Biography
Ricky Jay, born Richard Jay Potash, was an American actor, magician and writer. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 26 June 1946 and died in Los Angeles on 24 November 2018.
Jay appeared in films including Boogie Nights (1997), Magnolia (1999) and The Prestige (2006). On television he played Eddie Sawyer and wrote one episode of the first season of Deadwood (2004). He frequently collaborated with playwright and director David Mamet, appearing in several of his films and having his one-man stage shows directed by him.
Jay was also known for his expertise in magic and deception; he wrote books on the history of magic and card tricks, and worked as a consultant on numerous films and television productions.
