Jeff Ezell, recognized as one of the top five magicians in the world by the Academy of Magical Arts for two consecutive years, is a global sensation whose mesmerizing performances have captivated audiences at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, on luxurious cruises, and on stages in Las Vegas. With an impressive resume of high-profile clients, including Tom Cruise, Pamela Anderson, and Drew Carey, Ezell is also a true fighter, having battled cancer five times while solidifying his reputation as Hollywood’s favorite magician.
You were named among the top 5 magicians in the world for two consecutive years. How has this achievement impacted your career and your performance style?
The honest answer is after the first one, my head got big! I thought I was the inventor of sliced bread after that. Ok…maybe not really like that but I felt amazing! THEN, the second nomination came just a year later and I was all like ‘I think my shoes are getting wet because I’m walking on water now’. I was so excited once again and it happened that one of my best friends was also nominated that same year. What I did remember is that when I took that nomination letter to my bank, I remembered word for word what the bank manager said to me. She said, “And who are you?” followed by no sir, this paper has no monetary value. So I decided to arrange my first tour around the country. I was blessed enough to have mostly full rooms at each location with people eager to see a great night of magic. So how did that impact my career and performance? It reminded me that I earned those nominations with the work I put into it. But to grow even more, I couldn’t just stop ‘putting in the work’. So I make sure that every audience gets a full show and that I’m fully present at the e show. They bought a ticket and deserved my best. Whatever I can do to make them feel the same sense of wonder they did when they saw their very first magic trick, that’s my job at that moment. It’s strictly about them in those moments. Not about how well I can guess their card or how I can make something vanish in front of their eyes. During the show, it’s all about how I make them feel and what memories I can create for them.
Your performances at the Magic Castle in Hollywood and in Las Vegas have been acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. What makes these two cities so special to you as an artist?
For me, The Magic Castle in Hollywood has been a home for me to grow as an artist/entertainer for over 25 years. There’s no place else like it with the history it has and the eclectic mix of people that come through there to enjoy magic. Vegas is also amazing but in different ways. Doing 2 shows a night 5 nights a week really gives you that opportunity to develop and tweak things often until you get that rhythm with a particular effect or illusion. It truly is magic being able to watch peoples facial expressions change on from curious looks to absolute amazement with wide eyes and dropping jaws. That’s the real magic for me.
In addition to performing for diverse audiences, you also have an impressive list of famous clients. How do you adapt to the tastes of different audiences, especially renowned celebrities?
The saying is ‘read the room’ or ‘know your audience’…Basically, how I would present something to an adult audience might be a little different than I would present to younger audience. Different tastes and styles apply to everyone…Within a minute, you will know the style of the person you are presenting to. In the end, make them feel good and create smiles.
You’ve performed magic for big names like Tom Cruise, Pamela Anderson, and Harvey Guillen. Is there any memorable moment you can share from one of these interactions?
That’s a great question! Magic has opened so many doors in my career that would not have been in any other profession. Magic has given me access to major celebrities that have a genuine interest in magic. Almost every one of them would tell me how much they enjoyed watching magic as a child or even tried to learn a few tricks to impress friends. The one that stands out to me as a fun memory is Fred Durst, lead singer of Limp Bizkit. I was performing at a New Years Eve party in Bel Air one year and Fred Durst was one of the guests. It turned out that Fred was very knowledgeable about magic and some of the terms used by magicians that you wouldn’t know unless you’ve studied a bit. At the end of my show, Fred and I sat for quite a bit just discussing magic in general. Never in my life would I guess that I would be just sitting and chatting with this massive rock star about magic. Surreal and amazing at the same time.
After two years with a residency in Las Vegas, what are the challenges and rewards of performing regularly in the same location?
I think, in all seriousness, that performing in the same location is more of a reward than anything. You are able to set the stage, music, lights etc in a way that you know will be there as soon as you step on stage. I love traveling and doing my show but imagine a pillow….Everyone enjoys laying on their own pillow when they get home. That’s how I felt about working in the same venue in Vegas. That was my pillow per se.
We know you’ve overcome cancer five times. How have these life experiences shaped your approach to magic and entertainment?
WOW. This one really hits me a bit different. I can’t deny that having been a performer for so long and suddenly knowing it was almost over…I was literally off of the stage or over 3 years and didn’t know if I’d make it back. Don’t get me wrong, I WANTED to get back on stage in my head but my body had different plans. I needed to take the time to take care of myself but a huge part of that self care was more than the chemo and radiation and several surgeries. An even larger part was my mind set and a great Oncologist. It turned out that my Oncologist was also an entertainer so I told him, because he’d understand, that his main job was to get me back on stage. After a lot of treatment, ere I am. I look at things so differently because I enjoy life even more. Smile more. Love more.
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