Penn Jillette is a cultural phenomenon as a solo personality and as half of the world-famous magic duo Penn & Teller, notable for their Emmy Award-winning work and their ongoing residency as headliners in Las Vegas. Their career trajectory spans from their humble beginnings busking on the streets of Philadelphia to acclaimed sold-out runs on Broadway, culminating in one of the most beloved resident headlines acts in Las Vegas history, continually redefining the genre of magic.
Their current hit series "Penn & Teller: Fool Us!" for The CW Network, on which up-and-comers and magic veterans try to fool Penn & Teller for a chance to star in the pair’s hit Las Vegas stage show, was nominated for a Critic’s Choice Award and returned for an eighth season in late 2021. In addition to this, Jillette has notably appeared on popular shows such as "Fallon," "Friends," "The Simpsons," "Colbert," and "Modern Family." Furthermore, Jillette notably participated in reality shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Celebrity Apprentice," making a particularly impressive performance in the latter by finishing in second place. The duo's own specials for NBC, ABC, PBS, and Comedy Central have garnered them an Emmy and a Writer’s Guild Award. They have also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
They achieved controversial notice with their Showtime series, "Penn & Teller: BS!" which was nominated for 13 Emmys and went on to become the longest-running series in the network's history. Jillette has also developed a reputation as an author, having written eight books, including the New York Times Bestsellers “God No!” and “Presto." Alongside his literary work, Jillette has dabbled in television hosting, notably for the NBC game show "Identity."
In recent years, Jillette and Teller have turned their hands to documentary filmmaking. Their BAFTA-nominated Sony Pictures Classic release Tim’s Vermeer was met with critical acclaim, as was their feature film The Aristocrats and the Showtime short "The Gambler’s Ballad." Jillette has made significant contributions to other documentaries, including "Eating You Alive" and "J.R. ‘Bob’ Dobbs and the Church of the SubGenius."
Offstage, Jillette is known for his advocacy of atheism, scientific skepticism, and the First Amendment, which is often reflected in his publications and public speaking engagements. He previously identified as a libertarian, even serving as a fellow at the Cato Institute, but has since distanced himself from the position. This shift was evident in his endorsement of Andrew Yang in the 2020 Democratic primary and subsequent vote for Joe Biden in the 2020 general election.
In 2020, Penn & Teller celebrated 45 years of professional partnership, marking their considerable influence in the world of magic and beyond.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Penn Jillette and other top speakers and celebrities.