Steve Dacri - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Stephen "Steve" Robert Dacri (March 22, 1952 – February 11, 2011) was an accomplished sleight-of-hand magician who worked for nearly 30 years at his craft earning him the moniker "The Fastest Hands in the World." He was born in Worcester

Worcester

The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...

, Massachusetts and died on February 11, 2011 from colon cancer, leaving a wife, Jan, and a son, Jesse.
Dacri's interest in magic began at the age of six when his parents gave him a Mandrake the Magician magic set. Within a few years, he was performing magic at family and community gatherings.

“I grew up watching Red Skelton

Red Skelton

Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton was an American comedian who is best known as a top radio and television star from 1937 to 1971. Skelton's show business career began in his teens as a circus clown and went on to vaudeville, Broadway, films, radio, TV, night clubs and casinos, all while pursuing...

, Abbott & Costello, The Three Stooges, The Amazing Ballantine and Jackie Gleason

Jackie Gleason

Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor and musician. He was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy style, especially by his character Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners, a situation-comedy television series. His most noted film roles were as Minnesota Fats in the drama film The...

. I always knew I wanted to be able to entertain people like they did,” Steve wrote.

Dacri's joy in entertaining audiences for the majority of his life was clear to everyone who crossed his path. In a blog post dated March 18, 2010, he wrote,

It is obvious to me that most people have never had the chance to see magic in such a setting, performed without props or special sets. To me, this is the real magic, magic that is created in the hands, using age old methods of sleight of hand and misdirection perfected by masters before me. I was lucky to be tutored and coached by the greatest magicians who ever lived, and I owe my success to them. During the show I try to acknowledge them all and we even show a short film clip of the legendary Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon , aka The Professor, was a Canadian magician. His expert sleight-of-hand technique and extensive knowledge garnered him respect among fellow magicians. His influence was considerable in the magic world, and he was a mentor to numerous famous magicians...

, whom we called the Professor, as a tribute to the remarkable man who had the distinction of being the only man to fool Houdini. Some nights I even perform the same trick that Vernon used to fool Houdini. To keep things fresh, I am constantly changing things, adding new routines and old ones that I haven't done in many years. I do that for myself as much as for the show. Helps keep me sharp and fresh.

Career Appearances

Bellagio
Broadcast Television
Corporate Conventions & Expositions
Cruise Ships
Desert Inn
Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay
Harrah's, Lake Tahoe
Las Vegas Hilton Shimmer Showroom - where he performed his last show in 2010* Magic Castle
MGM Grand
Mirage
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
Riviera
Secret Pagoda Showroom, Caesar's Magical Empire, Caesar's Palace
The Stardust
The Venetian
Wynn
Vegas Video Network Behind the Curtain

Writer & Director Credits, Television & Film

Bounty Hunters
Emergency Call
Magic Notebook

Producer Credits

Lemonade Stand, a YouTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2f4GpoKf_g
Magic Party Show, a Home Video
Magic Secrets, a Home Video
Meet the Players, a Mockumentary http://vimeo.com/user637750/videos/search:steve%20dacri/sort:newest

Interactive Dinner Theatre Productions

All American High School Reunion
Mario & Mary's Wedding
Nathan & Nina's Jewish Italian Wedding starring Wayne Glaser

Broadcast Television Appearances

Candid Camera
Candid Camera
Candid Camera is a hidden camera/practical joke reality television series created and produced by Allen Funt, which initially began on radio as Candid Microphone June 28, 1947...

- 10 appearances
Dick Cavett
Dick Cavett
Richard Alva "Dick" Cavett is a former American television talk show host known for his conversational style and in-depth discussion of issues...
Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
Merv Griffin
Merv Griffin
Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. was an American television host, musician, actor, and media mogul. He began his career as a radio and big band singer who went on to appear in movies and on Broadway. From 1965 to 1986 Griffin hosted his own talk show, The Merv Griffin Show on Group W Broadcasting...

Show
Live With Regis Philbin
Regis Philbin
Regis Francis Xavier Philbin is an American media personality, actor and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows since the 1960s. Philbin is often called "the hardest working man in show business" and holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera...

& Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa is an American actress and television host. Since February 2001, she has served as the co-host of talk show Live with Regis and Kelly, along with Regis Philbin and now solo host of Live! With Kelly...
That's Incredible
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...

Awards

2008 MERLIN Award (the Oscar of the magic world) for 2008 Best Close-up Magician in the World.

Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star

2008 and 2009 International Close-Up Magician of the Year

Celebrity Quotes

"He makes me crazy..." - Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...

“Steve really does have the fastest hands in the world, believe me... he’s fantastic!” – Regis Philbin
Regis Philbin
Regis Francis Xavier Philbin is an American media personality, actor and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows since the 1960s. Philbin is often called "the hardest working man in show business" and holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera...

“Steve is my favorite magician.” – Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...

“I love this guy” – Drew Carey
Drew Carey
Drew Allison Carey is an American actor, singer, comedian, photographer, sports executive, and game show host. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and making a name for himself in stand-up comedy, Carey eventually gained popularity starring on his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, and serving as...

“I’ve never seen anyone better.” – Merv Griffin
Merv Griffin
Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. was an American television host, musician, actor, and media mogul. He began his career as a radio and big band singer who went on to appear in movies and on Broadway. From 1965 to 1986 Griffin hosted his own talk show, The Merv Griffin Show on Group W Broadcasting...

"A remarkable set of hands...you are too good!" - Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...

"David Blaine...move over!" - The Magic Circle, London

"Steve is really a fantastic magician." - Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
Edward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...

"The finest card worker in the business." - Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in over 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama...

Reviews

"Dacri offers a real change of pace…plenty of tricks up his sleeve…small showroom perfect for showcasing sleight of hand… …genuinely perplexing trickery."

"His uncanny magic defies belief and has earned him numerous awards and accolades worldwide. This is a wonderful show filled with tricks, laughs, surprises, audience participation and just plain fun for ages 8-98."

"Steve Dacri, the "Xtreme close-up" magician who was so popular at Caesars Magical Empire—is packing them in these days at The Orleans."

"Steve Dacri…does an altogether different type of magic…pure sleight of hand, rather than the cabinet-style illusions of most Las Vegas stage shows."

"“Steve performs the most mind-blowing magic I have ever seen. It doesn't matter how close you are, you cannot see a thing. Dacri even defies the crowd to "try and catch me". But they never do. He manipulates cards and rings and balls and coins with smooth elegance, and his quick wit keeps you in stitches in between the sleight of hand."

"Wow… masterful performances…a magical treat... What fun this is! Dacri certainly lives up to his billing with dizzying close-up shenanigans that even the "bunny-cam" can't catch, and he does it all in a context of great comfortable fun that plays especially well in this venue."

"...Outstanding! Brilliant! Don’t miss this show, Steve is the best I have ever seen."

"His magic skills are matched by his engaging personality and winning smile. His 30-plus years of experience onstage give him a vast array of one-liners and comebacks to draw from. He is relaxed and totally in control as he fools the crowd over and over. It was the best magic show we had ever seen."

"Xtreme Close-up Magic, focuses sharply on the high-energy sleight of hand skills of Steve Dacri. For a solid hour, he assaults and astounds the senses of the audience..."

""Xtreme Close-Up Magic” is magic like you’ve never seen it performed. Refreshing."

"… only two minutes into his act, it is apparent to the audience that we are watching a true master of magic at work here."

"Brilliant show…a must see for all ages."

"Anyone remember Steve Dacri’s “Magical Mystery Tour” TV series from 1975-1976? Steve is still at it, now fracturing people’s senses with his impressive new show in Las Vegas. It’s a must-see production in a small venue, with magic in your face by the king of close-up magic."

"...the laughter and applause was high for Steve Dacri and his laugh-filled, amazing magic sensational!"

"...a vivacious, comedic magician . . . he wows them every night!"

"...a master magician with a quick wit. Standing ovations!"

"Dacri is a powerhouse. His comedic skills combine with his lightning fast hands...a first class entertainer...highly recommended."

"Steve's a thoroughly entertaining magician with lots of charm. The audience adored him."

"...a multitalented performer with a unique, enjoyable style..."

"Don't miss this guy . . chances are you'll never see a better close-up magic act in your lifetime."

"...a thoroughly enjoyable night, Dacri carried the show with his charm and mindblowing magic skills."

"Steve Dacri started his love affair with magic at the age of six. By the ripe old age of eight, he'd started performing shows and hasn't stopped since."

External links

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