- Tommy Wonder
Tommy Wonder (
November 29 ,1953 -June 26 ,2006 ) was the stage name of Jacobus Maria Bemelman, a Dutch magician who performed both close-up and stage magic. Wonder performed in Las Vegas,Monte Carlo and on Fox television.Fact|date=May 2007Wonder developed an interest in conjuring at an early age. He studied acting, dancing and singing for three years at the "Academie voor Podiumvorming" (Performance Academy) in
The Hague and subsequently toured for two years with "De Haagsche Comedie".He took second prize at the
World Championships of Magic in 1979 and again in 1988. In 1998 he also received the "Performer Fellowship Award" from theAcademy of Magical Arts in Hollywood. In 1999, he was awarded "Best Sleight of Hand Performer" from theWorld Magic Awards .Fact|date=May 2007Because Wonder designed and developed all of his own repertoire, he was held in high esteem amongst his colleagues in magic. Wonder's 1996 two-volume "The Books of Wonder" are highly acclaimed.Fact|date=May 2007
Tommy Wonder died after a brief battle with lung cancer.
On 5 August 2006 Tommy Wonder posthumously received the Theory & Philosophy Award at the
FISM World Championships of Magic in Stockholm.External links
* [http://www.tommywonder.nl Official site]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5kxUuO5JZo Video of a Tommy Wonder classic]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFqLvPaQOsQ Video of Tommy Wonder performing for the World Magic Awards]
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