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Performer and author Ricky Jay

Ricky Jay has been called "a master in the art of deception," and "one of the greatest sleight of hand artists in the world." Next spring Jay will star in the one-man show Ricky Jay on Broadway. A few years ago, he starred in the off-Broadway show Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants, which was directed by David Mamet. Jay has had a long-term collaboration with Mamet, acting in the films House of Games, Things Change, Homicide, Spanish Prisoner, State and Main, and co-starring in Mamet's new film, Heist. Jay's new book, Jay's Journal of Anomalies, is a compilation of four years of his quarterly publication of the same name. He also wrote Cards as Weapons, The Magic Magic Book, and Learned Pigs, and Fireproof Women.

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Other segments from the episode on November 9, 2001

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 9, 2001: Interview with Ricky Jay; Review of the film “Heist;” Commentary on language.
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05:53

Film review: Heist

Film critic John Powers reviews Heist, written and directed by David Mamet and co-starring Ricky Jay. Also starring are Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito and Delroy Lindo.

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20:53

Sleight of hand expert and actor Ricky Jay

His new book is Dice: Deception, Fate & Rotten Luck. It's a collection of essays about the history of dice and the many ways of cheating at the game. The New York Times says of Jay, "He's a master's master." His other books include Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women and Jay's Journal of Anomalies. He's appeared in a number of David Mamet films and his one-man shows include Ricky Jay & His 52 Assistants and Ricky Jay: On the Stem.

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