Raymond Joseph Teller Biography
Raymond Joseph Teller was born in Philadelphia in 1948. He became interested in magic at a young age after finding a book on magic tricks. He met Penn Jillette in 1974 and they began collaborating as a comedy magic duo called Penn & Teller.
Though Teller rarely speaks during performances, he specializes in close-up sleight of hand tricks and illusions. Penn & Teller gained popularity through TV appearances and comedy clubs in the 1980s. They went on to star in their own off-Broadway show for ten years, as well as numerous TV specials.
In addition to performing, Teller has co-written a play incorporating magic and directed productions of Macbeth and The Tempest. Penn & Teller continue to perform together frequently. Teller currently resides in Las Vegas.
Raymond Joseph Teller Age
Raymond Joseph Teller was born on February 14, 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is currently 75 years old.
Raymond Teller’s Wife
Teller married Charla Marie Holt in 1969 when he was 21 years old. However, the marriage only lasted a few years and they divorced in 1976. In 1984, Teller married Emily Zolten. The two met through their mutual involvement in the arts scene in Philadelphia. Emily was a journalist and dancer
Raymond Joseph Teller’s Daughter
At the age of 57, Teller became a first-time father. He and Emily had a daughter named Moxie CrimeFighter Jillette in 2005.
As parents later in life, Teller and Emily cherished their “miracle” baby. Teller relished his new role as a father in his late 50s. He remarked that holding his newborn daughter gave him the greatest feeling of magic he had ever experienced.
Teller incorporated his love of magic into fatherhood. He enjoyed performing tricks to make his daughter laugh. As a toddler, Moxie contributed her giggle to Penn & Teller’s comedic magic act.
Now in her late teens, Moxie has grown up backstage at her fathers’ Las Vegas shows. Teller maintains a close bond with his only child, supporting her interests in music and art. He continues performing magic but always makes time for his daughter and wife Emily.
Raymond Joseph Teller Shows
He partnered with Penn Jillette in 1974 to form the magic duo Penn & Teller. They gained fame through appearances on talk shows and comedy clubs in the 1980s.Some of Teller’s early television appearances were on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1981 and Saturday Night Live in 1983. This exposure led to their first public television special Penn & Teller Go Public in 1985.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Penn & Teller appeared many times on Late Show with David Letterman. They had their own show Penn & Teller: Bullshit! on Showtime from 2003 to 2010.
Other shows Teller has appeared on include Hollywood Squares, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Drew Carey Show, and Dancing with the Stars. He performed magic and illusions as a frequent guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
More recently in 2022, Teller was a guest judge on the reality competition series Penn & Teller: Fool Us. He continues to work with Penn Jillette, making television appearances that showcase their unique blend of comedy and magic. Though Teller stays silent on stage, he has proven very capable of charming television audiences.
Joseph Teller’s Accident
In 1991, at the age of 43, Teller suffered a serious accident during a performance in Atlantic City. He was doing his trademark “Red Ball Trick” where he appeared to be swallowing and then regurgitating a large red ball. However, during the act, the ball became lodged in his throat and blocked his airway.
Teller struggled to breathe and lost consciousness. He fell to the floor and stopped breathing. Penn quickly realized something had gone seriously wrong and began performing the Heimlich maneuver on Teller. After several seconds that must have felt like an eternity, Penn dislodged the ball from Teller’s throat.
After being revived, Teller was hospitalized for a few days to recover from the traumatic asphyxiation and resulting anoxic brain injury. He suffered short-term memory loss but made a full recovery within a few months.
The dangerous incident could have cost Teller his life if not for his partner’s quick reaction. Teller returned to magic soon after but modified the Red Ball Trick to prevent any repeat accidents. Now in his 70s, he continues performing daring illusions with his trusted partner Penn.
Raymond Teller Talking
Teller’s trademark silence during magic performances allows him to focus the audience’s attention on the illusions rather than himself. He conveys meaning through mime and nonverbal communication on stage. In interviews and TV appearances offstage, Teller speaks eloquently.
His onstage muteness aims to build suspense and mystery around his magician persona. Remaining quiet became part of Teller’s unique brand, helping him achieve recognition as one half of Penn & Teller.
Occasionally Teller will utter a few words during live shows, such as thanking the audience. He has spoken in documentaries and interviews to explain his motivations. Teller clarified he is not actually mute but believes his silence “makes the magic more powerful” when performing.
Raymond Joseph Teller Net Worth
Through the years he has amassed an estimated net worth of around $20 million as part of the famous magic duo Penn & Teller. He has earned income through their long-running Las Vegas shows, Atlantic City performances, TV specials, and appearances. Now 75 years old, Teller continues to actively perform and entertain audiences with his unique silent magician persona, contributing to his multimillion-dollar fortune over a career spanning five decades alongside his partner Penn Jillette.