Ended 5-year-old engagement to Claudia Schiffer, explaining that work had got in the way of their relationship. [November 1999] Youngest person ever to be admitted to the Society of American Magicians. At age sixteen, he taught magic at New York University. Started his magician career billed as "Davino, Boy Magician" One of his teachers back in New Jersey school days was ABC News correspondent Judy Muller. 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. He has said he likes roller coasters. His favorite color is black. His favorite movies are Citizen Kane (1941) and The Wizard of Oz (1939). In 1993 David was doing an on-stage illusion in which he weightlessly flew with a lady from the audience in his arms. His flight illusion was considered by experts and historians of magic to be the greatest illusion ever performed on stage. He gave his first performance as a magician in 1968 when he was only 12 years old. He was a Professor of Magic at New York University at only 16 years old. He was a student at Fordham University in New York City in 1974. He was named "Magician of the Year" in 1980 and 1987 by the Academy of Magical Arts. Owns one version of Edgar Bergen's dummy of "Charlie McCarthy". He purchased "Charlie" at an auction for $110,000.
