David Copperfield Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Height, Illusions, Awards, Controversy, Partner

David Copperfield is an American stage magician and illusionist who rose to prominence through a series of groundbreaking television specials and live performances.

Born David Seth Kotkin, he first gained wide public attention in the late 1970s for his seamless blend of storytelling and large‑scale illusions.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, he has performed over 4,000 shows worldwide, setting eleven Guinness World Records and earning recognition as one of the most successful entertainers in history.

Profile

• Full name: David Seth Kotkin
• Date of birth: September 16, 1956
• Age: 69 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Metuchen, New Jersey, United States
• State of origin: New Jersey
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Stage magician; illusionist
• Height: 5 ft 11¾ in (182.2 cm)
• Weight: 161 lbs (73 kg)
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Brown
• Parents: Rebecca Kotkin (née Gispan) and Hyman Kotkin
• Siblings: Only child
• Spouse: Unmarried
• Children: Three
• Relationship status: Partnered with Chloé Gosselin (2006–present)
• Religion: Jewish
• Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
• Net worth: US$1 billion

Early Life and education

David Seth Kotkin was born on September 16, 1956, in Metuchen, New Jersey, to Jewish parents Rebecca and Hyman Kotkin.

His mother was born in Jerusalem and his paternal grandparents emigrated from Ukraine.

A shy only child, he first performed magic at age ten and at twelve became the youngest member ever admitted to the Society of American Magicians.

He attended Metuchen High School, graduating in 1974, before enrolling at New York University on a full scholarship to study theater, though he left to pursue his burgeoning career full‑time.

Personal Life

David Copperfield has been in a long‑term partnership with French fashion model Chloé Gosselin since 2006, and the couple have three children together.

He previously had a public relationship with Claudia Schiffer from 1994 to 1999.

There are no public records of marriage or divorce.

Career

Copperfield’s first major television special aired in 1977, and over the next four decades he produced 17 prime‑time specials for CBS, earning 38 Emmy nominations and 21 wins.

He pioneered large‑scale illusions: he made a Learjet vanish in 1981, levitated over the Grand Canyon in 1984, and vanished the Statue of Liberty in 1983.

His live show residency at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, running since 1996, has attracted millions of spectators and sells out over 500 performances annually.

He has also consulted on Hollywood films such as The Prestige and Now You See Me, co‑producing the latter’s sequel.

Awards

• Emmy Awards: 21 wins from 38 nominations
• Guinness World Records: 11 records for largest illusions and tour milestones
• Hollywood Walk of Fame star: first living illusionist honored
• Chevalier of Arts and Letters (France): first magician recipient
• Living Legend Award (US Library of Congress)
• Magician of the Century and Magician of the Millennium (Society of American Magicians)
• Magician of the Year (Academy of Magical Arts): 1979, 1986
• Ride of Fame induction (New York City, 2015)

Net worth

David Copperfield’s net worth is estimated at approximately US$1 billion, accumulated through live performances, television specials, endorsements, and intellectual property rights to his illusions.

Controversy

In 2007, Lacey L. Carroll accused Copperfield of rape on his private island; a federal investigation closed without charges in 2010 and the subsequent civil suit was dropped.

In 2018 a former model alleged drugging and assault dating to 1988; no charges were filed.

In 2024, documents revealed he exchanged messages with Jeffrey Epstein but his lawyers state he was not a friend nor involved in any wrongdoing.

Social Media

• Instagram: @copperfield
• Twitter/X: @copperfield
• YouTube: DAVID COPPERFIELD

Filmography

• Terror Train (1980) as the Magician
• Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1997) as himself
• Scrubs, episode “My Lucky Day” (2002) as himself
• Oh My God (2009) as himself
• America’s Got Talent (2010) as himself
• The Simpsons, episode “The Great Simpsina” (2011) as himself (voice)
• Wizards of Waverly Place, episode “Harperella” (2011) as himself
• Burt Wonderstone (2013) as himself
• The Amazing Race 24 (2014) as himself
• American Restoration (2014) as himself
• Unity (2015) as narrator
• 7 Days in Hell (2015) as himself

Books

• David Copperfield’s Tales of the Impossible (1996)
• David Copperfield’s Beyond Imagination (1997)
• “This I Believe” series