Penn Jillette

Author, “Presto!”

Penn Jillette is a cultural phenomenon as a solo personality and as half of the world-famous Emmy Award-winning magic duo Penn & Teller. In the mid-'80s, Penn & Teller went from playing the tiki lounges at various Ramada Inns to being one of the most popular, big-budget, death-defying, nightclub acts in the country. After killing it in movies and SNL appearances, the duo went on to have their own Showtime series where they attempted to debunk everything from male enhancement pills to UFO sightings. Penn has independently produced the stand up comedy tribute film, The Aristocrats, and hosts a successful podcast with Ace Broadcasting, Penn's Sunday School. Penn & Teller: Fool Us, a current CW series, began its first season in London and now it has just begun its seventh, under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas.

Everything Videos Articles

Penn Jillette: The year that shattered America’s illusions

The year 2020 will go down in history as one that shook our inner and outer worlds.

How Penn Jillette Lost 100 Lbs: I Eat What I Want by Changing What I Want

The story of the Penn Jilllette's weight loss is, as you might expect, quite extreme. In fact it was the radical nature of his diet that attracted him to it in the first place.

Is Penn Jillette the World’s First Praying Atheist?

Right before he goes to sleep every night, staunch atheist Penn Jillette does something surprising. He says a little prayer – sort of.

“What Would Jesus Do?” Is a Question for Atheists Too

Penn Jillette just got born again – but don't fortify the gates of heaven just yet, because it's his atheism that he's renewed, to account for blanket religious vilification and hate politics.

Top Video of 2016 #1: Penn Jillette on Libertarianism, Taxes, Trump, Clinton and Weed

Take a deep breath, you're in for a ride. Here is Penn Jillette on Libertarianism, taxes, Trump, Clinton, Sanders, Gary Johnson, sex, drugs and Kurt Cobain.

Why I Like Donald Trump

Penn Jillette says that despite Donald Trump’s apparent craziness, the real estate mogul’s move into entertainment is a good role for him in our culture.

Daniel Kahneman on Magic and Celebrity Apprentice

Penn Jillette: I don’t think Daniel Kahneman knew he was writing a magic book. I don’t think he knew he was writing about Celebrity Apprentice. But he might have.

Penn Jillette’s B.S. Detector

The most important thing is to feel about things you feel about – should feel about – and think about things you should think about. You should not feel about […]

Penn Jillette’s B.S. Detector

The most important thing is to feel about things you feel about – should feel about – and think about things you should think about. You should not feel about […]

Penn Jillette: There’s No War on Christmas. Let’s Spread the Joy.

Penn Jillette says there is no such thing as a war on Christmas. And yet, Jillette says we’re leaving out “close to 30 percent of the population of the United […]

Penn Jillette: Mitt Romney is Wearing Crazy Underwear (And Other Observations)

In this installment of Penn Jillette’s Atheist’s Guide to the 2012 Election, the Penn and Teller illusionist (and outspoken atheist) sizes up Mitt Romney’s religion.

Penn Jillette: An Atheist’s Guide to the 2012 Election

Penn Jillette rates Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, and the various other candidates for the U.S. Presidency in 2012 from the perspective of an atheist.

Penn Jillette: Reconciling Atheism with Libertarianism

Penn Jillette answers Big Thinker Adam Lee’s question about how he reconciles two world views: his atheism with his libertarianism.

How to Raise an Atheist Family

It can be tough, especially with young kids, because people understand atheism so poorly.

“Looks Simple”—But It Isn’t

Magic goes to eleborate lengths to make something look one way that’s really another. Penn and Teller thought it would be funny to do a magic trick that accomplished reality.

Penn and Teller’s Water Tank Trick

This trick, which they debuted on Saturday Night Live in 1986, put an unexpected twist on Houdini’s classic water tank escape.

Why Penn Doesn’t Drink or Do Drugs

Who needs drugs or alcohol when you have magic? Penn Jillette decided drugs were not for him when he was 14 years old and he saw very smart people abusing […]

Glenn Beck Is a Nut—But I Like Him

Penn says his tolerance for crazy people “is I think as high a tolerance as you’re ever going to find.”

Mistrust of Government Is a Beautiful Thing

The magician explains his libertarian beliefs and why President Obama should be “questioned and beat up.”

Why Tolerance Is Condescending

Religion can cause “good people to do bad things,” but Penn Jillette gets along better with fundamentalists than with liberal Christians who preach easy tolerance.

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