Penn & Teller

***Penn & Teller*** (Penn Jillette and Teller) are American magicians and entertainers who have performed together since the late 1970s, noted for their ongoing act which combines elements of comedy with magic.

Penn Jillette serves as the act's orator and raconteur. Teller, on the other hand, generally does not speak while performing, and instead communicates through mime and nonverbals, though his voice can occasionally be heard during their live shows and television appearances. Besides magic, the pair has become associated with the advocacy of atheism, scientific scepticism, and libertarianism.

Find out more at pennandteller.com.

### Teller

***Teller*** (born Raymond Joseph Teller; February 14, 1948) is an American magician, illusionist, writer, actor, painter, and film director. He is best known as half of the comedy magic duo Penn & Teller, along with Penn Jillette. Teller usually does not speak during performances. He is an atheist, debunker, sceptic, and a fellow of the Cato Institute (a free market libertarian think tank that also lists Jillette as a fellow). Teller legally changed his name from "Raymond Joseph Teller" to the mononym "Teller".

In 1995, Teller appeared, without Penn, in the musical film The Fantasticks, which did not see a full release until 2000.

### Penn Jillette

***Penn Jillette*** (born March 5, 1955) is an American magician/illusionist, juggler, comedian, musician, inventor, actor, filmmaker, television personality and best-selling author known for his work with fellow magician Teller as half of the team Penn & Teller. Jillette serves as the act's orator and raconteur.

He is also known for his advocacy of atheism, scientific scepticism, libertarianism, and free-market capitalism.

### Cinema

Penn & Teller have appeared together in a number of films, namely My Chauffeur (1986), Car 54, Where Are You? (1994), based on the hit TV show that ran 1961-63, and Fantasia 2000 (1999), presenting *The Sorceror's Apprentice*.

**Penn & Teller Get Killed (1989)**

> *"What more do you want?"*
>
>

**Released** September 22, 1989

***Penn & Teller Get Killed*** is a black comedy film starring the magicians Penn & Teller. The duo play themselves, in a satirical account of what the audience would perhaps imagine the pair doing in their daily lives. Most of the action involves Penn and Teller playing practical jokes on each other along with Penn's girlfriend, Carlotta (Caitlin Clarke). The final joke, as the title of the film implies, has serious consequences for all three.

Penn & Teller enjoy playing jokes on each other. When Penn says on an interview show that he wishes he has someone threatening his life so that he "wouldn't sweat the small stuff," each of them begins a series of pranks on the other to suggest a real threat. Then they find that a real psychopath is interested in them. IMDb.com

### Television

#### Penn & Teller Go Public

* **First aired** December 28, 1986 (UK); January 28, 1985 (US)

Penn reads "Casey at the Bat" while Teller escapes from a straight jacket; Penn does a not-wimpy card trick; Teller gives the illusion of reality with a cigarette; Penn eats fire; and the guys show you a trick you can do at home, if you don't mind taping over Masterpiece Theatre. IMDb.com

#### Don't Try This At Home!

* **First aired** April 18, 1992 (UK); November 23, 1990 (US)

Penn and/or Teller play with mirrors, teach 900 people to make a hankie disappear, play with clear acrylic boxes, turn marshmallows into tools of violence, do some erotic fire-eating, become the King of Animal Traps, produce bees without end, make Jane Curtin do a magic trick with a needle, dental floss, and her pierced ear, and drive a truck filled with concrete over Teller. IMDb.com

#### The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller

* **First aired** January 7, 1994 (UK)

***The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller*** was a British magic show presented by Penn & Teller on Channel 4. The show featured segments deconstructing magic tricks, while performing some of their signature comedy magic stunts. There was also a middle segment involving celebrities such as Stephen Fry or John Cleese.

### Video

Penn & Teller's Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends was **released** July 10, 1987.