Master magician Ricky Jay, who had several ties to Hollywood from both his appearances in films and TV and his company Deceptive Practices, died Saturday in Los Angeles at 72.
Many Hollywood denizens count themselves among his fans and were quick to pay tribute to him on social media.
“Rest In Peace, Ricky Jay,” wrote “Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus. “You were an unsurpassed artist and an exceptionally kind soul. I will miss you, xo, your pal, Louis.”
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) November 25, 2018
Neil Patrick Harris lauded Jay’s skill: “The breadth of his knowledge and appreciation for magic and the allied arts was truly remarkable. Such sad news, such a profound loss.”
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) November 25, 2018
“Twin Peaks” co-creator Mark Frost, who described Jay as his friend and neighbor for 30 years, wrote that “a irreplaceable world of arcane history, theatrical passion, and his particular, singular performing genius passes with him.”
— Mark Frost (@mfrost11) November 25, 2018
Michael McKean called him “one of a kind.”
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) November 25, 2018
“Criminal Minds” star Joe Mantegna tweeted that “the world has truly lost a little of its magic today.”
— Joe Mantegna (@JoeMantegna) November 25, 2018
Author Neil Gaiman recounted seeing Jay for the first time: “It was a remarkable night, as fascinating for the stories told as for the magic.”
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 25, 2018
Filmmaker Errol Morris simply wrote, “Oh no. My friend Ricky Jay is gone.”
— errolmorris (@errolmorris) November 25, 2018
Several recounted working with Jay in film or TV.
“The X-Files” executive producer Frank Spotnitz explained that the show creators “wrote ‘The Amazing Maleeni’ expressly for him, fans eager to share his sleight of hand with @TheXFiles audience.”
— Frank Spotnitz (@FrankSpotnitz) November 25, 2018
Jim Beaver remembered working with Jay on Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia” and HBO’s “Deadwood.” “I got to see his amazing prestidigital talents at close hand as his character Eddie…”
— Jim Beaver (@jumblejim) November 25, 2018
“Mission Impossible” director Christopher McQuarrie expressed appreciation for Jay’s input as a consultant on “Rogue Nation”: “An off-handed comment he made inspired the climax of the opera sequence. Its safe to say it would not be the same scene without him.”
He was the greatest of a vanishing breed.
— Christopher McQuarrie (@chrismcquarrie) November 25, 2018
See more reactions below.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) November 25, 2018
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) November 25, 2018
— Downtown Griffy Newmz (@GriffLightning) November 25, 2018
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) November 25, 2018
— Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) November 25, 2018
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) November 25, 2018
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) November 25, 2018
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