Magician David Blaine was born on April 4, 1973, to a single mother in Brooklyn, New York. A street performer provided Blaine's introduction to magic, as the curious 4-year-old waited for a subway train. Magic was not his only interest, however, and Blaine went on to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse drama school and appeared in several TV commercials and soap operas.
His first TV special, "David Blaine: Street Magic" was born and marked the beginning of a new era in magic for television. The special was not about grand illusions and theatrical lighting, but rather intimate miracles being performed in the streets before real people - a concept that had never been done before on TV. The show was an instant success and David was an overnight celebrity.
At age five, he learned what his dream was; after showing a neighbor an effect with the tarot cards, he saw for the first time the impact magic can have emotionally on people. He immediately told his mom he wanted to be a showman and she strongly encouraged him in everyway.
In his teens, he began to develop an interest in acting. He traveled to Manhattan everyday to attend acting school. He did a few commercials and small appearances on soap operas. At sixteen, Blaine levitated for his doctor who immediately took him in for examination.
He has performed magic for many celebrities, such as Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mike Tyson and President Clinton. David has also made guest appearances on nearly every major talk show of that decade including Oprah, Conan O'Brien, Rosie, Carson Daily, and Howard Stern. Even Comedy Central's SouthPark has an episode featuring him. Influenced by his idol, Harry Houdini, David Blaine decided to became an endurance artist. His first stunt, getting buried alive for seven days, had the approval of Houdini's granddaughter.
World's least engrossing daredevil
After setting a new world's record for holding his breath (17 minutes, 4 seconds) on 30 April 2008, he said it was the fulfillment of "a lifelong dream"
Blaine and Alizee Guinochet have one daughter, Dessa, born on January 27, 2011
She was a school teacher, however, she took on as many as three jobs just to provide for her and little David. When David was 21, his mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 48.
Alizée Guinochet was born on May 17, 1985. Gave birth to her 1st child at age 25, a daughter on January 27, 2011. Child's father is her boyfriend, David Blaine.
Dessa was born on January 27, 2011
