David Kwong

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David Kwong is a world-class illusionist, TED Talk presenter, and New York Times crossword puzzle constructor. His one-man show, The Enigmatist, is a thrilling combination of mentalism, cerebral gymnastics and magic that sold out in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. David’s performances astound audiences of all kinds as he tackles business, psychology, and creativity through the lens of a magician.

David Kwong is a leading expert in crafting entertaining puzzles, codes, and illusions. David was the head magic consultant for the hit movie Now You See Me, and his other credits include The Imitation Game, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and The Afterparty on Apple TV. He is also a veteran crossword puzzle constructor (cruciverbalist) for the New York Times, LA Times, and the Wall Street Journal.

Business, psychology, and magic are synthesized in David Kwong’s Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success (Harper Business, 2017). As a Harvard Alumnus (‘02) and master illusionist, David Kwong’s cerebral approach to magic reveals the principles of influence and control that are utilized by the world’s most successful people. He holds that magic is a science–the science of fooling one’s brain–and that everyone has the capacity to harness its power.

David Kwong has delivered multiple viral TED Talks across his career as a professional speaker. His first TED Talk, Two nerdy obsessions meet — and it’s magic, has over 1.7 million views on TED.com. His July 2024 TED Talk, Magic and Wonder in the Age of AI, was an instant hit, amassing over 100,000 views in its first 24 hours before being featured as the talk of the day. Kwong’s signature presentation style, a hybrid keynote and performance, perfectly encapsulates the tenets of wonder, science and critical thinking that lie at the heart of David’s work.

As a renowned keynote speaker, corporate entertainer, and host, David Kwong has designed bespoke experiences for leading organizations including Google, Warner Bros., Disney, Electronic Arts, and J.P. Morgan. The Enigmatist, as adapted for corporate audiences, is a top-booked presentation because it can be tailored to any organization’s messaging. Much like his keynote speeches, his performances can be customized to include varying amounts of audience participation, educational content, or purely his signature illusions. He offers not only thought-provoking and entertaining presentations for in-person audiences, but also engaging hybrid and virtual experiences. His virtual programs come with the fun, excitement, and friendly competition of a nationally syndicated game show, hosted live by the charismatic puzzle master himself. 

Order his new children’s book How to Fool Your Parents (HarperCollins Children’s, October 2024), already receiving rave reviews from fellow entertainers-turned-children’s authors Neil Patrick Harris and B.J. Novak.