David Kwong | |
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Born | August 20, 1980 |
Alma mater | Harvard University |
Occupation(s) | Magician, Puzzler, Producer, Public Speaker |
Years active | 2002 – Present |
David Kwong (born 1980) [1] is a magician, puzzle creator, writer, and producer. [2]
Kwong is known for creating illusions and puzzles for film and television and for functioning as a producer and consultant in the field. He produced Deception, ABC's action crime drama about a magician that joins the FBI. [3] Other productions that Kwong has been involved with include Now You See Me (head magic consultant), NBC's Blindspot, The Magnificent Seven, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, and The Imitation Game. [1] [4] [5] Kwong also frequently contributes to the New York Times crossword puzzle along with crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz. [6]
Kwong is a native of Rochester, New York, where both of his parents are professors at the University of Rochester. [1]
Kwong attended Harvard University, where he studied journalism & media in the history department. He wrote his honors thesis on the history of oriental magicians and their impersonators. He graduated in 2002. [2] [7]
Kwong was inspired to pursue professional magic after attending a talk by conjurer Ricky Jay at Harvard University. After graduation, he moved to Hong Kong for two years, where he performed as a magician at cocktail parties. He later moved back to the United States, working in marketing for HBO in New York and later archiving for Ricky Jay in Los Angeles. [2]
Kwong debuted The Enigmatist at The High Line Hotel in New York City on January 4, 2019. [8] Presented by Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers, The Enigmatist is an immersive evening of puzzles, cryptology and illusions. [9] The Enigmatist performed on the West in 2021 at the Geffen Playhouse. [10]
Kwong has given several TED Talks and regularly speaks on the principles of illusion. His main stage TED Talk on magic and puzzles was coordinated with hiding a secret message in The New York Times crossword puzzle. [11] In 2017, he wrote the book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success. [12]
Kwong's first crossword puzzle, a joint construction with his friend Kevan Choset, was published in The New York Times on April 1, 2006. [8] [2]
Kwong debuted his interactive online puzzle show "Inside the Box", hosted on Zoom, for the Geffen Playhouse in 2020. [13]
Kwong, 32