David Kwong

David Kwong (born 1980)[1] is a magician, puzzle creator, writer, and producer.[2]

David Kwong
Kwong at "Now You See Me" Q&A, 2013
Born (1980-08-20) August 20, 1980
Alma materHarvard University
Occupation(s)Magician, Puzzler, Producer, Public Speaker
Years active2002 – Present

Kwong is known for creating illusions and puzzles for film and television and for functioning as a producer and consultant in the field. He produced Deception, ABC's action crime drama about a magician that joins the FBI.[3] Other productions that Kwong has been involved with include Now You See Me (head magic consultant), NBC's Blindspot, The Magnificent Seven, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, and The Imitation Game.[1][4][5] Kwong also frequently contributes to the New York Times crossword puzzle along with crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz.[6]

Early life

Kwong is a native of Rochester, New York, where both of his parents are professors at the University of Rochester.[1]

Kwong attended Harvard University, where he studied journalism & media in the history department. He wrote his honors thesis on the history of oriental magicians and their impersonators. He graduated in 2002.[2][7]

Career

Magic

Kwong was inspired to pursue professional magic after attending a talk by conjurer Ricky Jay at Harvard University. After graduation, he moved to Hong Kong for two years, where he performed as a magician at cocktail parties. He later moved back to the United States, working in marketing for HBO in New York and later archiving for Ricky Jay in Los Angeles.[2]

Kwong debuted The Enigmatist at The High Line Hotel in New York City on January 4, 2019.[8] Presented by Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers, The Enigmatist is an immersive evening of puzzles, cryptology and illusions.[9] The Enigmatist performed on the West in 2021 at the Geffen Playhouse.[10]

Public speaking

Kwong has given several TED Talks and regularly speaks on the principles of illusion. His main stage TED Talk on magic and puzzles was coordinated with hiding a secret message in The New York Times crossword puzzle.[11] In 2017, he wrote the book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success.[12]

Puzzles

Kwong's first crossword puzzle, a joint construction with his friend Kevan Choset, was published in The New York Times on April 1, 2006.[8][2]

Kwong debuted his interactive online puzzle show "Inside the Box", hosted on Zoom, for the Geffen Playhouse in 2020.[13]

References
  1. "David Kwong helps 'Now You See Me' make magic". Los Angeles Times. May 26, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2015. Kwong, 32
  2. Zhang, Qichen (January 2012). "Five-letter Word for Magic: David Kwong has a trick that's all his own". Harvard Magazine. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  3. "Magic Procedural From 'Blindspot' Trio, Futuristic War Drama Land ABC Pilot Pickups". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  4. "Seen on a Street Corner, Briefly". The New York Times. December 21, 2014.
  5. "Blindspot boss drops clues on Jane Doe's tattoos" Entertainment Weekly September 11, 2015
  6. "The Magician and the Crossword". New York Times. December 6, 2010. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  7. "David Kwong '02". history.fas.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  8. Amlen, Deb (2018-12-12). "Who Made My Crossword? (Published 2018)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  9. Meyer, Dan (2019-01-30). "Immersive Theatre Experience The Enigmatist Extended Through March 2019". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  10. Writer, LA Times staff. "The magic of David Kwong and 'Enigmatist' at Geffen Playhouse". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  11. "Two nerdy obsessions meet – and it's magic". TED.com. July 11, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  12. HarperCollins, ISBN 9780062448460, 0062448463, 272 p.
  13. Green, Jesse (2020-10-14). "Review: What's 'Inside the Box'? A Rewarding (Rewording) Time". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
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