Actor and magician Ricky Jay of Boogie Nights and Deadwood fame has passed away at the age of 72 

Magician and actor Ricky Jay has died at the age of 72.

Famous for his roles in Boogie Nights and Deadwood, the artist passed away at his home in Los Angeles.

Michael Weber, Jay’s partner in the Deceptive Practices company, tweeted, ‘I am sorry to share that my remarkable friend, teacher, collaborator and co-conspirator is gone.’ 

RIP: Magician and actor Ricky Jay has died at the age of 72

According to his manager, Winston Simone, he died of natural causes and his attorney Stan Coleman confirmed his death. 

Variety noted that Simone said of Jay, ‘He was one of a kind. We will never see the likes of him again.’ 

Jay was well known for his abilities as a magician, and Mark Singer referred to him as ‘perhaps the most gifted sleight-of-hand artist alive’ in a 1993 New Yorker profile.

In the same article, Steve Martin, with whom he starred in Leap of Faith, said, ‘I sort of think of Ricky as the intellectual élite of magicians. 

‘I’ve had experience with magicians my whole life. He’s expertly able to perform and yet he knows the theory, history, literature of the field. Ricky’s a master of his craft. ‘

Will be missed: Famous for his roles in Boogie Nights and Deadwood, the artist passed away at his home in Los Angeles

Will be missed: Famous for his roles in Boogie Nights and Deadwood, the artist passed away at his home in Los Angeles

COD: According to his manager, Winston Simone, he died of natural causes and his attorney Stan Coleman confirmed his death

COD: According to his manager, Winston Simone, he died of natural causes and his attorney Stan Coleman confirmed his death

Jay’s first televised appearance came on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson back in October of 1970.

He went on to star in a number of David Mamet films including House of Games, The Spanish Prisoner, Things Change, Redbelt, and State and Main.

One of his best remembered roles was as the cinematographer in Boogie Nights and he also appeared in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia.

In Deadwood, he played Eddie Sawyer during the show’s first season, and also wrote for the series.

Enormous talent: Michael Weber, Jay's partner in the Deceptive Practices company, tweeted, 'I am sorry to share that my remarkable friend, teacher, collaborator and co-conspirator is gone'

Enormous talent: Michael Weber, Jay’s partner in the Deceptive Practices company, tweeted, ‘I am sorry to share that my remarkable friend, teacher, collaborator and co-conspirator is gone’

Gifted: Variety noted that Simone said of Jay, 'He was one of a kind. We will never see the likes of him again

Gifted: Variety noted that Simone said of Jay, ‘He was one of a kind. We will never see the likes of him again

Born Richard Jay Potash in Brooklyn, New York, Jay first learned magic from his grandfather.

He founded the Deceptive Practices company with Weber in the early 90s, and they provided solution to production challenges for movies such as Forrest Gump, Congo, and The Prestige.

He also wrote a variety of books and was the focus of a number of other New Yorker articles. 

Many talents: Born Richard Jay Potash in Brooklyn, New York, Jay first learned magic from his grandfather

Many talents: Born Richard Jay Potash in Brooklyn, New York, Jay first learned magic from his grandfather

Solutions: He founded the Deceptive Practices company with Weber in the early 90s, and they provided solution to production challenges for movies such as Forrest Gump, Congo, and The Prestige

Solutions: He founded the Deceptive Practices company with Weber in the early 90s, and they provided solution to production challenges for movies such as Forrest Gump, Congo, and The Prestige

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk