David Copperfield attend college?**
David Copperfield attended Fordham University and New York University, both private research universities located in New York City.

**What type of magician is David Copperfield?**
David Copperfield is primarily an illusionist, specializing in large-scale stage magic illusions. He is also known as a street magician, hypnotist, and performer of close-up magic.

**What is David Copperfield's most famous illusion?**
David Copperfield's most famous illusion is his flying illusion, also known as "David Copperfield's flying illusion," which allows him to appear to levitate and fly across the stage.

**When did David Copperfield start his career?**
David Copperfield began his professional magic career in 1974.

**What other professions has David Copperfield pursued?**
Beyond magic, David Copperfield has worked as a writer, film actor, television actor, hypnotist, and stunt performer.

## Why They Matter

David Copperfield matters as a transformative figure in the world of magic and entertainment. He revolutionized the art of illusion by combining theatrical storytelling with groundbreaking technical innovations, elevating magic from simple trickery to a sophisticated form of theatrical performance. His television specials introduced magic to mainstream audiences worldwide, creating a new model for how magicians could reach mass audiences beyond live theater venues.

Copperfield's influence extends beyond his own performances; he helped establish the template for modern stage magic that many contemporary magicians follow. His creative approach to illusion design, particularly with the flying illusion, pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in live performance. By achieving widespread fame and critical recognition, including being named a Library of Congress Living Legend, he demonstrated that magic could be considered a legitimate form of artistic expression worthy of cultural institution recognition.

His dual career as both a stage magician and a film/television actor demonstrated the versatility of his talents and helped bridge different entertainment mediums. The Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres award from France recognized his contributions as an artist whose work transcends national boundaries and contributes to global cultural heritage.

## Notable For

- **Library of Congress Living Legend** — Awarded for creative contributions to American life
- **Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres** — Awarded by the French government (first rank of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres)
- **Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame** — Awarded in Hollywood, California, United States
- **Signature Flying Illusion** — Creator of one of the most iconic magic illusions in history
- **Career Span** — Performing professionally since 1974, making him one of the longest-running successful magicians
- **Multi-disciplinary Artist** — Working as illusionist, writer, film actor, television actor, hypnotist, and stunt performer
- **Street Magic Pioneer** — Helped popularize the street magic genre
- **Global Recognition** — Performed for millions worldwide through television specials and live shows

## Body

### Early Life and Education

David Copperfield was born David Seth Kotkin on September 16, 1956. He pursued higher education at Fordham University, a private research university in New York City founded in 1841, and subsequently attended New York University, another prestigious private university in New York City established in 1831. These educational foundations in New York City placed him in the heart of American entertainment and provided him with resources that would support his future career in magic and performance.

### Career Beginnings and Professional Development

Copperfield began his professional career in magic in 1974, marking the start of what would become one of the most successful and enduring careers in the history of illusionism. His work period starting in 1974 indicates that he launched his professional career as a young adult, quickly establishing himself in the competitive world of magic and entertainment.

### Professional Roles and Occupations

David Copperfield's career encompasses multiple professional roles, reflecting his diverse talents and ambitions. He is primarily identified as an illusionist—an artist who masters illusion, which includes stage magicians among other practitioners. Additionally, he has worked as a writer, using written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. In the acting realm, he has performed as a film actor (appearing in films), a television actor (performing on television), and a general actor working in dramatic or comic productions across film, television, theatre, and radio.

Copperfield has also practiced hypnosis as a hypnotist, and performed stunts as a stunt performer. This diverse skill set has allowed him to create comprehensive entertainment experiences that integrate multiple performance disciplines into his magic shows.

### Signature Illusions and Performance Style

One of Copperfield's most significant contributions to magic is his flying illusion, formally known as "David Copperfield's flying illusion." This levitation illusion became his signature performance piece and has been widely recognized as one of the most impressive and influential magic tricks ever performed. The illusion involves Copperfield appearing to fly across the stage, defying gravity in ways that captivate audiences.

Beyond the flying illusion, Copperfield has performed street magic—a genre of magic performance that involves performing illusions in informal, public, or close-up settings. This approach brought magic out of theater venues and into everyday environments, creating more intimate and surprising experiences for spectators.

### Television and Film Presence

Copperfield has extended his reach beyond live stage performances into television and film. As a film actor, he has appeared in films, bringing his theatrical presence to cinematic productions. As a television actor, he has performed on television, reaching broader audiences through broadcast media. His television specials became a hallmark of his career, allowing him to showcase his illusions to millions of viewers in the comfort of their homes.

### Recognition and Awards

David Copperfield has received numerous forms of recognition for his contributions to entertainment and art. The Library of Congress Living Legend award recognized his creative contributions to American life, signifying his impact as a cultural figure whose work has shaped American entertainment. The French government awarded him the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, the first and lowest rank of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, acknowledging his artistic contributions that have international significance.

He has also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located in Hollywood, California, United States—a recognition that places him among the most influential figures in entertainment history.

### Institutional Affiliations

Copperfield's educational background connects him to two prestigious New York City institutions: Fordham University (founded 1841) and New York University (founded 1831). These affiliations reflect his roots in the New York area and suggest the educational foundation that supported his development as an entertainer and artist.

### Digital and Cultural Presence

Copperfield maintains an online presence through his official website at http://www.davidcopperfield.com. His Wikipedia article title is "David Copperfield (illusionist)," and he has a significant digital footprint with various identifiers across multiple platforms and databases, indicating his status as a well-documented public figure.

### Legacy and Influence

David Copperfield's influence on the world of magic and entertainment is substantial. He helped transform magic from a collection of tricks into a sophisticated theatrical art form that combines narrative, technical innovation, and performance skill. His approach to creating illusions—integrating storytelling, spectacle, and emotional engagement—has influenced generations of magicians who followed.

His success demonstrated that magic could achieve mainstream cultural recognition and commercial viability on a large scale. By creating television specials that reached mass audiences, he expanded the potential reach of magic beyond live theater venues and established new models for magic entertainment in the modern era.

The combination of his multiple talents—as illusionist, writer, actor, and performer—created a holistic approach to entertainment that set new standards for what a magician could achieve. His recognition by both American institutions (Library of Congress, Hollywood Walk of Fame) and international bodies (French government) underscores the breadth of his impact on global entertainment culture.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. [Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov/about/awards-and-honors/living-legends/david-copperfield/)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. MusicBrainz
5. SNAC
6. Internet Broadway Database
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
9. The Fine Art Archive
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. [Source](https://www.handelsblatt.com/arts_und_style/aus-aller-welt/forbes-prognose-auf-dem-sprung-zu-den-reichsten-der-reichen/v_detail_tab_print/8933674.html)
12. The Movie Database
13. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
14. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
15. performing-arts.ch