Award-winning stage magician Kevin James was born on April 28, 1962 in France. He competed as one of the top 20 finalists on the NBC reality talent contest America’s Got Talent. James is known for creating a number of unique magical effects, such as the “Floating Rose,” which is also performed by David Copperfield. He has had a long-running career of performing at major venues such as the Crazy Horse in Paris and at the Caesar’s Palace clubs. His reputation grew further after he won the “Parlor Magician of the Year” award from the world-renowned Magic Castle organization and appeared on the CBS television special World’s Greatest Magicians at the Magic Castle.
The son of a U.S. Air Force pilot stationed in Europe, he was raised in the United States after his family relocated back to the town of Jonesville, Michigan. He studied drama at West Michigan University, but dropped out during his third year and moved to Los Angeles, performing at various restaurants to feed himself. He trained with groups such as the Long Beach Mystics and the Magic Castle Juniors, slowly learning their techniques and improving his own craft. However, he was eliminated later on from America’s Got Talent during the semifinal rounds.
(Photo courtesy of NBC)