David Copperfield Net Worth

Publish date: 2024-08-24

David Seth Kotkin net worth is
$800 Million

David Seth Kotkin Wiki Biography

David Seth Kotkin, commonly known as David Copperfield, is a famous American magician, illusionist, as well as an actor. To the public, David Copperfield is perhaps best known for his magic tricks, such as levitating, flying, and making objects disappear, most of which were released in a format of 20 television specials. Copperfield’s first television special entitled “The Magic of ABC” aired on screens in 1977. In addition to including Copperfield’s impressive performance, it featured such famous guests as Shaun Cassidy, Cindy Williams, Adam Rich and Penny Marshall to name a few. His fifth special called “The Magic of David Copperfield IV: The Vanishing Plane” brought him an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Technical Direction”. Overall, David Copperfield has been nominated for 38 awards, and collected a total of 21 Emmy Awards,. Aside from his appearances on television screens, Copperfield has become notable as an owner of the “International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts”. Copperfield is also known for his charitable activities, the most popular being the “Project Magic” program, which focuses on helping physically challenged people. For his contributions to the entertainment industry, David Copperfield was awarded with a Living Legend Award, was named “Magician of the Year” in 1980 and 1987, and even received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

David Copperfield Net Worth $800 Million

A well-known magician, how rich is David Copperfield? According to sources, David Copperfield’s net worth is estimated to be $800 million, the majority of which he has accumulated from his appearances on television screens.

David Copperfield was born in 1956, in New Jersey, United States, where he studied at Metuchen High School. Copperfield’s interest in magic brought him to the “Society of American Magicians”, a fraternal magic organization, when he was only ten years old. As a result of his studies, Copperfield became proficient in magic, and even taught a course about magic at New York University at the age of 16. Upon his graduation from high school, David Copperfield decided to continue his education at Fordham University. He failed to graduate from the university, since instead of studying he chose to perform on stage. One of his very first performances was in “The Magic Man”. Around the same time, inspired by the Charles Dickens’ novel, he changed his name from David Seth Kotkin to David Copperfield. Soon after meeting Joseph Cates, who expressed interest in his talents, he made an appearance on television with “The Magic of ABC”,

In addition to having his own television specials, Copperfield made an acting debut in a slasher film, starring Ben Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis and Hart Bochner called “Terror Train”. Since his popularity started growing, Copperfield has become a welcomed figure in the entertainment industry. Over the years, he has succeeded in selling more than 40 million tickets to his shows.

In regards to his personal life, David Copperfield married Claudia Schiffer in 1993, yet the couple split up in 1999. Several years after their divorce, Copperfield met Chloe Gosselin, whom he married in 2006.


Net Worth$800 Million
Date Of BirthSeptember 16, 1956
Place Of BirthMetuchen, New Jersey, United States
Height5 ft 11 in (1.82 m)
ProfessionMagician, actor, illusionist
EducationMetuchen High School, New York University, Fordham University
NationalityAmerican
SpouseChloe Gosselin (2006–), Claudia Schiffer (1994–1999)
ChildrenSky Copperfield
ParentsRebecca Kotkin, Hyman Kotkin
PartnerChloe Gosselin, Chloe Gosselin
NicknamesDavid Seth Kotkin , David Kotkin , Seth Kotkin
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/davidcopperfield
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/D_Copperfield
IMDBwww.imdb.com/name/nm0004518
AwardsEmmy Award for “Outstanding Technical Direction”, Hollywood Walk of Fame
Nominations11 Guinness World Records, Living Legend by the US Library of Congress, “Magician of the Year” (1980, 1987)
Movies“Terror Train” (1980), "The Magic Of David Copperfield XVI: Unexplained Forces", "David Copperfield: Illusion" (1994)
TV Shows“The Magic of ABC”, “The Magic of David Copperfield IV: The Vanishing Plane”, “Project Magic”
#Quote
1Each five-minute piece you now see in my show takes two years from idea to execution. That is why - when someone steals my creations - it's very difficult to deal with.
2(on working with Claudia Schiffer in his magic shows) I really love having Claudia with me in my shows. She's a great performer and a real natural with the illusions. And she's really trusting too - It's not every woman who'll trust someone like me enough to let me strap her to a guillotine and chop her head off. But the best thing about having her in my shows is that I can say that I spend my evenings sawing the most beautiful woman in the world in half.
#Fact
1He was nominated for the 2016 New Jersey Hall of Fame in the Performance Arts category.
2On January 9th, 2003, it was opened www.copperfield.ru, a Russian site with the explicit intention to reveal the largest possible number of tricks performed by David Copperfield, with the justification: "Copperfield deceives the spectators, and we only open your eyes on the truth". Site authors (a team of magicians, designers and engineers lead by Timur Abdulov) worked for more than 5 years, documenting and analyzing the illusions of Copperfield. The illusions revealed (in Russian and English) were dozens, minutely described and also accompanied by screenshots, images and some animation created by computer. Many of these illusions were never revealed before by anyone, remaining for years shrouded in mystery. The authors also published recording of the call made by Copperfield himself, who expressed his disagreement with the opening of a site so vast, which however has been deleted from the World Wide Web in 2005-2006.
3In April 2010 he appeared at the Hollywood Theater, at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
4Copperfield performs over 550 live shows every year since 1983. This is the list: The Magic of David Copperfield: Live on Stage (from 1983 to 1986) The Magic of David Copperfield (from 1987 to 1990) David Copperfield: Radical New Illusions (from 1991 to 1992) David Copperfield: Magic for the 90's (from 1992 to 1994) David Copperfield: Beyond Imagination (aka The Best of David Copperfield) (from 1995 to 1996) David Copperfield: Dreams and Nightmares (aka Magic is Back) (from 1996 to 1998) David Copperfield: Journey of a Lifetime (aka U!) (from 1999 to 2000) David Copperfield: Unknown Dimension (aka Global Encounter) (from 2000 to 2001) David Copperfield: Portal (from 2001 to 2002) David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion (aka World of Wonders) (from 2003).
5Actor Robert Hegyes was born in Perth Amboy but raised in nearby Metuchen, New Jersey, the hometown of Copperfield.
6He is fan of Carl Ballantine, that also performed in his first official TV special The Magic of David Copperfield (1978).
7Owns the buzz saw version of the "sawing a woman in half" illusion that used to belong to Orson Welles. Welles used to saw Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe in half. Copperfield maintains the illusion in full working order, and has occasionally used it to saw in half various celebrity assistants including Claudia Schiffer, Penélope Cruz and Cat Deeley.
8In 1993, David did an on-stage illusion in which he weightlessly flew with a lady from the audience in his arms. His flight illusion was considered by many experts and historians of magic to be the greatest illusion ever performed on stage.
9His favorite movies are Citizen Kane (1941) and The Wizard of Oz (1939). In The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari (1980), during the "Record Album Prediction" illusion he tells the audience that Dumbo (1941) was his favorite movie when he was a kid.
10He has said he likes roller coasters.
11Has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) where he presented his collection of turn-of-the-century prank devices. One, a paddle that when used to spank someone exploded powder, was used incorrectly by host O'Brien. Copperfield's pants (and behind) caught on fire, an accident from which he still carries a scar.
12One of his schoolteachers New Jersey school days was ABC News correspondent Judy Muller.
13In 1993 he met supermodel Claudia Schiffer at a Berlin celebrity gala, and in January 1994 they became engaged. During this engagement, she sometimes used to appear in his stage shows as a special guest assistant in a number of illusions: first he would levitate her high in the air before making her vanish and reappear, then he would use a large guillotine to behead her. Finally, he would saw her in half inside a glass-sided box in what has sometimes been voted by other magicians as one of the most baffling versions of the sawing in half ever performed. Claudia also appeared in David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic (1994), a documentary in which she played the role of a reporter interviewing Copperfield in his Magic Warehouse. After a six-year engagement, in September 1999 they announced their separation.

All pictures

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Copperfield: Tornado of Fire2001TV Special
David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic1994TV Special documentary
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion1993TV Movie as David Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XIV: Flying - Live the Dream1992TV Movie as David Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery on the Orient Express1991TV Movie as David Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XII: The Niagara Falls Challenge1990TV Movie as David Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XI: The Explosive Encounter1989TV Movie as David Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield 10: The Bermuda Triangle1988TV Movie
The Magic of David Copperfield IX: The Escape from Alcatraz1987TV Movie
The Magic of David Copperfield: China1986TV Movie
The Magic of David Copperfield VI: Floating Over the Grand Canyon1984TV Movie
The Magic of David Copperfield V1983TV Movie

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Now You See Me 22016co-producer
Copperfield: Tornado of Fire2001TV Special executive producer
The Magic of David Copperfield XVI: Unexplained Forces1995TV Movie executive producer
David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic1994TV Special documentary executive producer / producer
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion1993TV Movie executive producer
The Magic of David Copperfield 10: The Bermuda Triangle1988TV Movie executive producer
The Magic of David Copperfield IX: The Escape from Alcatraz1987TV Movie producer
Magic with the Stars1982TV Movie producer
The Magic of David Copperfield IV: The Vanishing Airplane1981TV Movie producer

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic1994TV Special documentary as Seth Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion1993TV Movie as Seth Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XIV: Flying - Live the Dream1992TV Movie as Seth Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery on the Orient Express1991TV Movie as Seth Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XII: The Niagara Falls Challenge1990TV Movie as Seth Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield XI: The Explosive Encounter1989TV Movie as Seth Kotkin
The Magic of David Copperfield IV: The Vanishing Airplane1981TV Movie
The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari1980TV Movie
The Magic of David Copperfield II1979TV Movie

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Simpsons2015TV SeriesDavid Copperfield
7 Days in Hell2015TV MovieDavid Copperfield
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone2013David Copperfield
Scrubs2002TV SeriesDavid Copperfield
Michael Jackson: Liberian Girl1989Video shortDavid Copperfield (uncredited)
Terror Train1980The Magician

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Now You See Me2013/Imagic inspired by
The Costumes Are the Sets: The Design of Eiko Ishioka2007Video documentary short images
Heroes of Magic2000TV Special documentary archive material courtesy of
Terror Train1980illusion creator

Editor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Copperfield: Tornado of Fire2001TV Special as David Kotkin

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Prestige2006the producers wish to thank
Rudy Coby: Ridiculously Dangerous1996TV Special special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Dinah!1979-1980TV SeriesHimself - Magician
The Magic of David Copperfield II1979TV MovieHimself / Jewel Thief / Detective
The Mike Douglas Show1978-1979TV SeriesHimself - Magician
The Magic of David Copperfield1978TV SpecialHimself
The Magic of ABC1977TV SpecialHimself - Conductor
Magic at the Roxy1976TV SpecialHimself
Last of the Showmen2017Documentary filmingHimself
The Imagineering Story2016Documentary filming
Brother vs. Brother2016TV SeriesHimself
Good Morning America2015TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Unity2015DocumentaryNarrator (voice)
2015 Billboard Music Awards2015TV SpecialHimself
The Daily Show2015TV SeriesHimself
American Restoration2014TV SeriesHimself (2014)
The Amazing Race2014TV SeriesHimself
Entertainment Tonight2014TV SeriesHimself - Magician
Perspectives2014TV Series documentaryHimself - Magician
The Crazy Ones2014TV SeriesHimself
History Specials2013TV SeriesHimself - Illutionist
The Next Iron Chef2012TV SeriesHimself
Oprah's Next Chapter2012TV SeriesHimself - Magician
Wizards of Waverly Place2011TV SeriesHimself
Test Your Brain2011TV Series documentaryHimself - magician
Brain Games2011TV Series documentaryHimself - Magician
The Colbert Report2011TV SeriesHimself - Guest
A Message from David Copperfield2011ShortHimself
Private Islands2011TV SeriesHimself
The Simpsons2011TV SeriesHimself
Live with Kelly and Michael2010TV SeriesHimself
The 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards2010TV SpecialHimself
Oh My God2009DocumentaryHimself
The 7PM Project2009TV SeriesHimself
44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards2009TV SpecialHimself
Larry King Live2007TV SeriesHimself
Feste der Volksmusik2006TV SeriesHimself
Canada A.M.2006TV SeriesHimself
Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery2005TV Movie documentaryHimself
Go' aften Danmark2005TV SeriesHimself
Guinness World Records - Die größten Weltrekorde2005TV SeriesHimself
Getaway2005TV SeriesHimself
Ruben & Joonas2004TV SeriesHimself
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show2004TV SeriesHimself
The Tony Danza Show2004TV SeriesHimself
World Music Awards 20042004TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Penn & Teller: Bullshit!2004TV Series documentaryHimself
Otro rollo con: Adal Ramones2004TV SeriesHimself
Pulse2004TV Series documentaryHimself
CBS at 752003TV Special documentaryHimself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien1995-2003TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1994-2002TV SeriesHimself
50 Greatest Magic Tricks2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
Copperfield: Tornado of Fire2001TV SpecialHimself
Saturday Night Live2001TV SeriesHimself
Wetten, dass..?2001TV SeriesHimself
Mundo VIP2000TV SeriesHimself
David Copperfield: The Great Escapes2000TV Special documentaryHimself
HermanSIC2000TV SeriesHimself
The Panel1999TV SeriesHimself
Get Bruce1999DocumentaryHimself
Caiga quien caiga1997-1998TV SeriesHimself
Sabor a tí1998TV SeriesHimself
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies: America's Greatest Movies1998TV Special documentaryHimself
CBS: The First 50 Years1998TV Movie documentaryHimself
Biography1998TV Series documentary
Michael Jackson: HIStory on Film - Volume II1997Video documentaryHimself (segment "Liberian Girl")
An Audience with Elton John1997TV SpecialHimself (uncredited)
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood1997TV SeriesHimself
Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life1997TV SpecialHimself
Late Show with David Letterman1994-1996TV SeriesHimself
Very Important Pennis1996TV SeriesHimself
The Oprah Winfrey Show1996TV SeriesHimself - Magician
The 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards1996TV SpecialHimself - Audience Member
Pebble Mill at One1983-1996TV SeriesHimself
Belly Talkers1996DocumentaryHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield XVI: Unexplained Forces1995TV MovieHimself
Oscars 19951995TV MovieHimself
Ready to Wear1994Himself (uncredited)
Buona Domenica1994TV SeriesHimself - Magician
La grande magia di David Copperfield1994TV Movie documentaryHimself
Schmidteinander1994TV SeriesHimself
David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic1994TV Special documentaryHimself
When Stars Were Kids1994TV MovieHimself
01371993TV SeriesHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion1993TV MovieHimself
CBS This Morning1993TV SeriesHimself
The Arsenio Hall Show1989-1993TV SeriesHimself - Magician
The Magic of David Copperfield XIV: Flying - Live the Dream1992TV MovieHimself
One on One with John Tesh1992TV SeriesHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery on the Orient Express1991TV MovieHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield XII: The Niagara Falls Challenge1990TV MovieHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield XI: The Explosive Encounter1989TV MovieHimself
The Pat Sajak Show1989TV SeriesHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield 10: The Bermuda Triangle1988TV MovieHimself
All Star Gala at Ford's Theatre1987TV MovieHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield IX: The Escape from Alcatraz1987TV MovieHimself
The Late Show1987TV SeriesHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield: China1986TV MovieHimself
Solid Gold1985TV SeriesHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield VII: Familiares1985TV MovieHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield VI: Floating Over the Grand Canyon1984TV MovieHimself
A Christmas Dream1984TV MovieHimself
Grandpa, Will You Run with Me?1983TV MovieHimself
The President's Command Performance1983TV MovieHimself
The Magic of David Copperfield V1983TV MovieHimself
The Regis Philbin Show1982TV SeriesHimself
Magic with the Stars1982TV MovieHimself
Lena1982TV SeriesHimself
The John Davidson Show1980-1981TV SeriesHimself - Magician
The Magic of David Copperfield IV: The Vanishing Airplane1981TV MovieHimself
Dance Fever1981TV SeriesHimself
All-Star Salute to Mother's Day1981TV SpecialHimself
Marie1981TV SeriesHimself
The Merv Griffin Show1977-1980TV SeriesHimself - Magician
The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari1980TV MovieHimself / James Bondage
The Big Show1980TV SeriesHimself - Magician

Archive Footage

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1995Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameLive PerformanceAwarded on April 25, 1995 at 7021 Hollywood Blvd.

Known for movies


ncG1vNJzZmimlanEsL7Toaeoq6RjvLOzjp2Yr6GUYrCwvM%2BeqZ%2BhlaGxbrrErWSwp6KptXA%3D