Jason Alexander is an actor and director who is best known for playing George Costanza on Seinfeld. He also had parts in Pretty Woman, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and many other productions.
How did you catch the magic bug? I was 5 or 6 years old, growing up in Jersey, mostly as a latchkey kid. I was an easy target for the bullies and I was a nervous, introverted guy. My memory is that I saw Mark Wilson and his family, including his young teen son, performing on Ed Sullivan. I was watching a kid do magic and seeming so together and confident and yes, powerful. And I thought, “Maybe I could be someone like that.” And the next day I found an easy magic book in the library and the rest just fell into place.
Favorite trick you like to watch? I love great, skilled sleight of hand anytime. But I love magic mixed with storytelling. Illusions that have a premise. I get very emotionally involved. Great example: Copperfield’s Snowstorm where he reminisces about snow as a kid and then creates a blizzard in the theater. The topper, he transforms into a young boy, reveling in the flakes. First time I saw it, I was wiping away tears.
Favorite trick you like to perform? I became pretty fond of the Coin in Which Hand bit I did in my act at The Magic Castle. It had a great story, it had wonderful scripting (if I say so myself) with real facts, and it built beautifully. It’s a pretty good stand-alone trick for my Q&A act when the subject of magic comes up. And it fits my personality as an actor very well.