Wayne Hoffman

Wayne Hoffman
Born Reading, Pennsylvania
Occupation Mentalist, Magician, Illusionist,
Website www.waynehoffman.com

Wayne Hoffman (born November 20, 1981) is an American mentalist, illusionist, and motivational speaker. He appeared on several national and international television shows and tours the country with his show "Mind Candy" [1] He appeared on this season of America's Got Talent, season 10 (2015) [2] and also appeared in their TV commercial.[3] He appeared on NBC's television show Phenomenon on October 31, 2007.[4] He also appeared on The Howard Stern Show on April 30, 2008. He was a co-host of The A-List on Discovery's Animal Planet. He was also a guest on CNN's television talk show Glenn Beck[5] on March 25, 2008. He appeared as a guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show[6][7] on April 13, 2009. On May 4, 2012 he appeared in a short movie entitled "Epic School Battle" with Steven Tyler and KISS [8] He also appeared on CBS's Excused on October 30, 2012.[9][10] He also appeared on Beverly Hills Pawn on June 12, 2013.[11] Wayne Hoffman was also an expert guest on The Numbers Game on The National geographic Channel on March 31, 2014 [12] Wayne successfully fooled Penn & Teller on their show Fool Us on the CW network on August 31st, 2016. He subsequently performed onstage with Penn & Teller at the Rio Hotel and casino on September 25th 2016.[13]

He appeared on Takeshi Kitano’s “Unbelieveable” on Japan’s TV Asahi in December 2013.[14] He was also a guest on Fuji TV’s “Anbiribabo” on March 20, 2014 [15]

Early life

Wayne Nicholas Hoffman was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Holy Name High School[4]

His father is Fred Hoffman [16] (born 1936), and his mother is Rose Schober (born 1948). Friends called him "Magic Man". He performed his first show at the age of 15[17] in Reading, Pennsylvania. Hoffman noticed his ability to predict what people are thinking as a pre-teen while riding the school bus. He noticed he could predict what color M&M’s his friend would choose from a bag.[18] In 1989, he and his mother moved to Shillington, Pennsylvania where he found the Mingus Magic Shop and his passion for "the mystery arts".[4] After graduating from high school he attended Alvernia College (now Alvernia University).[4] As a child, Hoffman's interest in magic and mind-reading led him to study psychology.[19] He became a professional magician and began performing. He is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.[18]

Career

Initially, Hoffman's career resulted in average success. Initially focused on traditional card tricks, he performed for churches and museums, restaurants, and even private birthday parties.[17][20] At one point, he performed table-to-table at restaurants in his home town.[21] But he soon began experimenting with mentalism. Throughout high school he would perform for classmates and workers at the school.[20] Later Hoffman began performing for corporations who would pay him to incorporate their sales message into his magic.[21]

Hoffman quickly began performing throughout Pennsylvania, and eventually the east coast.[20] In 2003 he began performing nationally after a start in the collegiate market.[20] In 2006 he furthered his career by performing for Princess Cruise lines.[22]

"Wayne Hoffman" - Promotional photo taken in 2007

Hoffman's "big break" came in 2007 when he was contacted by NBC. Impressed by his mentalism act, NBC asked him to participate in their television show Phenomenon. The producers were impressed with his apparent ability to change traffic lights with his mind.[4][20][23] After his exposure on Phenomenon, he began to get phone calls for appearances on other television shows such as, The Howard Stern Show,[24] The Glenn Beck Show,[5] The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[7] and more. Shortly after, Hoffman performed his first international show in England. Hoffman later became known as "The Master of Mayhem." [25][26]

From 2007 onward, he performed with great success in the United States. He would appear to read minds, influence audience members' thoughts, and perform feats of psychokinesis. Because of controversy started from his appearance on The Howard Stern Show[27] he began performing demonstrations that have no apparent explanation. He focused much of his attention on death-defying stunts, which added the possibility of failure and death.[18]

For the majority of his career, he performed his act as a headliner. One of his most notable mentalism feats was performed on Phenomenon (TV series), where he influenced former Miss USA Shandi Finnessey to draw a yin-yang symbol which he had tattooed on his arm one month prior.[28] In 2006 he established Hoffman Entertainment which provides talent management. The business is still in operation as of January 2013.[29] In 2012 Wayne Hoffman was nominated as "Entertainer of The Year" by Princess Cruises.[30]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Notes
2006 APCA Awards Novelty Artist of the Year Won n/a
2008 Campus Activities Magazine Awards Best Live Novelty Artist Nominated n/a
2009 Campus Activities Magazine Awards Entertainer of the Year Nominated n/a
2009 Campus Activities Magazine Awards Best Male Performer Nominated n/a
2009 Campus Activities Magazine Awards Best Live Novelty Artist Nominated Second Nomination
2010 Campus Activities Magazine Awards Entertainer of the Year Nominated Second Nomination
2011 CNN Money Top Ten CNN Top Ten Cool Companies Won CNNmoney.com
2012 COCA Awards Lecture/Variety Artist of the Year Won coca.org
2012 Princess Cruise Lines Entertainer of the Year Nominated
2014 COCA Awards Lecture/Variety Artist of the Year Won coca.org
2016 APCA Awards Mentalist Of The Year Won Apca.com
2016 Penn & Teller: Fool Us Winner/Fooler Won

[31][32][33][34]

In the news

On November 23, 2011, Hoffman was featured in a story for CNN Money where he was featured in their story "Cool Companies". The story highlighted 12 "cool and profitable companies." The story was written by Kitt Walsh.[35]

On November 1, 2011, he was quoted in YFS (Young, Fabulous, and Self-employed) Magazine.[36]

On October 5, 2012, Hoffman was featured in a story posted on the CNN Money website. The story was about the Top Ten surprising six-figure jobs. The Story was written by Blake Ellis.[37]

On October 5, 2012, Hoffman was featured in Yahoo! Finance in a story originally posted by CNN Money about the Top 10 surprising six-figure jobs.[38]

On October 8, 2012, Hoffman was featured on the AOL homepage in a story originally posted by CNN Money on the Top 10 surprising six-figure jobs.[39]

Motivational presentation

In 2009, Hoffman began presenting a motivational speech entitled "The Power and Potential of The Human Mind" His first presentation was at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.[40]

Mind Candy

In 2012, Hoffman wrote his first book entitled Mind Candy. The book is a motivational book that teaches people a method to achieve any goal they have. The system taught in the book implements common sense business tactics, as well as positive thinking.[17]

Hoffman Entertainment

In 1996, Hoffman established his entertainment agency, Hoffman Entertainment.[29] The agency books various acts including bands, comedians, speakers, and interactive novelties. Hoffman Entertainment has two offices in the United States. One located in Hollywood, Ca and the other in Reading, PA.[41]

Philanthropy

In 2012, Hoffman established his first charitable organization, The Hoffman Foundation. The goal of the organization is to help children from lower-income families experience live theater.[19]

Near death experience / flight incident

On January 30, 2008 Hoffman and his father were on an American Airlines flight from San Juan to Philadelphia. During the flight the plane's cockpit caught on fire.[42] It was later discovered that a fuse in the window's heater blew causing an electrical fire. The plane made an emergency landing at Palm Beach International Airport 90 minutes after the plane's cabin filled with smoke. 7 people were sent to the hospital including the captain and the co-pilot. The co-pilot was treated for cuts he sustained to his face when the plane's windshield shattered.[43]

References

  1. "'Mind Candy' with Wayne Hoffman plays at Taj through August - Press of Atlantic City: Headliners At The Jersey Shore | AtTheShoreOnline.com". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  2. "Wayne Hoffman: Blindfolded Mentalist Lights Firecrackers in his Mouth - America's Got Talent 2015 and Penn and Teller Fool US". YouTube. 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  3. "America's Got Talent - Season 10 First Look (Promo)". YouTube. 2015-05-15. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Caltagirone, Stephanie (2007-10-24). "Berks man to play mind games on 'Phenomenon'". Readingeagle.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  5. 1 2 "CNN.com - Transcripts". Transcripts.cnn.com. 2008-03-25. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  6. "The Ellen DeGeneres Show: The place for Ellen tickets, celebrity photos, videos, games, giveaways and more. | EllenTV.com". Ellen.warnerbros.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  7. 1 2 "Bonus Mind Trick by Mentalist Wayne Hoffman - Web Exclusive". EllenTV.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  8. "Epic School Battle (Short 2012) - IMDbPro". Pro.imdb.com. 2012-05-04. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  9. "Excused: Season 2, Episode 52. Magic Man (30 October 2012)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  10. "Magic Red Bull Can". YouTube. 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20150707084744/http://www.reelz.com/beverlyhillspawn-schedule/. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. "New Series 'The Numbers Game' Reveals How Statistics May Hold the Keys to a Better Life - Ratings". TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  13. "Imdb.com - Transcripts". IMDb.com. 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
  14. "ウェイン・ホフマンは預言者?著書「Mind Candy」にも注目". Info-crucible.net. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  15. "奇跡体験!アンビリバボー:世界の超人からマジシャンKiLaへの挑戦状SP - フジテレビ". Fujitv.co.jp. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  16. "Local Father, Son Fear Worst During Emergency Landing | News - Home". Wfmz.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  17. 1 2 3 "Wayne Hoffman Interview - Illusionist and Mentalist | All Job Openings". Careerthoughts.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  18. 1 2 3
  19. 1 2 "Yahoo". Voices.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "Berks contestant "a ladies man who reads minds' - tribunedigital-mcall". Articles.mcall.com. 2007-10-30. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  21. 1 2
  22. http://www.seattlepi.com/business/press-releases/article/Princess-Cruises-Announces-Finalists-for-Second-4010243.php. Retrieved July 7, 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. "Phenomenon Photos". TVGuide.com. 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  24. "Howard Stern on Demand : Wayne Hoffman (30 April 2008)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  25. "Master of mayhem | Humber Students' Federation". Humberlife.com. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  26. "Famed Mentalist and Illusionist to Perform at Ferris on Jan. 16". Ferris.edu. 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  27. "Wayne Hoffman". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  28. "Wayne Hoffman on Phenomenon Performance 1". YouTube. 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  29. 1 2 "About Us | Hoffman Entertainment". Ilovehoffman.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  30. "Princess Cruises Announces Finalists for Second Annual Entertainer of the Year Competition : Princess Cruises". Princess.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  31. "Campus Activities Magazine by Watus Kirby". ISSUU. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  32. https://web.archive.org/web/20140513182557/http://www.apca.com/national_photos.php. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. "Coleman Productions". Coleman Productions. 2015-02-07. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  34. "Hoffman Entertainment | Live and Interactive Entertainment". Ilovehoffman.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  35. "Cool companies - Mind reader (5) - CNNMoney". Money.cnn.com. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  36. "17 Things You Should Know Before You Start a Business". Yfsentrepreneur.com. 2011-11-01. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  37. Blake Ellis (2012-10-05). "Reads minds, does magic tricks - Surprising six-figure jobs - CNNMoney". Money.cnn.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  38. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/surprising-six-figure-jobs.html. Retrieved July 7, 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. "Surprising Six-Figure Jobs". Jobs.aol.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  40. "LF Was At The 2009 West Coast Tanning Expo". Lookingfit.com. 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  41. "Contact Us | Hoffman Entertainment". Ilovehoffman.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  42. "Smoky jet lands; 2 Berks men OK". Readingeagle.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  43. "Smoke In Cockpit Prompts Emergency Landing". CBS News. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
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