Rich Ferguson
Encyclopedia
Rich Ferguson aka "The Ice Breaker", is an American
magician, entertainer, inventor and creative consultant. He is the producer and host of the Official Poker Chip Tricks
and Card Handling DVD Series. Rich is the creator of dozens of effects including numerous instructional DVDs such as "Tagged", "Serial Biller" and "This is Mentalism." He is best known for his ability to perform impromptu mind-reading effects combining magic and mentalism using opportunity, observation and psychology. Rich's style of magic is mostly dynamic, meaning he doesn't have a set of tricks that he uses, which really separates him from other magicians. Using techniques from mentalism and combining improvisation, Rich performs interactive styled entertainment that focuses more on the spectator rather than the trick. Rich Ferguson went to college for engineering and worked for United Parcel Service prior to becoming a full time entertainer and creative consultant in 1997. Ferguson married Traci Adams August 8, 2008.
. In 2005, a Telly
award winning documentary was made revealing Rich's unusual childhood. In August 2009, Rich created, hosted and organized Central Coast Talent, a regional version of America's Got Talent for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Rich has been recognized from city, state and congress for his community and business excellence receiving Congressional Certificates, The Everest Award and has been showcased during special events for groups like Social Services. Rich is seen on the cover of the San Luis Obispo city map, visitor's guide and business membership directory 2009-2010.
in Europe doing workshops and performing magic for 10,000 fans on jumbo screens as well as numerous high profile events for a wide range of celebrities such as Jay Leno
, Chuck Liddell
, Jack Hanna
and Weird Al. In 2009, The United States Playing Card Company made Ferguson’s decks of cards.
Rich Ferguson has been featured on the front page of The New Times, Pacific Coast Business Times, The Tribune and featured as a center spread in BLUFF, a popular gaming magazine which Rich wrote a monthly column for over two years. Numerous appearances on news, radio and television around the US and Europe made Ferguson a popular internet and YouTube magician. Ferguson showcased his Chip Tricks and Card Handling skills at the World Series of Poker in 2006.
In 2004, Ferguson produced and hosted a series of poker chip and card handling DVDs sold by WEA and seen in mainstream stores like Costco. Currently, Ellusionist distributes his magic and mentalism DVDs of which one was awarded "Trick of the Year" by the magic community.
In addition to performing for clients and creating books and DVDs, Ferguson is a creative consultant to other entertainers like The Pendragons
and companies like Apple. Blank Gag Books and Tricks to Pick Up Chicks are the newest books Rich has authored. Using his unique childhood story combined with magic, Ferguson is also known for motivational speaking for at risk youth with programs such as "Rich: Real and Radical" in which he focuses on overcoming obstacles and common sense.
In February, 2011, Ferguson appeared on FOX and CBS news twenty-one consecutive times performing a new trick a day. In March, 2011 Rich was a special guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show.
with 31 rolls of a silver dollar in each hand. Ferguson beat the Guinness World Record by such a margin with 54 rolls simultaneously per hand that Paul Kieve and Guinness World Record offices in the UK held off accepting it until there was a more standardized and established record. In November 2011, Rich officially was awarded numerous speed records for playing cards, finger rings and poker chips.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
magician, entertainer, inventor and creative consultant. He is the producer and host of the Official Poker Chip Tricks
Chip tricks
Chip tricks are manipulations of poker chips. Unlike in magic, chip "tricks" are not demonstrated to fool a spectator. Rather, in the poker community, chip tricks are a way of passing time, fidgeting, showing off, looking impressive or intimidating other players.-History of chip tricks:Since the...
and Card Handling DVD Series. Rich is the creator of dozens of effects including numerous instructional DVDs such as "Tagged", "Serial Biller" and "This is Mentalism." He is best known for his ability to perform impromptu mind-reading effects combining magic and mentalism using opportunity, observation and psychology. Rich's style of magic is mostly dynamic, meaning he doesn't have a set of tricks that he uses, which really separates him from other magicians. Using techniques from mentalism and combining improvisation, Rich performs interactive styled entertainment that focuses more on the spectator rather than the trick. Rich Ferguson went to college for engineering and worked for United Parcel Service prior to becoming a full time entertainer and creative consultant in 1997. Ferguson married Traci Adams August 8, 2008.
Early life
Ferguson was born Richard Evans in Salinas, California. His biological mother, Deborah Eden-Evans was murdered in 1974. His biological father, Ronnie Evans, has spent multiple life sentences in various penitentiaries since 1971 for drug trafficking and various crimes on society. Ferguson was removed from Salinas and adopted at the late age of 12 on December 12, 1982 by Roy and Margaret Ferguson in San Luis Obispo, California. After being tested for placement and learning to read at the age of 12, Ferguson showed intelligence of an equivalent 16th grade level.Community commitment
Rich is a spokesperson and mentor for Big Brothers Big SistersBig Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
. In 2005, a Telly
Telly
The word telly may refer to:* A colloquial term for television* Telly Monster* Telly Awards* Telly Home Entertainment Server*Telly , a range of computer systems*Telly Addicts UK game show*Indian Telly Awards...
award winning documentary was made revealing Rich's unusual childhood. In August 2009, Rich created, hosted and organized Central Coast Talent, a regional version of America's Got Talent for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Rich has been recognized from city, state and congress for his community and business excellence receiving Congressional Certificates, The Everest Award and has been showcased during special events for groups like Social Services. Rich is seen on the cover of the San Luis Obispo city map, visitor's guide and business membership directory 2009-2010.
Career
Some career highlights include 2007 NBC Phenomenon finalist, 2008 Best Entertainer (Central California Readers Poll - New Times), 2004 Magic Castle Gold Medal, 2005 Grand Champion Magician Nominee, 40 under 40 Business Award, 20 under 40 Business Award and 2008 Trick of the Year. Some prominent events and performances include touring with Full Tilt PokerFull Tilt Poker
Full Tilt Poker is an online poker card room that opened in June 2004 with the involvement of poker professionals Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey, Andy Bloch, Mike Matusow, Jennifer Harman and Chris Ferguson...
in Europe doing workshops and performing magic for 10,000 fans on jumbo screens as well as numerous high profile events for a wide range of celebrities such as Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
, Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell
Charles David "Chuck" Liddell is a retired American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion. Liddell has an extensive striking background in Kempo, Koei-Kan karate and kickboxing, as well as a grappling background in collegiate wrestling.As of his...
, Jack Hanna
Jack Hanna
John Bushnell "Jack" Hanna is an American zookeeper who is the Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. He was Director of the zoo from 1978 to 1993, and is viewed as largely responsible for elevating its quality and reputation. His media appearances have made him one of the most...
and Weird Al. In 2009, The United States Playing Card Company made Ferguson’s decks of cards.
Rich Ferguson has been featured on the front page of The New Times, Pacific Coast Business Times, The Tribune and featured as a center spread in BLUFF, a popular gaming magazine which Rich wrote a monthly column for over two years. Numerous appearances on news, radio and television around the US and Europe made Ferguson a popular internet and YouTube magician. Ferguson showcased his Chip Tricks and Card Handling skills at the World Series of Poker in 2006.
In 2004, Ferguson produced and hosted a series of poker chip and card handling DVDs sold by WEA and seen in mainstream stores like Costco. Currently, Ellusionist distributes his magic and mentalism DVDs of which one was awarded "Trick of the Year" by the magic community.
In addition to performing for clients and creating books and DVDs, Ferguson is a creative consultant to other entertainers like The Pendragons
The Pendragons
Jonathan and Charlotte Pendragon were an award-winning husband-and-wife team of American illusionists who called their work "physical grand illusion"...
and companies like Apple. Blank Gag Books and Tricks to Pick Up Chicks are the newest books Rich has authored. Using his unique childhood story combined with magic, Ferguson is also known for motivational speaking for at risk youth with programs such as "Rich: Real and Radical" in which he focuses on overcoming obstacles and common sense.
In February, 2011, Ferguson appeared on FOX and CBS news twenty-one consecutive times performing a new trick a day. In March, 2011 Rich was a special guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show.
World record
Ferguson holds the world record for coin rolling which was set on July 20, 2004. The previous recognized world record was by magician Jeff McBrideJeff McBride
Jeff McBride is an American magician from Monticello New York. He is known for his sleight of hand skills and specializes in the manipulation of playing cards, coins, and other small objects. His stage performances blend elements of kabuki, a Japanese theater form, with traditional conjuring...
with 31 rolls of a silver dollar in each hand. Ferguson beat the Guinness World Record by such a margin with 54 rolls simultaneously per hand that Paul Kieve and Guinness World Record offices in the UK held off accepting it until there was a more standardized and established record. In November 2011, Rich officially was awarded numerous speed records for playing cards, finger rings and poker chips.
Published books and DVDs
- Official Poker Chip Tricks DVD (2004)
- Official Poker Card Stunts DVD (2005)
- Official Poker Shuffles & Cuts DVD (2005)
- Official Poker Flourishes DVD (2005)
- Tagged - Magic Training DVD (2008)
- Serial Biller - Magic Training DVD (2009)
- This is Mentalism - Magic Training DVD (2010)
- Tricks to Pick Up Chicks - Magic Tricks, Lines, Bets, Scams & Psychology - Book (2010)
- What Men Know About Women - Gag Book (2011)
- Why I Love My Job - Gag Book (2011)
- Life After Retirement - Gag Book (2011)
- What I Know About Being a Mom - Gag Book (2011)
- What I Know About Being a Dad - Gag Book (2011)
- The Truth About Government - Gag Book (2011)
- Sex After 50 - Gag Book (2011)
- Sex After 60 - Gag Book (2011)
- Sex After Marriage - Gag Book (2011)
- What Women Know About Men - Gag Book (2011)
- What I Learned in College - Gag Book (2011)
- What I Learned in High School - Gag Book (2011)
- This is Mentalism 2 - Magic Training DVD (2011)
External links
- Rich Ferguson's Official Site
- Featured Magician and Special Guest on Ellen Degeneres Show
- About.com Famous Magician Bio
- TheIceBreaker.com Rich Ferguson, AKA "The Ice Breaker"
- Top 10 magician ranking site
- Telly Award Winning Documentary
- Literacy Commercial
- Wedding Guide Blog
- Wow Factor Guide - HereComesTheGuide.com
- Rich Ferguson fan page
- Magic Forum and Blogs about Rich Ferguson Ellusionist.com
- Author, Tricks to Pick Up Chicks
- Author, Blank Gag Books
- Ellusionist.com, Tagged DVD
- Ellusionist.com, Serial Biller DVD
- Chip Tricks DVD, Card Stunts DVD, Shuffles & Cuts DVD, Flourishes DVD