Who is the Masked Magician? 5 Famous Illusions Revealed on 'The Masked Magician' Breaking The Code
Updated: Jun 21
Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed was a television series that revealed the methods behind magic tricks and illusions, causing controversy among magicians worldwide.
The show featured Val Valentino, also known as the Masked Magician, who concealed his true identity and exposed numerous classic magic tricks and illusions.
The show aired on the Fox network.
The show came out in the late nineties and caused a big uproar among magicians worldwide.
Let’s look at 5 of magic’s biggest secrets revealed and discover if magicians have a “code.”
Here’s a look at what we’ll cover in this post:
Is there a “Magician’s Code,” and have magicians followed these rules for centuries? The first rule of the Magician’s Code is you don’t talk about the Magician’s Code. 😂
Not revealing the secrets keeps audiences in awe and mystery– an essential experience for the art.
What do you think? Do you like knowing how magic tricks are done?
If you are interested in learning magic, most of these tricks are impractical but still fun to learn. Here’s another secret you might enjoy.
Do magicians have a “code?” Is it changing because of technology?
I promise to answer that– first, let’s look at how you can watch all episodes of Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed.
Where Can I Watch Breaking the Magician's Code Shows in 2022?
So, you're looking to watch Breaking the Magician's Code 2022 online?
Watching this show is like being invited into a secret world; you keep watching because it's strangely compelling and fun to learn the secrets.
In Breaking the Magician's Code, you'll learn how to do tricks like how to saw someone in half, how a magician makes an elephant appear out of thin air, and underwater death-defying escapes.
So-- where can you watch Breaking the Magician's Code online?
Here are the most popular streaming services and who carries Breaking the Magicians Code:
Streaming Services with Breaking the Magicians Code
Netflix | Yes |
Disney+ | No |
Hulu | Yes |
Amazon Prime Video | Yes |
HBO Max | No |
Sling TV | No |
Peacock | No |
Apple TV Plus | No |
YouTube TV | Yes |
Get ready for some cheesy poses and voiceovers from the show's host. :)
You can also watch many of the clips on YouTube.
Who Is The Masked Magician?
The Masked Magician is Val Valentino, an entertainer who has made a name for himself by spoiling the secrets of magic tricks.
He became famous for appearing on the Fox television series Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed from 1997 to 1998.
The revelation of the masked magician's identity, Val Valentino, and his motives for revealing magic secrets on national television sparked significant controversy.
Valentino claimed his goal was to inspire others to become magicians and to force magicians to reinvent themselves, but many were skeptical of his true intentions.
During these four series shows, he revealed tricks used by magicians such as David Copperfield and Penn & Teller.
Val Valentino was asked why he exposed magic secrets in a Reddit AMA, and he responded:
"The main reason I did the program was to get Magicians talking about the future of the Magical Arts as the Internet was about to change everything as it has."
The masked magician persona significantly impacted Valentino's career, leading to both fame and criticism.
This caused a significant impact on fellow magicians and stirred controversy within the magic community. Valentino's actions were seen as a way to force magicians to reinvent themselves.
Valentino included revealing magic secrets to encourage others to become magicians.
Let’s look at the five famous tricks and illusions.
5 Big Magic Secrets Exposed by the Masked Magician
Levitation - How magicians levitate and float in mid-air
Appearance - How to make an elephant appear
Cut In Half - How a magician saws a person in half
A classic of Magic - Pulling a rabbit out of a hat
Escapes - Underwater escapes
Here are the videos sharing the secrets to some of magic's biggest mysteries.
1. The Levitation - Floating in Mid Air
Magicians have been obsessed with floating things!
Simply making things float is a cool trick. Have you ever wanted to float in mid-air? It is called "levitation." How does it work? How can this be possible? Do magnets play a role?
Have a look at a levitation similar to what Criss Angel performed on his television show.
2. How to Make an Elephant Appear
Here is a video showing the secret to a very visual illusion: an Elephant appearing from nowhere.
Clever strategies and techniques in perception are the secrets to this mystery.
3. How to Saw a Person in Half
Here is the secret behind one of the most famous illusions in the world, cutting a person in half.
4. How to Pull a Rabbit Out of a Hat
Ever wanted to know how magicians pull a rabbit out of a hat?
Here is the secret to the trick! Watch:
5. Underwater Escapes
In the early 1900s, Harry Houdini became famous for his death-defying escapes.
In this video, the Masked Magicians shows us his underwater escape.
Who Are The Masked Magician's Assistants?
If you've watched the show The Masked Magician on Fox, you know each episode is devoted to breaking down a magic trick.
Most of those tricks were stage illusions.
The show presented these big illusions in a warehouse with magic assistants but with no audience, only his assistants Michelle Berube, Denise Holland, Jennifer Lee Keyes, and Sybil Azur.
Viewers get to see both a performance of the trick and behind-the-scenes footage of the Masked Magician's assistants in action.
Who Hosted The Show?
Mitch Pileggi hosted the show. You may recognize Mitch Pileggi from his role as Assistant Director Walter Skinner on The X-Files and 54 films.
Is The Magician's Code Real?
Let’s talk about the vanishing elephant in the room: is the magician’s code real?
Kinda.
The Magician’s Code is a set of unspoken rules that magicians agree to follow to ensure the art of magic is not lost. The television series 'Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed' starring Val Valentino as the Masked Magician, caused controversy by exposing these secrets.
Some argue that revealing old and tired tricks forces magicians to innovate, but others see it as a move driven by ratings and money.
These rules are not necessarily official written or published rules but instead passed down from magician to magician through apprenticeship and mentorship. Valentino performed in Las Vegas and was approached by Fox while performing in Las Vegas showrooms, leading to the decision to do the television program.
It takes away from magic’s artistry and entertainment value if you reveal too much.
Wonderment is the core of magic.
Valentino also performed in the show, ' Viva Las Vegas' during the 1990s.
So does that mean technology and YouTube are changing the magician’s code? We answer that question here!
There is even talk of a potential movie called Masked Magician, featuring a magician who uses illusions to fight crime.
What illusion surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments.
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