David Copperfield

March 25, 2009 · 4:25 p.m.

David Copperfield performs at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The following are photos of him over the years.

Magician sues insurance firm: Monday, August 28, 2000; Kim Smith; Magician David Copperfield filed a $4 million lawsuit against Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. Friday because the company has refused to reimburse him for money he spent freeing property held hostage in Russia last year.

David Copperfield switches homes, reflects on career: Monday, August 21, 2000; Kirk Baird; Neil Sedaka once sang "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do." In David Copperfield's case there was little choice.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Copperfield reappears at MGM: Friday, July 21, 2000; Kate Maddox; Like most of the Circus Maximus regulars, magician David Copperfield has had to look elsewhere in Las Vegas for a home for his disappearing act. Copperfield, who for years worked the stage at the soon-to-be-defunct Caesars showroom, would have been out of luck come September when the old stage closes its doors to make room for high-roller villas. But Copperfield isn't going to give up on Vegas, he's just going to move his gig to the MGM.

Copperfield's pacing impeccable at Caesars Palace: Friday, July 2, 1999; Joe Delaney; "The Magic of David Copperfield," appearing in the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus through July 18, is subtitled "U" which stands for "You," the audience. This is the most interactive of Copperfield's annual productions, with the audience involved throughout. One fortunate female, named Portia, flew with David, and 13 members of the audience "disappeared" for the standing-ovation closer.

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David Copperfield

Occupation: Illusionist, producer, writer, magician
Venue: MGM Grand Hollywood Theater since 2000.
Official Web page: www.dcopperfield.com
Birthday: Sept. 16, 1956, Metuchin, N.J.
Birth name: David Seth Kotkin
Years performing: 1974 to present (as David Copperfield).
Las Vegas venues: Caesars Palace, 1985-2000; MGM Grand, 2000-present
Early life: In 1968, began performing at age 12 as "Davino, the Boy Magician," and became the youngest person ever to be admitted to the Society of American Magicians. In 1972, at the age of 16, he was teaching a course in magic at New York University.
Breakthrough: In 1974, during his freshman year at Fordham University, he was cast as the lead in a Chicago musical, "The Magic Man" and took the stage name David Copperfield. Three years later, he starred in "The Magic of ABC Starring David Copperfield." That success led to 17 TV specials, "The Magic of David Copperfield," that have aired 1978-2001 in more than 40 countries.
Top illusions: 1981, made a jet airplane vanish; 1983, made the Statue of Liberty disappear; 1984, levitated across the Grand Canyon; 1986, walked through the Great Wall of China; 1987, escaped from Alcatraz Prison; 1989, escaped from an imploding building; 1990, survived going over Niagra Falls; 1991, made an Orient Express car vanish.
Notable: He has won several Emmy Awards and two "Entertainer of the Year" awards. A wax likeness of him is in Madame Toussaud's in London. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The French government has knighted him. The U.S. Library of Congress named him a "Living Legend" in 2000. Four countries have made postage stamps with his likeness.
Tickets: Vegas.com.