Stuart MacLeod is a Scottish-born professional magician, television producer, writer, comedian, and television personality. He is best known for Magic for Humans on Netflix,[1] The Magicians[3] and working in Scottish BAFTA-nominated duo Barry and Stuart.[4][5] Stuart was also a judge representing Scotland on CBS's The World's Best.[6]
Stuart MacLeod | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (born circa 1980)[1] Peterhead, Scotland |
| Alma mater | University of Aberdeen |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, writer, magician, comedian |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Spouse |
Jenni Melear (m. 2014) |
| Website | stuartmac |
Early life
editStuart MacLeod was born in the town of Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He attended Peterhead Academy and then studied philosophy and psychology at Aberdeen University.[7] He took an interest in magic and magicians early in his life. In 1995 and 1996, Stuart Macleod was twice awarded "Young Magician of the Year" in Scotland.[8][9][7]
Barry and Stuart duo
editStuart MacLeod and Barry Jones first met at a club for magicians in Aberdeen in 1994–1995.[10] They began as rivals and their contest reached its culmination at the Scottish Young Magician of the Year competition where Stuart and Barry both won main awards.[8] In 2002, MacLeod and Jones teamed up to form the magic duo Barry and Stuart.Soon they began making videos of magic on the streets. The duo was noticed by television production company Objective Productions which resulted in their first TV series Magick.[8] Later, the show was nominated as Best Comedy Series at the Rose d'Or.[11] Eventually, the duo became popular and MacLeod and Jones went on to make TV series and specials including Dirty Tricks,[12] The Magic of Jesus,[13] Tricks from the Bible,[14] The Magicians[3] and The Happenings (the latter was broadcast internationally on the National Geographic Channel).[15] Their live theater shows include Part Time Warlocks (first performed at Edinburgh Festival Fringe),[16] Powered by Demons (Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Soho Theatre, London).,[17] Barry and Stuart: Live[18][19] and more.
Solo career
editSince 2013, MacLeod successfully pursued solo endeavors in television and cinematography while still performing as a magician both solo and in collaboration with other illusionists. In 2013, MacLeod served as a consulting producer for The incredible Mr. Goodwin: Dangerman (5 episodes)[20] In 2015, he co-wrote (with Jenni Melear and Adrian Elizondo) and directed Funny Love, a silent short film which premiered at the Dances With Films festival in Hollywood.[21][22][23] In 2016, MacLeod performed in the T.V. series The Next Great Magician, where illusionists competed against each other for the title of Next Great Magician.[24] In 2017, MacLeod was executive producer of James Galea's Best Trick Ever (TV Series). He is co-executive producer of the Netflix series Magic for Humans, an American reality television show featuring magician Justin Willman performing tricks on the street[1][25][26] He also performed in live magic shows including Band of Magicians (Las Vegas)[27][28][29] and The Illusionists, Live from Broadway.[30][31] In 2018, Macleod featured among other famous Scots who have moved to Hollywood as part of a comedy documentary Gary Goes to Hollywood which was broadcast on BBC Scotland on December 31, 2018.[32] In 2019, MacLeod was on a panel of 50 experts from the entertainment industry (representing Scotland) in The World's Best show, a reality talent competition television series hosted by James Corden with judges Drew Barrymore, Faith Hill, and Rupaul.[33][34][35]
Personal life
editStuart MacLeod married actress Jenni Melear in 2014. They live and work in Los Angeles.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c Evening Express: Video: North-east magician helps conjure up Netflix smash hit Magic for Humans
- ^ a b "A Romantic Woodland Inspired Wedding in Shades of Orange, Peach and Buttermilk". lovemydress.net.
- ^ a b BBC: The Magicians Popular hit magic show returns to BBC One
- ^ IMDb BAFTA Awards (Scotland)
- ^ Gardner and Wife Theater: Wicked Wizards
- ^ TV Gide: Stuart MacLeod
- ^ a b About Aberdeen: Stuart MacLeod
- ^ a b c Alternatives to Valium:Barry and Stuart: Was Jesus A Huckster With Charisma, Or Were The Miracles Really Miraculous?
- ^ The Scotsman: The BBC goes over to the dark side with magicians who mix a little blood with their new tricks
- ^ The Independent: How we met: Magicians Barry and Stuart (archives)
- ^ Rose d'Or Light Entertainment Festival
- ^ The Guardian: The man with the maggots in his eyes
- ^ Sunday Times: Bible miracles? Just another magic trick
- ^ Mirror: Tricks from the Bible
- ^ "The Happenings at National Geographic". National Geographic. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014.
- ^ "Barry & Stuart: Part-time Warlocks (5 stars), Part-time warlocks, full-time fun". The List. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ "Barry & Stuart – Powered by Demons at Soho Theatre – Comedy".
- ^ LA Weekly: BARRY AND STUART, TWO OF THE DARKEST, WEIRDEST MAGICIANS IN THE U.K., PERFORM TONIGHT AT LARGO
- ^ Joe Skilton: Barry and Stuart Live
- ^ Dangerman: The incredible Mr. Goodman – Full Cast&Crew
- ^ Itricks Magic News: Funny Love Moves Stuart MacLeod From Magic To Movies
- ^ BlogCritics: DWF: Three Shorts – Fantasy, Love and Our Fragile Grasp on Reality
- ^ IndieWire: Dances With Films Festival Announces 2015 Competition Lineup
- ^ IMDb: The next great magician
- ^ Magic for Humans: full crew and cast
- ^ "'Magic For Humans' Trailer: Magician Justin Willman Dazzles Crowds on Netflix". /Film. 2018-08-10. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ Best of Vegas: A NEW BREED OF MAGIC: COME SEE BAND OF MAGICIANS IN LAS VEGAS
- ^ Las Vegas Review Journal: Four on the floor: "Band of Magicians" moving into the Trop
- ^ The CW Las Vegas: Catch groundbreaking "Band of Magicians" at Tropicana
- ^ Broadway World: BWW Review: THE ILLUSIONISTS LIVE FROM BROADWAY at Connor Palace
- ^ TribLive: The Illusionists will immerse Heinz Hall in magic
- ^ BBC Scotland: Gary goes to Hollywood
- ^ PopCulture: 'The World's Best' Judges Cringe as "Space Cowboy" Swallows 29 Swords at Once
- ^ Talent Recap: Everything We Know About 'The World's Best' So Far
- ^ CarterMatt: The World's Best: Meet the "Wall of the World" experts