We recently had the chance to connect with Fred Becker and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Fred, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. I don’t hold much higher than that. It’s the measure of someone’s true character. If you can’t be trusted, no other “qualities” really amount to much.
Since I was very young, I always heard the axiom, “the show must go on.” I have always tried to live up to that. If I made a commitment, you can be sure I will show up. It can just be a handshake agreement; it’s not in my nature to turn away from that.
Of course, it doesn’t help my work life balance that I have trouble saying, “no” to anyone. I will often take on too much than my schedule will allow. Fortunately, my wife, who is also my partner has a more level head about these things and insists I slow down. But it still gives me anxiety not to be able to take on everyone’s project that asks. Part of having integrity is saying, “If it’s the wrong fit or I don’t have time to give 100% to the client, it’s better for me to pass on the job and for them to find the person that can give it their all, at least for this particular event.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Fred Becker, and if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to pull off the impossible while keeping a straight face—and maybe cracking a joke or two along the way—well, buckle up, because that’s pretty much my day job. I’m a magician, illusionist, and all-around mischief-maker based out of Dallas, Texas, but don’t let the cowboy boots fool you; my tricks have taken me all around the world.
Picture this: I was just seven years old, growing up in Pennsylvania, when I stumbled upon my first magic trick. It wasn’t some grand Houdini escape or a vanishing elephant—it was a simple card trick that left my family wide-eyed. From that moment, I was hooked. Magic wasn’t just a hobby; it was a way to bend reality, to turn “no way!” and “how did he do that?” into cash in my pocket! I chased that spark all the way through Pennsylvania State University, where I earned a BA in Speech Communications and Broadcasting. Why? Because even back then, I knew magic is half sleight of hand and half storytelling—you’ve got to sell the wonder, not just the wow.
After college, I dove headfirst into the mystical deep end at the Chavez College of Prestidigitation and Manual Dexterity. It’s one of those ultra-exclusive spots that only takes four students a year, like a secret society for folks who can palm a coin without breaking a sweat. That training sharpened my skills: from there I was performing close-up illusions that fool the sharpest eyes, stage spectacles that leave audiences gasping, and comedy routines that have folks laughing so hard they forget to applaud. Oh, and yes, I’ve got the receipts to prove it—the Senator Crandall Award for Comedy and the Jack Gwynne Award for Magical Excellence, given to magicians who don’t just perform, but excel in every corner of the craft.
These days, you’ll often find me teaming up with my incredible wife and partner-in-mischief, Bobbie Becker. Together, we’re the dynamic duo behind Becker Magic, blending my mind-bending visuals with her powerhouse vocals for shows that are equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and utterly baffling. We’ve dazzled crowds on over 60 cruise ships—yes, I’ve got more sea stories than a pirate defending his PhD dissertation—spanning five continents and over 90 countries. From the high seas to high-stakes corporate galas, we’ve rocked stages for giants like Reese’s, FedEx, Exxon, and even the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center. Whether it’s a straitjacket escape that has everyone on the edge of their seats (and also laughing quite a lot) or enjoying Bobbie belt out a tune while stealing the show, our goal is simple: create moments that stick. Laughter that echoes, smiles that linger, and that one guest who swears they’ll never look at a deck of cards the same way again.
But here’s the real magic, if you ask me: it’s in the connection. I love pulling everyday folks into the act—turning a shy accountant into a impromptu illusionist or making a whole ballroom erupt in cheers when the CEO pulls off the impossible (with a little assist). It’s clean, family-friendly fun that leaves everyone feeling a little lighter, a little brighter, like they’ve glimpsed the extraordinary hiding in plain sight.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Yeah, that probably has to be my father. Like many people’s experiences growing up, that means it was “complicated.” My father and I had very different wants and ways of communicating.
However, he was a model of working hard. That man could work tirelessly in all sorts of harsh conditions. And not ever complain about it. And he was patient. Much more than I am naturally. If some problem cropped up, dad would look it over and then calmly work the problem, over and over until it was fixed. He wouldn’t curse or show frustration… he’d sometimes have to stop, even for days until he had the solution and then he’d be right back at it.
I have all that, at least not consistently like he did. But I do have the lesson to draw on. The model of him in my mind.
He and his father before him also taught me to stand by my word. If you made a commitment, you followed through. No excuses. That’s a pretty good legacy.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
As you might imagine; a teenager in a small town dreaming of becoming a professional magician as a career can be met with a lot of resistance. That was certainly my case. I was discouraged from seriously pursuing this path from all sides.
To be fair, Altoona, Pennsylvania was not really a gateway to the world of show business. No one in my family had done anything like this. Heck, my friend of the same age and I were pretty much the only magicians I knew! Looking back, I can see why everyone, and I mean EVERYONE thought there wasn’t a way to make a living doing what I do. (Spoiler Alert!)
Teen years are often rebellious times. Interestingly, my rebellion was to work that much harder to prove everyone wrong. I can still remember the bitter notion of “I’ll show you” in my mind. In retrospect, that probably wasn’t the healthiest mindset, but it really did put jet fuel into my engine. There was no stopping me and eventually I found like-minded entertainers that are also entrepreneurs. They helped show me that there was a way to run these skills as a business. After some sputtering starts, my career launched and never slowed down.
Ironically though, I often wonder if I HAD been supported, if instead of rebelling, I would have lost interest and ended up with a “real job” like my family probably wanted!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the Fred Becker you see on-stage is, if anything just an amplified version of me off-stage. I say “version” because socially I’m an introvert. So, you’ll see more of the real me on-stage (that’s very public) because I’m much freer when addressing a crowd. When I’m not working, you’ll find I’m probably going to be more reserved. But that is really me.
There are some people in my business that do have a “character” that they perform as. Some are like great actors; they really bring this fictitious person to life in their act. Many are extraordinary.
That hasn’t been my approach. Unintentionally, a large part of my main show has become semiautobiographical. When you put yourself into the work like that, it has an authenticity that isn’t “an act.” They come from a real place. Even if the piece is fictional, it carries a part of the author or performer with it.
Whether I’m at dinner, having a conversation, working on a business contract or up on stage in front of 3,ooo people, it’s me. There isn’t a character that’s put on like a suit. For better or worse, what you see is what you get.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Boy, that’s a question!
In a sense, I’ve been asking a version of this for a while now. My question is a little softer, which is, “What does retirement look like?” I love the work I do. I travel to amazing places, meet wonderful people, and perform my show which seems to make people happy.
I would stop doing that, to do what??? I really haven’t come up with an answer.
Therefore, to answer your rather grim question, I wouldn’t want to stop working. I suppose, I might stop worrying about certain things. I’d prioritize all the great stuff I could cram into that decade and treat as many of my friends and family to some good times.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fredbecker.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realbeckermagic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckermagic/
- Twitter: https://x.com/realbeckermagic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beckermagic/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/becker-magic-dallas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/fredbecker4
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9302889/?ref_=fn_all_nme_2
Image Credits
Richard Faverty – Beckett Studios
Scott Deyett – inHouse Graphics
MacKenzie Becker
