{{Short description|Australian magician}} {{COI|date=July 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2011}} {{Infobox person | name = James Galea | image = jamesgalea.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1981}} | birth_place = Sydney, Australia | known_for = 673 King St<br>Band of Magicians | occupation = Magician, illusionist, actor | website = [http://www.jamesgalea.com/ www.jamesgalea.com] }} '''James Galea''' (born 1981) is an Australian magician and actor based in Sydney and Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamesgalea.com|title=James Galea|website=www.jamesgalea.com|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Galea was introduced to the art of magic at the age of 14. He spent most of his youth studying sleight of hand magic, practicing for eight hours a day.<ref name="Iaccarino">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/i-hate-rabbits/2008/04/23/1208743016825.html|title=I Hate Rabbits|last=Iaccarino|first=Clara|date=23 April 2008|series=Theatre Review|accessdate=2009-12-10|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> He also attended Marcellin College Randwick, graduating in 1998.
== Career == In 1999, at age 18, Galea performed at James Packer's first wedding. That same year also saw him open his own stage show in Japan.<ref name="Neill">{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24704882-5013570,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912014208/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24704882-5013570,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2012|title=The Face: James Galea|last=Neill|first=Rosemary|date=29 November 2008|work=Profile|accessdate=2009-12-10|publisher=The Australian}}</ref>
In 2002, Galea became the Australian Close-Up Magic Champion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ausmagiccon.blogspot.com/2007/05/28th-australian-magic-convention-june-7.html|title=Australian Magic Conventions|last=Unlimited|first=Magic|date=2 May 2007|work=Blog|accessdate=2009-12-10|publisher=Magic Unlimited}}</ref> In 2005 and 2006, Galea headlined venues, including the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood and the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. On returning from the United States, Galea filmed a six-part series for the Nine Network titled ''Urban Magic''.<ref name="Neill" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/nine-turns-to-magic-in-ratings-bid/2006/02/04/1138958948659.html|title=Touch of Magic to Boost Nine's Ratings Bid|last=Cuming|first=Angela|date=5 February 2006|series=Television News|accessdate=2009-12-10|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/sexy-cool-magic/2009/06/25/1245522925863.html|title=Sexy, cool magic|last=Jones|first=Sarah|date=26 June 2009|series=Arts Preview|accessdate=2009-12-10|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
After a chance meeting in 2007, Galea teamed up with writer, actor, and director Nicholas Hammond to co-write the play ''Lying Cheating Bastard''. The plot follows the story of infamous Australian con-man Jimmy Garcia (aka "Cricket"), a young man drawn into the seedy underbelly of Sydney, and how he became the most successful con-man in Australia by the age of 27. The play toured around Australia to rave reviews.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/reviews/2009/05/29/2584106.htm|title=Lying Cheating Bastard|last=Armstrong|first=Anne|date=29 May 2009|work=Theatre Review|accessdate=2009-12-10|publisher=ABC North Coast NSW}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stagenoise.com/reviewsdisplay.php?id=341|title=Lying Cheating Bastard|last=Simmonds|first=Diana|date=3 July 2009|work=Theatre Review|accessdate=2009-12-10|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707190115/http://www.stagenoise.com/reviewsdisplay.php?id=341|archivedate=7 July 2009|url-status=dead|publisher=Stage Noise}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/arts-reviews/lying-cheating-bastard/2009/07/06/1246732281104.html|title=Lying Cheating Bastard|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>
In 2008, Galea premiered his one-man show ''I Hate Rabbits'' at Sydney's Enmore Theatre to a sell-out audience.<ref name="Neill" /> The show featured in the 2009 Adelaide Fringe before heading to the Forum Theatre in Melbourne as part of the 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. During the Melbourne season, Galea appeared in the nationwide broadcast of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala Show and performed his award-winning routine ''673 King Street''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.anewleaf.com.au/2009/04/08/james-galea-i-hate-rabbits/|title=James Galea I Hate Rabbits|last=Poxon|first=Kim|date=8 April 2009|series=Arts Review|accessdate=2009-12-10|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918201936/http://www.anewleaf.com.au/2009/04/08/james-galea-i-hate-rabbits/|archivedate=18 September 2009|url-status=dead|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/season/2009/show/james-galea-i-hate-rabbits/|title=James Galea I Hate Rabbits|work=Show Listing|accessdate=2009-12-10|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404003807/http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/season/2009/show/james-galea-i-hate-rabbits/|archivedate=4 April 2009|url-status=dead|publisher=Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2009}}</ref> The routine went viral on YouTube, receiving over 3.4 million views.<ref>{{Citation|last=JSKALTEN|title=James Galea (Card Trick) Comedy Festival Gala 2009|date=2009-04-02|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9lFe504i2s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/U9lFe504i2s |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=2018-02-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
He was then asked to appear on ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' where his performance of ''673 King Street'' again went viral, receiving an additional 3.4 million views on YouTube.<ref>{{Citation|last=TheEllenShow|title=Australian Magician James Galea's Unbelievable Trick|date=2010-10-11|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX7v6pK0lrU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/DX7v6pK0lrU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=2018-02-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
That same year, Rose Tinted Enterprises was founded by James Galea and producer Jo Dyer, who together brought their specific expertise in producing magic and comedy across all platforms. Galea and Dyer have since successfully produced magic-based television and theatre together, including ''Band of Magicians, I Hate Rabbits,'' ''Lying Cheating Bastard'' and ''James Galea's Best Trick Ever''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rosetintedenterprises.com/about/|title=About Rose Tinted Enterprises|website=Rose Tinted Enterprises|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>
In 2012, Galea co-hosted the Discovery Channel series ''Breaking Magic'' (also known as ''Magic of Science''), which "fused the showmanship and mystery of magic with the raw power of science", and was filmed on location in London, New York, and Warsaw.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/discovery-lifts-veil-on-breaking-magic-1118060487/|title=Discovery lifts veil on 'Breaking Magic'|last=Marechal|first=AJ|date=2012-10-09|work=Variety|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/breaking-magic-showcases-science-behind-trickery-1C6949963|title='Breaking Magic' showcases the science behind the trickery|last=Dawn|first=Randee|work=TODAY.com|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref> The series also featured Wayne Houchin, Billy Kidd, and Ben Hanlin.<ref>{{Citation|title=Danger Drop|date=November 2012|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4219516/|others=James Galea, Wayne Houchin|accessdate=2018-02-01}}</ref> During a dangerous stunt gone wrong, Galea fell 50 feet onto scaffolding and the accident proved nearly fatal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.discovery.com/emea/dsc/programs/magic-science/|title=Magic of Science : Programs : Discovery Channel : Discovery Press Web|website=press.discovery.com|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.discovery.nl/programmas/magic-of-science/|title=Magic of Science|access-date=2018-02-01|language=nl}}</ref>
In 2013, Galea teamed up with director Adam Franklin, in a partnership that would continue on future projects, to write the lyrics and music, produce, and star in the musical short film ''The Magician''. The film, which was shortlisted for Tropfest, also features Brett Loudermilk, Peter Stickles, Bonnie Morgan, Gabe Grifoni and Beejan Land.<ref>{{Citation|last=Franklin|first=Adam|title=The Magician|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3279374/|others=Bonnie Morgan, Peter Stickles, Beejan Land|accessdate=2018-02-01}}</ref>
In 2014, Galea created the magic supergroup Band of Magicians which had its world premiere at Sydney Festival. The band joined forces and performed a string of sold-out performances in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/theatre/events/37180/sydney-festival-2014-band-of-magicians|title=Band of Magicians - Sydney Festival 2014|last=|first=|date=23 October 2013|website=Time Out|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714113355/http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/theatre/events/37180/sydney-festival-2014-band-of-magicians|archive-date=14 July 2014|access-date=|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band then toured New Zealand in 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stage-and-theatre/70990564/meet-the-band-of-magicians-leader|title=Meet the Band of Magicians' leader|website=Stuff|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref> before heading to the Las Vegas Strip and setting up residency at Tropicana Las Vegas in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vegas24seven.com/the-worlds-first-magic-supergroup-band-of-magicians-announces-residency-at-tropicana-las-vegas-beginning-oct-26/|title=The World's First Magic Supergroup Band Of Magicians Announces Residency at Tropicana Las Vegas, Beginning Oct. 26|work=Vegas24Seven.com|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref> Band of Magicians has featured Justin Flom, Justin Willman, Nate Staniforth, Ben Hanlin, Brett Loudermilk, Adam Mada, Joel Ward, and Stuart McLeod.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestofvegas.com/articles/new-breed-of-magic-band-of-magicians-las-vegas/|title=A New Breed of Magic: Come See Band of Magicians in Las Vegas {{!}} BestofVegas.com|website=www.bestofvegas.com|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>
In 2015, Galea began developing an animated children's magic musical, ''I Wish I Was a Wizard''. He wrote the music and lyrics and worked on the show with his musical collaborator Ben Palacios.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rosetintedenterprises.com/#/wizard/|title=Projects|website=Rose Tinted Enterprises|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>
In 2016, Galea filmed ''James Galea's Best Trick Ever'' for ABC which premiered in Australia in 2017 and was released internationally in 2018. The show features incredible tricks and illusions from Galea,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/08/11/please-watch-this-incredible-magic-trick-and-please-tell-us-how_a_23074270/|title=Please Watch This Incredible Magic Trick And Please Tell Us How It's Done|last=Whitehead|first=Mat|date=2017-08-11|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref> in addition to astounding magic from those he interviews.<ref>{{Citation|last=James Galea|title=James Galea's Best Trick Ever - Blake Vogt Interview & Trick|date=2017-11-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gqsSUlwFi8&list=PLZ-R8xgUyAiqRPVTQTY_uQyUn0W9FrKYg&index=7 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/-gqsSUlwFi8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=2018-02-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The show pulled back the curtain on one of the world's greatest card sharks who revealed some of his most closely guarded secrets.<ref>{{Citation|last=ABC TV|title=James Galea's Best Trick Ever: Infamous Card Shark Reveals His Identity|date=2017-09-14|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6bI4YSZD9U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/k6bI4YSZD9U |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=2018-02-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Guests from season one included Blake Vogt, Todd Robbins, Anastasia Synn, Brett Loudermilk, Barry & Stuart, Chris Kenner, Dan & Dave Buck, Lawrence Leung, Adam Mada, Meir Yedid, DOC, and Rove McManus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mashable.com/2017/08/11/magic-card-trick-australia/|title=It's hard to fathom how this magic trick was even done|last=Lieu|first=Johnny|work=Mashable|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/tv/aussie-james-galea-makes-magic-on-new-abc-series-ng-b88584276z|title=Aussie James Galea makes magic on new ABC series|date=2017-09-20|work=The West Australian|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>
In 2018, ''POOF - Secrets of a Magician!'', for which Galea wrote the music and lyrics in 2012, is set to premiere at Melbourne Comedy Festival. The outrageous show ponders magic's big questions, including, "What If I Could Really Do Magic?", "Are All Magicians Gay?", and "Why All Psychics Are C&*ts" through magic, story, and songs by the piano.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://itricks.com/news/2013/01/discovery-magician-james-galea-writes-funny-foul-mouthed-magic-musical/|title=iTricks.com Magic News, Magic Videos and Podcasts » Blog Archive » Discovery Magician James Galea Writes Funny, Foul-Mouthed Magic Musical|website=itricks.com|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Poof! (A New Magical) - EP by James Galea on Apple Music|date=2012-12-09|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/poof-a-new-magical-ep/586492304|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202071742/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/poof-a-new-magical-ep/586492304|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2018|accessdate=2018-02-01}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.jamesgalea.com James Galea Official Website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Galea, James}} Category:Australian magicians Category:Male actors from Sydney Category:Living people Category:Australian people of Maltese descent Category:1981 births Category:People educated at Marcellin College Randwick