Jay, Ricky

views updated

JAY, Ricky

JAY, Ricky. American, b. 1949?. Genres: Social work, History, Trivia/Facts. Career: Illusionist, performer, magic historian, consultant, actor, and writer. Worked as a sideshow barker, sideshow magician, accountant, and encyclopedia salesman; lecturer in the United States and abroad. Actor. Publications: Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women: Unique, Eccentric, and Amazing Entertainers: Stone Eaters, Mind Readers, Poison Resisters, Daredevils, Singing Mice, etc., etc., etc., etc., 1986; Cards as Weapons, 1977; Many Mysteries Unraveled, or, Conjuring Literature in America, 1786-1874, 1990; Ricky Jay and His Fifty-two Assistants (show), 1994; The Magic Magic Book: An Inquiry into the Venerable History and Operation of the Oldest Trick-Conjuring Volumes, 1998; Jay's Journal of Anomalies: Conjurers, Cheats, Hustlers, Hoaxsters, Pranksters, Jokesters, Imposters, Pretenders, Sideshow Showmen, Armless Calligraphers, Mechanical Marvels, Popular Entertainments (originally published in Jay's Journal of Anomalies), 2001; Ricky Jay: On the Stem, (show), 2002. Contributor to books. Address: Dailey Booksellers, 8216 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, U.S.A.