Meet Jeff Hobson | Magician, Comedian & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Hobson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Being an only child, I had lots of time to myself. At age 7, I saw a magician perform at my school. The wonder and joy I felt during that show I wanted to instill in others so I immediately made the decision to become a magician myself. It was also a perfect form of escapism. The gunshots heard around the neighborhood many nights frightened me. My family was on the welfare system. I knew that I wanted more out of life. At age 11, I performed my first magic show for kids on my block. At age 12, I was offered five dollars to perform at a birthday party. By the time I graduated high-school, I was the busiest magician in the metro Detroit area. All along the way, my Father, a visually-handicapped machine-shop worker, encouraged my dream of being a magician. As I look back, I realized that was a huge advantage as most parents would rather their child be a doctor or lawyer. It was only at age 26, as I took my Father out to have our first beer together that he confided to me that he always had a dream of being a magician himself. Even though he’s been gone for 8 years, I know he’s still smiling at me. For the past 40 years, I’ve headlined show on the Las Vegas Strip, toured around the world with the hit show, The Illusionists including two seasons on Broadway. I currently own my own theater in La Quinta, California. Thanks Dad

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As much as I hate to toot my own horn, I believe that I’ve had such a string of show business successes is due to the fact that I’m fiercely stubborn. When I want something, I’m obsessed about getting it. If it doesn’t happen, it just makes me try harder on the next round. Success – let me be more specific – lasting success is never easy. No one should ever tell children otherwise about big dreams and big goals. If it’s too easy – it just isn’t worth having. If you put the hard work in, it will come back to you. You know Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers? When he speaks of true successes are people who put in 10,000 hours into their career or passion? Well, I clocked in my 10,000 hours into magic the time I was 18. Lastly, and I believe most importantly, one should never view themselves as a victim of society. There were plenty of times when I failed or when my environment and surroundings could’ve gotten the best of me. I just took it upon myself to realize that I was the only one responsible for my future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being in pandemic, the choices are massively restricted. However, AFTER we all get out and do stuff, I would start with a tour around the Coachella Valley, CA. There’s a ton of history in and around Palm Springs that is fascinating to Baby Boomers like me. We can take a tour of homes and eating places of the likes of Frank Sinatra and his friends. Being a lifelong magician, I would take friends to visit the Magic Castle in Hollywood. There’s no place like it on earth! And, if I can be selfish, I could encourage my friends to go with me to Six Flags / Ventura. I’m a roller-coaster junkie and besides Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio, Six Flags has to be the best selection of coasters in the world. Finally, since I like so many foods and so many restaurants, I would let my friends tell me what type of food they want and then I would take them to the best of that genre.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, Yvonne. For an extremely-talented mechanical engineer to drop her career and share in my dream by taking first first major gig in Las Vegas, I could never thank her enough. We’ve been married 28 years with 3 of the best children a parent could ever ask for. Our secret of a great marriage?….. she makes me laugh and I don’t correct her golf swing.

Website: www.JeffHobson.com / www.MarvynsMagicTheater.com
Instagram: @MarvynsMagicTheater
Twitter: @THEjeffHobson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeffHobsonOfficial
Other: Great reviews – TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32584-d19037901-Reviews-Marvyn_s_Magic_Theater-La_Quinta_Greater_Palm_Springs_California.html