2-page article profile on Matt Wayne.

1. GUIDElines Entertainment
MATT WAYNE: THE MAGIC NEW YORKER
By Dorri Olds
M
att Wayne, aka Celebrity Magician, is a Renaissance
man. He came to New York City with one month’s magic, he’s exceptional. We’ve bonded over our shared love for animals
rent plus 600 dollars in his pocket, then forged a career and he’s like a historian on magic.”
Richard Pryor, Jr., son of the late comedian, is a fellow fundraiser
and friend who described Matt as “a true artist in every aspect. He’s
Does this man ever sleep? genuine and gives his all. You can feel his energy. It’s amazing how he
Matt caught a break when he landed a stint on a reality dating
show called “Wingman.” He was selected based on his pitch: “I’m a
magician, have toured all over the world, but I can’t get a date.” with the city’s rich and famous, i.e. Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters,
box fame). Biehl said, “I’d always dreamed of a man who would give Stanley, Coca-Cola.
Oh, and he is only 25.
cocktail napkin.” Matt and I sat down at a café in Chelsea. His height, slender build
and jet-black hair are disarming. He greeted me with a huge smile and,
Bachelor” Prince Lorenzo Borghese raising funds for animal causes. as we spoke, it was easy to see why he’s a celebrity. I was smitten.
Ted Greenberg and Matt Wayne for the
Off Broadway play The Complete Performer,
which is produced by Wayne
New York Resident: You are an MW: I play a German priest involved in an too, correct?
anomaly—magician, actor, producer, exorcism that goes terribly wrong. It takes MW: Yes. It’s in its fourth year now at the
spokesman. place in Germany, although it was shot here
Matt Wayne: Many actors got started in Complete Performer. One reviewer called it
magic—Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Adrien a ‘comedy extravaganza.’ It stars Late Show
Brody. My DVD “Got a Light?” was an exorcisms and lots of cool special effects—
overnight success and earned me instant like a girl walking on the ceiling. I felt lucky
notoriety in the magic community. It’s to work with the stellar up-and-coming cast. son of Alan Greenberg, the billionaire and
an instructional step-by-step tutorial of a former chairman of Bear Sterns, who is a big
one of the main priests and Sarah Bradford of teddy bear. I met Alan through my work as a
just took off after that. magician for the rich and famous.
NYR: Can you tell me about your new NYR: I’m very interested in hearing about
movie, When the Devil Comes? NYR: You produce an Off Broadway play your contributions to charities.
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Resident

2. Matt Wayne
Continued from Page 131
MW: I love animals. I’m like the Betty formulas. Thailand, Japan. The reason I wanted to
White of magic. I devote all my available NYR: Did the media poke fun at him—a become a celebrity was to have a voice.
time to helping animals. I was so moved Prince with a pet spa? I aim to grow my voice as loud and high
by the tragic Tuscaloosa tornado this MW: Oh yeah. He told me, ‘People think as I can. Celebrities are so blessed and I
past May I created a relief effort called, my family just sits around and plays hate it when they don’t use their fame to
“Operation Toto.” I contacted many croquet or something but we work, we help others. There are so many important
friends including Loretta Swit, Bonnie give back.’ He’s really a great guy. This causes.
Jill-Laflin, the NBA’s first female scout, past June he used his celebrity to help raise NYR: You have much to be proud of.
actor Doug Jones from Hellboy movies money for the New Rochelle Humane Have I left anything out?
and Richard Pryor, Jr. They all gladly Society at their 100th Anniversary. MW: [Grins] Yes, there’s more! In
participated. Loretta even agreed to host. NYR: Last September you launched a September 2010, YouTube launched
I called the Alabama State Department show called “Laff-a-Digitation.” How did their new Live Stream feature along with
to say I wanted to help and asked to be that name come about? Howcast. I helped add magic to the “How
put in touch with animal shelters and the MW: That’s my own play on words—
Humane Society down there. I turned prestidigitation is a fancy word for magic tutorial was used to launch the live stream.
my campaign into the only relief effort and the show is a combination of comedy The series has gotten close to two million
that came from the northeast. The New and magic. I rounded up headlining views and my show was voted number
York Daily News did a write-up about comics like you’d see on Comedy Central. one by Gizmoto. Also TouchTricks, the
it. Prince Lorenzo Borghese was one of Last year’s went so well that I’ll make it world’s first virtual magic kit for the
many generous donors. even bigger this year. iPhone and iPod touch, chose me as their
NYR: What can you tell me about the NYR: You’ve done a lot of work for official spokesperson.
Prince? animal welfare organizations like NYR: Any last parting words about your
MW: Most people know him from “The Bideawee, right? multi-faceted career?
Bachelor,” but he’s also the founder and MW: Yes. I do everything I can. My life is MW: My overall desire is to be helpful.
president of Royal Treatment Italian Pet targeted at helping animals and children. Social media has been great. An 11-year-
Spa. His own black lab suffered from dry That’s what motivates my career. Richard old who was going through radiation for a
skin so, ten years ago, he created a special Pryor, Jr. and I worked together at a brain tumor found me online and tweeted.
pet shampoo line. Because his family has Bideawee charity event for horses. I also He said my hard work had inspired him.
been in cosmetics since the early ’50s he do a lot of fundraising to help neglected He said Matt Wayne would never give up,
has tons of contacts. He made calls and children. so neither would he.
did research to learn what ingredients NYR: I’ve read that you’ve traveled far
were causing dry skin. Then he created and wide to entertain U.S. troops. Dorri Olds (DorriOlds.com) is a freelance writer
a healthier shampoo made with organic MW: Yes, all over Asia—South Korea, and web designer.
Matt Wayne with Steve Martin
Photo by Alan Barry
Resident