David Copperfield (illusionist)

David Copperfield (born September 16, 1956 as David Seth Kotkin) is a renowned magician and illusionist best known for his combination of spectacular illusions with storytelling. His most famous feats include making the Statue of Liberty disappear, levitating over the Grand Canyon, and walking through the Great Wall of China.

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September 16 - 1956 - Magician - Statue of Liberty - Grand Canyon - Great Wall of China

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David Copperfield was born in Metuchen New Jersey, to Jewish immigrants from Russia.

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Metuchen - New Jersey - Jewish - Russia

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David began performing magic professionally at the age of 12, and became the youngest person ever admitted to the Society of American Magicians. By age 16, he was teaching a course in magic at New York University.

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Society of American Magicians - New York University

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In 1982, David Copperfield founded Project Magic, a rehabilitation program to help disabled patients regain lost or damaged dexterity skills. The program has been accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, and is in use in over 1,000 hospitals worldwide.

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1982 - Project Magic - American Occupational Therapy Association - Hospital

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Copperfield has also attempted to preserve the history of the art of magic for present and future generations by providing a safe, permanent home for antiquarian props, books, and other historical ephemera related to conjuring. His vast collection, known as the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, is housed in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Forbes Magazine reported that Copperfield earned $57 million in 2003, making him the 10th highest paid celebrity in the world. It also estimated that he made $57 million from June 2004 to June 2005 in merchandise and tour revenue.

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Forbes Magazine - Celebrity

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He was engaged to the supermodel Claudia Schiffer. The couple parted ways in 1999, after a six year relationship.

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Supermodel - Claudia Schiffer - 1999

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