Alex Magic

Alex Magic, born in 1984, is an American comedian, writer, and actor. He grew up in Reno, Nevada, the son of journalists, and developed an early interest in performance and comedy. After high school, he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he built a career in stand-up comedy, hosting a podcast, and writing for local publications. He was recognized as Portland's Funniest Person in 2018.

Magic's career also includes television work, such as bit parts in "Portlandia" and an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." His interest in scams stems from his grandfather's work as a carnival pitchman. This led to his popular video series "Is It a Scam? Yep.," where he humorously examines various fraudulent schemes and marketing tactics. He has also written about these topics for national publications and podcasts. Magic co-authored a young adult romance spoof titled "Unwrap My Heart."

Born in 1984, Alex Magic spent his formative years in Reno, Nevada. His parents, Kitty and Steve Falcone, were journalists, exposing him to the media world from a young age. During his high school years, he was involved in sketch comedy and even appeared in a television commercial. A significant influence on his later work concerning scams was his grandfather, who worked as a carnival pitchman selling various items, including magic tricks. This early exposure to salesmanship and illusion appears to have sparked Magic's enduring fascination with schemes and deception.

Magic established himself in the Portland, Oregon comedy scene, performing stand-up, hosting a podcast, and teaching comedy workshops. His comedic talent was recognized when he was named Portland's Funniest Person in 2018. He also contributed freelance articles to the "Portland Mercury." His television credits include appearances on "Portlandia" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." He created a comedy show called "Late Night Action," which parodied the late-night talk show format. In 2019, he relocated to Los Angeles to further his career.

A notable aspect of Magic's work involves his examination of scams and deceptive practices, a theme influenced by his grandfather's career. He produces a social media video series titled "Is It a Scam? Yep.," where he humorously dissects various fraudulent schemes. His content also extends to explaining common marketing tactics, such as how numerous brands for similar products are often owned by a single corporation. Magic has shared his insights on scams through writing for "Time Magazine" and discussions on Yahoo Sports podcasts. He has also written about practical topics, like finding good coffee while traveling, for "The Washington Post."