Introduced to card tricks by his grandfather at the age of four

Acted in CBS variety special, "Like Magic"

Served as technical advisor for "The Escape Artist"

Cast as Philostrate in the NY Shakespeare Festival production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Central Park

After meeting playwright David Mamet and lecturing to his acting class, served as an advisor on Mamet's play "The Shawl"

Served as curator of the Mulholland Library of Conjuring and Allied Arts in Century City, California

Feature acting debut as a sleazy Las Vegas con man in Mamet's feature directorial debut, "House of Games"; also served as a consultant for confidence games

Reteamed with Mamet for a role in "Things Change"

Hosted CBS special, "Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women"; also produced, based on his 1986 book

Third film with Mamet, "Homicide"

Acted in an episode of the ABC series "Civil Wars"

Worked as sleight of hand consultant on "Sneakers"

Was the cons and frauds consultant for "Leap of Faith" starring Steve Martin

Portrayed ratty investor in "The Water Engine" (TNT); adapted from the Mamet play

Was a consultant on Charles Shyer's "I Love Trouble"

Designed the illusion wheelchair for "Forrest Gump"

Wrote and produced solo stage show, "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants"; directed off-Broadway by Mamet

Provided martini illusion for "Congo"

Appeared in HBO's special presentation of "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants"

Portrayed George Lang in Mamet's "The Spanish Prisoner"; film also featured Steve Martin

Played seen-it-all porn cameraman Kurt Longjohn in Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights"

Acted the part of computer expert Henry Gupta in "Tomorrow Never Dies"

Hosted the A&E special "The Story of Magic"

Appeared on UPN's "The Virtual Ed Sullivan Show"

Portrayed Vic Weems in "Mystery Men"

Reteamed with Anderson for "Magnolia"

Appeared in the London production of "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants"

Made memorable guest appearance on "The X-Files" as an illusionist with a gambling problem

Played 'Milton the Magician' in Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige"

Featured in the David Mamet directed, "Redbelt"