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Actor and famed magician Ricky Jay passed away on Saturday at the age of 72 of natural causes, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and his colleagues in Hollywood have since been pouring out their tributes of remembrance for the Deadwood star.
Jay, who was known for his silver screen work in films like Boogie Nights, Tomorrow Never Dies, Magnolia and The Prestige as well as his numerous appearances on late night shows stretching back to the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, is being remembered for his talents both on-screen and on-stage. He was considered one of the greatest sleight of hand magicians in the world and a leading expert on the craft and history of magic, and commanded great respect in Hollywood.
Oh man, Ricky Jay. Just a genius. One of the best who ever lived. We'll all miss you, Ricky. Oh man.
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) November 25, 2018
Sorry to hear of Ricky Jay's death. He had the chops alright. Saw him and his "52 Assistants" (in an air conditioned tent to keep his fingertips dry) and was blown away. Impossible feats. His book "Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women" a masterpiece.
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) November 25, 2018
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
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
I first read about Ricky Jay in this great profile https://t.co/vPshoqcz7V I then ran to sign up as a volunteer usher for his show 'RJ & his 52 Assistants'. I ushered for it at least a dozen times & was mesmerized every time. He called me on stage once for one of the bits...
— Edward Norton (@EdwardNorton) November 25, 2018
I was blessed to have the legendary Ricky Jay as a consultant on Rogue Nation. An off-handed comment he made inspired the climax of the opera sequence. It's safe to say it would not be the same scene without him.
— Christopher McQuarrie (@chrismcquarrie) November 25, 2018
He was the greatest of a vanishing breed.
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
In addition to his recurring role as Eddie Sawyer in Deadwood, Jay also appeared on television shows like The X-Files, Kidnapped, The Unit, and Lie to Me. He shared back-to-back Screen Actors Guild nominations for best film ensembles with his co-stars from Paul Thomas Anderson's films Boogie Nights and Magnolia and a National Board of Review Award win with his castmates from State and Main.
It was Jay's gift for sleight of hand that really set him apart from his peers. He practiced magic for decades and even earned a Guinness World Record for how far he could throw a playing card. His skills proved quite handy behind the scenes of several productions, as he and business partner Michael Weber worked with actors, filmmakers and even props teams to create illusions in movies.
I am sorry to share that my remarkable friend, teacher, collaborator and coconspirator is gone.
— Michael Weber (@mwisme) November 25, 2018