Bernie Shine

Bernie Shine began his career in the 1970s as a law student and magician, frequenting the Close-Up Room at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. During this period, he was mentored by notable figures in conjuring such as Dai Vernon, Francis Carlyle, and Senator Clark Crandall. Shine distinguished himself through original effects and a unique fusion of close-up magic and mentalism. A caricature of Bernie Shine, commissioned by the Magic Castle and drawn by Ted Salter in 1972, was displayed there for 47 years and featured in the 1988 book “The Magic Castle Walls of Fame.” Early in his career, he performed for convention groups at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas.

Shine’s career highlights include a notable performance at the UnCabaret in downtown Los Angeles in 2013, where he linked and unlinked three audience members’ rings. Celebrities like Tippi Hedren, Loni Anderson, and Richard Chamberlain were present at this event. In 2017, he hosted a series of Magic Salons at The Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. His work has extended to media, including a cameo in The Pixies’ music video for “On Graveyard Hill,” released on July 17, 2019. Further showcasing his versatility, Shine participated in the Haute Dog | LA event on October 20, 2019, an event that blended celebrity appearances with fundraising for Canine Companions for Independence.

Bernie Shine continues to perform, including special holiday events. In December 2019, he performed magic with Jeff Ross at Jeff’s Special Holiday Event in Studio City, California, where he was the sole magician among comedians like Seth Green and Bill Burr. Throughout his career, Shine has maintained a preference for quietly chosen venues and intimate, inexplicable performances, steering clear of typical promotional platforms.