Talk on the Wild Side - Gerry McCambridge

A very warm welcome to my brand new entertainment interview series 'Talk on the Wild Side' and a very special welcome to my first guest, all the way from Las Vegas, the Mentalist himself, Gerry McCambridge.

Gerry is a professional mentalist who currently headlines nightly at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas Strip. He is also the proud father of six children and grandfather of three. A professional mentalist for over 20 years, Gerry is originally from Long Island, New York. He was born on Halloween in 1962. At the age of 8 years, he was given a magic kit for Christmas. By the age of 9 years, Gerry had become fascinated by magic and a budding career was starting to emerge.

"My older brother had a vending machine pocket trick called a 'Wonder Wallet' which would make a coin disappear. I played with it when he wasn't looking and figured it out. I loved fooling my friends with it. I then saw a TV commercial for a deck of TV Magic cards. I purchased them and loved the fact that I could do a few different tricks with it. From there, I started going to the library and taking out books on magic as a hobby."

When Gerry celebrated his 12th birthday, his brother gave him a ticket to see the late Canadian magician and illusionist Doug Henning on Broadway.

"After seeing Doug Henning on Broadway in 1974 I always dreamed of being on stage performing as a magician. When I saw Doug on Broadway, I knew what I wanted my hobby to become."

Gerry's father was a New York City detective who was an expert at interrogation. Gerry learned some of his skills as a mentalist from observing his father.

"My father would use his psychological interrogation tricks on my older brother and sister to catch them with lies. It was something I learned by watching over many years. It was not as effective on me :-)"

Gerry began to study memory techniques, body language and comedy, all of which he was to use during his shows. Gerry's first show was at the age of 12 years.

"It was a girl's slumber birthday party. I told the girl's father I wanted $2.50 for a half-hour show. He handed me $5 and told me to keep the girls busy while he played cards in the kitchen with his friends. The next day I took the money to a sign shop and had him make up a sign advertising my services as a magician. I convinced the local candy store owner to put the sign in his window."

Gerry started touring the country at the age of 15 years.

"I was apprenticing with other magicians to learn everything I could about my craft. Two of them were touring magicians who would perform at State Fairs, Colleges, indoor Circuses, etc. I would travel with them as their roadie and on stage assistant. Eventually one of them would let me perform a spot in his show as a featured young and upcoming magician. Lots of miles travelling from state to state in the back of a van loaded with props."

In the 1980s Gerry starred as 'The Mentalist' in the comedy clubs around the country.

"My very first club was in New York City. I was a middle act. The response was ok. I did that a few times and quickly tweaked the effects I was doing. I quickly moved up to the headliner spot because comics refused to follow me. I headlined for years, which helped me develop my timing needed for improvisation."

In 1999 Gerry won the Merlin Award.

"The Merlin Award to magic is what the Oscar is to the movies, what the Emmy is for television, and what the Tony is for theater. I received one for 'Mentalist of the Year' and one for 'Mentalist of the Decade'."

In 2002 Gerry wrote his first TV script titled 'The Mentalist' and took it out to Los Angeles, with the aim of pitching it to the networks. Jeff Zucker, the president of NBC had seen many of Gerry's live shows and immediately bought the show. Gerry became the creator, executive producer and star of what became a hit prime-time television show, 'The Mentalist'. It aired in 2004.

"I went from being a corporate performer known in the US to a TV performer known internationally overnight. The airing of my TV special was my turning point. After the TV show, I was scheduled to go to Las Vegas to look for a job. My wife got pregnant and I wanted to be there when the baby was born, so I put Vegas on hold, and opened off Broadway in New York City. At the end of the Summer, I closed the show, and two days later my 6th child, Luke Vegas McCambridge was born. Soon after, I went to Vegas and landed my first job."




Gerry has headlined in Las Vegas ever since. I asked him how his day plays out.

"I get up and help get the kids ready for school. I drive them to school and get a coffee. I spend time with my wife as she gets ready for work. After she leaves, I go to my desk and operate my internet business. I also use that time to build new props and routines for the show. At 3.00pm I pick up the kids from school and take them for an after school snack. After the snack, we do homework, soccer, band practice etc. When my wife comes home from work, I shower and head to the showroom. I perform my show, take pictures with the fans and head home. I unwind in bed with a snack while watching TV. Fall asleep and wake to do it all over again."

I wondered how Gerry managed to relax.

"I love to play on my computer. Sitting in Starbucks with a cup of coffee and my iPad is also something I love doing."

I also asked Gerry about his favourite food.

"Chicken cutlets. Pizza or a good steak, with creme brulee for dessert."

In 2008 CBS sought Gerry's help with their concept of merging the skills of a mentalist with a detective for a television series. 'The Mentalist' is now a successful TV show starring Simon Baker as the mentalist Patrick Jane.

"I actually pitched the idea for a TV show called 'The Mentalist' to CBS in 2003. Unfortunately for them, NBC optioned the show before CBS was able to make me an offer. Years later, CBS decided to revisit the idea and called me and asked for help promoting the show before the very first episode aired. They wanted a real mentalist promoting the show since Simon Baker is just an actor and had no mentalist training. I watch the show on occasion."

I wondered if Gerry ever used his mentalist skills at home to help get him out of trouble.

"Actually, my skills at home cause more trouble than they are worth. I try to leave the mental manipulation at the theater, because every time it creeps into my personal life, it causes havoc!"

Gerry's show can be seen at the Planet Hollywood casino. If you are in Las Vegas, be sure to check it out.



Sadly, Gerry's father very recently passed away. I know that he was a great influence and Gerry learned so much from him. With Gerry's agreement, I dedicate this interview to Gerry's father.