He appeared in several David Mamet movies, including "House of Games," "The Spanish Prisoner," "Things Change," "Redbelt" and "State and Main."
In the 1997 James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies," Jay played a cyber-terrorist to Pierce Brosnan's Bond.
With Weber, he created the Deceptive Practices company, which provided solutions to movies and TV productions such as the wheelchair that hid Gary Sinise's legs in "Forrest Gump." They also worked on films including "The Prestige," "The Illusionist" and "Oceans Thirteen."
A New Yorker profile called him "the most gifted sleight of hand artist alive," and Jay was also known for his card tricks and memory feats.
He also provided the narration for movies such as Paul Thomas Anderson's "Magnolia." His one-man Broadway show directed by Mamet, "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants," was recorded for an HBO special in 1996.
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A documentary about his life, "Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay," was released in 2012.
In "Deadwood," he played card sharp Eddie Sawyer during the first season, and also wrote for the show.
He’s expertly able to perform and yet he knows the theory, history, literature of the field." Steve Martin, with whom he appeared in "The Spanish Prisoner," described Jay in the New Yorker profile, “I sort of think of Ricky as the intellectual élite of magicians.
Jay's manager, Winston Simone, said he died of natural causes, adding, "He was one of a kind. We will never see the likes of him again."
Ricky Jay, a master magician who also acted in films and TV shows such as "Boogie Nights," "House of Games" and "Deadwood," died Saturday in Los Angeles. He was 72.
A student of all facets of magic, prestidigitation and trickery, he maintained a large library of historic works and wrote two books, as well as numerous articles for the New Yorker; he also frequently lectured at museums and universities.
Jay first worked in film with on Caleb Deschanel's "The Escape Artist." Jay, who was born Richard Jay Potash in Brooklyn, was introduced to magic by his grandfather. He began performing in New York, opening for rock bands.
His partner in the Deceptive Practices company, Michael Weber, tweeted, "I am sorry to share that my remarkable friend, teacher, collaborator and co-conspirator is gone." His attorney Stan Coleman confirmed his death.
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Its safe to say it would not be the same scene without him." "Mission Impossible" director Christopher McQuarrie expressed appreciation for Jay's input as a consultant on "Rogue Nation": "An off-handed comment he made inspired the climax of the opera sequence.
See more reactions below.
Injured my rotator cuff trying to throw cards like Ricky Jay. An astonishing performer. A writer of uncommon wit and erudition. pic.twitter.com/u4kyWkKlXI
— Michael Green 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@andmichaelgreen) November 25, 2018
Michael McKean called him "one of a kind."
Awful news about Ricky Jay. One of a kind and now there's none. RIP, Ricky. #irreplaceable
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) November 25, 2018
Master magician Ricky Jay, who had several ties to Hollywood from both his appearances in films and TV and his company Deceptive Practices, died Saturday in Los Angeles at 72.
I watch Ricky Jay videos when I’m fighting a panic attack and/or can’t fall asleep at night. Seeing the natural confidence that can only come from a complete understanding of an art form and its history immediately puts me at ease. He was a giant. https://t.co/JRvTLGemvJ
— Griffin Newman (@GriffLightning) November 25, 2018
R.I.P. my dear friend Ricky Jay. The world has truly lost a little of its magic today.
— Joe Mantegna (@JoeMantegna) November 25, 2018
Ricky Jay was truly peerless, both in his knowledge of his craft and his execution of it. We wrote "The Amazing Maleeni" expressly for him, fans eager to share his sleight of hand with @TheXFiles audience. He was the definition of the word “master." pic.twitter.com/0yOnOp4RTV
— Frank Spotnitz (@FrankSpotnitz) November 25, 2018
Ricky Jay was a hero of mine. And when I met him, got to know him, work with him twice, his kindness, professionalism, sense of humor, brilliance, made him even more of a hero. He was one of the greatest entertainers of our lifetime. And a true genius. #RipRickyJay https://t.co/U3R5uprXG5
— Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) November 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/1066626855812374528″ />
My friend Ricky Jay is gone." Filmmaker Errol Morris simply wrote, "Oh no.
.@TheSimpsons with love & admiration for Ricky Jay a truly great magician vanished in the middle of a Saturday night pic.twitter.com/lgOiLWBb3X
— Al Jean (@AlJean) November 25, 2018
Neil Patrick Harris lauded Jay's skill: "The breadth of his knowledge and appreciation for magic and the allied arts was truly remarkable. Such sad news, such a profound loss."
"Criminal Minds" star Joe Mantegna tweeted that "the world has truly lost a little of its magic today."
Just learned we lost Ricky Jay today, my friend and neighbor for 30 years. A irreplaceable world of arcane history, theatrical passion, and his particular, singular performing genius passes with him. RIP buddy. #rickyjay
— Mark Frost (@mfrost11) November 25, 2018
I will miss you, xo, your pal, Louis." "Rest In Peace, Ricky Jay," wrote "Veep's" Julia Louis-Dreyfus. "You were an unsurpassed artist and an exceptionally kind soul.
Author Neil Gaiman recounted seeing Jay for the first time: "It was a remarkable night, as fascinating for the stories told as for the magic."
Several recounted working with Jay in film or TV.
https://twitter.com/chrismcquarrie/status/1066511133895315456
Rest In Peace, Ricky Jay. You were an unsurpassed artist and an exceptionally kind soul. I will miss you, xo, your pal, Louis.
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) November 25, 2018
"Twin Peaks" co-creator Mark Frost, who described Jay as his friend and neighbor for 30 years, wrote that "a irreplaceable world of arcane history, theatrical passion, and his particular, singular performing genius passes with him."
I worked with Ricky Jay twice, in the movie MAGNOLIA and in the series DEADWOOD, in which I got to see his amazing prestidigital talents at close hand as his character Eddie… https://t.co/WTPmQYIHbW
— Jim Beaver (@jumblejim) November 25, 2018
The first time I saw Ricky Jay, @wossy took me to see him doing his 52 Friends show on the stage at the Old Vic. It was a remarkable night, as fascinating for the stories told as for the magic. #RIPRickyJay
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 25, 2018
RIP Ricky Jay, who ruled https://t.co/5oApuG6SpZ pic.twitter.com/1yb51VS1m9
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) November 25, 2018
Master magician and historian Ricky Jay has passed away. The breadth of his knowledge and appreciation for magic and the allied arts was truly remarkable. Such sad news, such a profound loss. #RIP https://t.co/VRYRxhkQKr
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) November 25, 2018
Oh no. My friend Ricky Jay is gone.
— errolmorris (@errolmorris) November 25, 2018
Many Hollywood denizens count themselves among his fans and were quick to pay tribute to him on social media.
So gutted to hear about the passing of Ricky Jay. One of the kindest humans I've met. Had a glorious smile and laugh. Could listen to his stories for hours. He lived and breathed history. He was beyond special yet never showed it. Truly one of a kind. #rip
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) November 25, 2018
Jim Beaver remembered working with Jay on Paul Thomas Anderson's "Magnolia" and HBO's "Deadwood." "I got to see his amazing prestidigital talents at close hand as his character Eddie…"
"The X-Files" executive producer Frank Spotnitz explained that the show creators "wrote 'The Amazing Maleeni' expressly for him, fans eager to share his sleight of hand with @TheXFiles audience."