Magician
Matt Donnelly
How Matt Got Started
Matt Donnelly embarked on his magic journey relatively recently — only about five years ago — after years as a Las Vegas improv comedian. He interned on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, eventually becoming head writer and co-hosting Penn Jillette’s beloved podcast Penn’s Sunday School. One day, Penn dared Matt to “learn a goddamn trick.” Instead of mastering just one, he enlisted seven of the greatest magicians — Johnny Thompson, Mac King, Teller, Piff the Magic Dragon, and more — to each teach him something. Their collective influence birthed “The Mind Noodler.”
Influences
Matt’s roots in improv comedy taught him the power of spontaneity, audience connection, and thinking fast on his feet. That foundation — combined with the generosity and craft of legendary magicians — formed a comedic brand of magic in which the premise drives the illusion.
Noteworthy Appearances
(TV, Media, Live)
- Matt opened on tour for Piff the Magic Dragon and occasionally filled in for Mac King and Vinny Grosso in Las Vegas.
- Performed at top magic venues like The Magic Castle (Los Angeles), Chicago Magic Lounge, and House of Cards in Nashville.
- Headliner at the Second Bell Comedy Festival in Tennessee.
- Co-host of the award-winning podcast Penn’s Sunday School, host of the magic podcast Abracababble, and wrapped his ninth season as head writer of Fool Us on The CW.
- Touring now with Penn & Teller Present: The Foolers, a live show featuring magicians who’ve fooled Penn & Teller on stage.
- Named “Las Vegas’s Best Up-and-Coming Comedy Magician” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Awards & Accolades
Named “Las Vegas’s Best Up-and-Coming Comedy Magician” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Favorite Magic Trick
Matt’s favorite magic trick was taught to him by Penn: weight guessing. An interactive bit, the Mind Noodler has an audience member guess his exact weight while jokingly feeding them “mental clues.”