‘Penn & Teller: Fool Us’ is a competition television show where magicians from all over the world appear in front of Penn and Teller, a renowned American magician-comedian duo, perform tricks.
After each performance, if Penn & Teller cannot figure out how a trick was done, the contestant earns a Fool Us trophy (and endless bragging rights, given they’ve managed to fool two of magic’s most innovative minds).
Since first airing in 2011, the show has allowed many entertainers to showcase their talents, build their career, and make it to the top of their game.
Keep reading to learn more about four of the most popular magicians featured on the show – and see what they’ve been up to since.
1. Ryan Hayashi
A Canadian coin magician and mentalist, Ryan Hayashi appeared on season 5 of ‘Penn & Teller: Fool Us’ (2018) and dazzled both the judges and the audience with his award-winning, over-the-top coin matrix act. Given his precision, stage presence, and comedic timing, Ryan’s performance deserves a spot among the best on the show.
Since being featured on the show, Ryan went on to work with the charity “Help for Heroes,” performing alongside magicians Etienne Pradier, Ole Gold, Edward Askham-Spencer, and Steel Johnson.
At the start of 2020, Ryan also announced that he and his son Johnny were in their final four months of training at the MAGICA German National Championships of Magic, a major event in the European magic industry that takes place once every three years.
In April 2021, Ryan made a second appearance on Penn & Teller, teaming up with his son, Johnny.
2. Jeff McBride
Also known as “Magnus,” Jeff McBride is one of the most popular magicians to appear on ‘Penn & Teller: Fool Us’ Season 4.
His act on the competition included elements of kabuki (Japanese theater form). It showcased his sleight of hand skills and his extensive expertise in manipulating small objects.
Following his appearance on the show, Jeff continues to inspire and teach aspiring magicians through his Magic and Mystery School, which BBC named “the world’s most prestigious magic school.”
In 2020, The Society of American Magicians (S.A.M) inducted Jeff McBride into the Magic Hall of Fame, thus officially joining a tiny and exclusive group of magicians to be awarded this distinction.
3. Doc Dixon
Competing in Season 6 of the show, Doc Dixon’s quick talking, funny material, and incredible sleight of hand have earned him the much-coveted Fooler trophy and the admiration of other popular magicians worldwide.
Using three walnut shells and a single green pea, Doc Dixon fools Penn and Teller with deceptive sleight of hand acts that are equally funny and captivating.
Audiences watched in disbelief as Doc turned a seemingly simple shell game into an engaging performance that managed to trick two of the greatest magicians in the world.
After appearing on the show, Doc continued to delight audiences with his amazing skills and stage presence by performing at numerous events across the country.
4. Mahdi Gilbert
Mahdi Gilbert is a professional sleight of hand card magician who competed in Season 3 of ‘Penn & Teller: Fool Us’ (2016). Born without hands and feet, Mahdi Gilbert performed a special version of the card trick Oil and Water and managed to trick Penn and Teller.
To create his illusions, Mahdi Gilbert used a series of unique techniques that he individually developed, making him one of the world’s most resourceful and innovative magicians.
After taking part in the show, the Canadian magician appeared on The Robert Elms Show, the BBC series called The One Show and has recently started his own YouTube channel.
Bring Popular Magicians from Penn & Teller: Fool Us to Your Next Event!
We hope you enjoyed getting to know four top magicians to perform on Penn & Teller. And if you have an event coming up, perhaps learning about these magicians has also helped you get inspired when it comes to picking entertainment for your event.
If that’s the case, count on us to help you book the best magicians. Start browsing through our portfolio now, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (615) 283-0039 if you have any questions.
