Biography
Ricky Jay (born Richard Jay Potash) was an actor, magician, cardsharp, and film consultant. Ricky's love and deep study of card tricks and deception gained him worldwide fame and respect, and he was often called in to consult for movies and TV shows where deception was a key element of the story. Ricky was an exceptional close-up magician and playing-card handler, but he also acted in movies such as Boogie Nights, Tomorrow Never Dies, and Magnolia, as well as TV shows like the X-Files, HBO's Dea...
Known For
Complete Filmography
Dai Vernon: The Spirit of Magic
2017
as Self
In addition to the insight provided by performers who knew Vernon, including Max Maven, Herb Zarrow, John Carney, Jackie Flosso, Ricky Jay, Steve Free...
The Automatic Hate
2016
as Uncle Josh
When Davis Green's alluring young cousin Alexis appears on his doorstep one night, he discovers that a side of his family has been kept secret from hi...
Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay
2012
as Himself
The life and career of renowned magician and sleight of hand artist Ricky Jay.
Lost Masterpieces of Pornography
2010
as Narrator
This lost masterpiece of pornography was recently discovered in a woodworking shop of a Beverly Hills dentist. June Crenshaw (Kristen Bell) was known ...
The Brothers Bloom
2008
as Narrator (voice)
The Brothers Bloom are the best con men in the world, swindling millionaires with complex scenarios of lust and intrigue. Now they've decided to take ...
Redbelt
2008
as Marty Brown
Is there room for principle in Los Angeles? Mike Terry teaches jujitsu and barely makes ends meet. His Brazilian wife, whose family promotes fights, w...
The Great Buck Howard
2008
as Gil Bellamy
When a law school dropout answers an advertisement to be a personal assistant he unknowingly signs on to work for a belligerent has-been magician stru...
David Mamet on House of Games
2007
as Himself
A documentary filmed on location and behind the scenes during the making of David Mamet's 1987 film HOUSE OF GAMES
Ricky Jay Plays Poker
2007
as Self
This is the companion video to Ricky Jay's selection of poker tunes entitled "Ricky Jay plays poker." It features John C. Riley and other famous peopl...
Ricky Jay Plays Poker
2007
Executive Producer, Writer
This is the companion video to Ricky Jay's selection of poker tunes entitled "Ricky Jay plays poker." It features John C. Riley and other famous peopl...
The Prestige
2006
as Milton
A mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle for supremacy -- full of obsession, deceit and jealousy wit...
Last Days
2005
as Detective
The life and struggles of a notorious rock musician seeping into a pit of loneliness whose everyday life involves friends and family seeking financial...
Incident at Loch Ness
2004
as Self - Party Guest
When renowned director Werner Herzog and fellow filmmaker Zak Penn set off to explore the legend of Scotland's Loch Ness monster, they uncover much mo...
The Making of Last Days
2004
as Himself
Behind-the-scenes documentary of Gus Van Sant's "Last Days."
Heist
2001
as Don 'Pinky' Pincus
Joe Moore has a job he loves. He's a thief. His job goes sour when he gets caught on security camera tape. His fence, Bergman, reneges on the money he...
Heartbreakers
2001
as Dawson's Auctioneer
Max and Page are a brilliant mother/daughter con team who have their grift down to a fine science. Max targets wealthy, willing men and marries them. ...
State and Main
2000
as Jack
A movie crew invades a small town whose residents are all too ready to give up their values for showbiz glitz.
That Moment: Magnolia Diary
2000
as Self
A very in-depth documentary that follows the very over-worked director Paul Thomas Anderson through a gruelling 80+ days of shooting for the film Magn...
Magnolia
1999
as Burt Ramsey / Narrator
On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy geniu...
Mystery Men
1999
as Vic Weems
When Champion City's hero Captain Amazing is kidnapped by the recently paroled supervillain Casanova Frankenstein, a trio of average, everyday superhe...
Tomorrow Never Dies
1997
as Henry Gupta
A deranged media mogul is staging international incidents to pit the world's superpowers against each other. Now James Bond must take on this evil mas...
The Spanish Prisoner
1997
as George Lang
An inventor of a secret process suddenly finds himself alone as both his friends and the corporation he works for turn against him.
Boogie Nights
1997
as Kurt Longjohn
Set in 1977, back when sex was safe, pleasure was a business and business was booming, idealistic porn producer Jack Horner aspires to elevate his cra...
Sink Or Swim
1997
as The Hat
Brian is a television writer-producer who has to script a 22-episode anthology, but lacks inspiration. He witnesses a strange romantic encounter betwe...
Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants
1996
as Self
Sleight of hand magician Ricky Jay blends light comedy and close-up magic to entertain a live audience. He discusses everything from the birth of the ...
Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants
1996
Writer
Sleight of hand magician Ricky Jay blends light comedy and close-up magic to entertain a live audience. He discusses everything from the birth of the ...
Hustlers, Hoaxsters, Pranksters, Jokesters and Ricky Jay
1996
A documentary about the life and work of sleight-of-hand artist Ricky Jay, with appearances by Ricky Jay, David Mamet and Steve Martin.
The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky
1995
as Hawkes
A young ranger in the Montana wilderness discovers the great forces of nature while learning the importance of honor, trust and integrity. Legendary v...
The Water Engine
1992
as Ratty Inventor
In the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously ...
Homicide
1991
as Aaron
A Jewish homicide detective investigates a seemingly minor murder and falls in with a Zionist group as a result.
Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women
1990
Based on Ricky Jay's book of the same title, this TV special was made up of a combination of magic, juggling, amazing feats, stunts and performances, ...
Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women
1990
Writer
Based on Ricky Jay's book of the same title, this TV special was made up of a combination of magic, juggling, amazing feats, stunts and performances, ...
Things Change
1988
as Mr. Silver
Jerry, a misfit Mafia henchman, is assigned the low-level job of keeping an eye on Gino, a shoe repairman fingered by the Mob to confess to a murder h...
House of Games
1987
as George
A psychiatrist comes to the aid of a compulsive gambler and is led by a smooth-talking grifter into the shadowy but compelling world of stings, scams,...
Doug Henning's World of Magic
1976
The December 1976 broadcast of Doug Henning’s World of Magic, hosted by Michael Landon