Angie Reinoehl/MDN Magician Michael Mezmer, behind, performs a spoon-bending trick with assistance from audience member Ella Anderson, front.

Master of magic Michael Mezmer has been dazzling audiences across the globe for more than five decades and has made a pit stop on his summer tour at the North Dakota State Fair.

For Mezmer, showbiz was a family affair. As a young child his older brother would drag him along to auditions where he eventually landed a role in a musical production of “The Wizard of Oz” alongside the star Connie Stevens at the age of six. He started practicing magic at 11 and dove into performing professionally at 16.

The phenomenist started practicing hypnosis during his time in Asia after watching religious trance ceremonies in Thailand and Indonesia. He studied with top teachers at Chavez College of Magic, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has taken lessons from the world-famous David Blaine.

During his family-oriented show, “Imagicnation” he performs various illusions such as rope magic, escapism, spoon bending and even makes it “snow” onstage in the blazing summer heat.

Mezmer also shares the story of the infamous magician, Harry Houdini, who came from a poor immigrant family, “He (Houdini) became the greatest star in show business history. What that means is for you kids in the audience, no matter where you come from, no matter how poor your family might be, you can be anything you want to.”

During his high adrenaline “Danger Magik” show Mezmer swallows razor blades, does a bullet catch, plays Russian roulette with a staple gun and drives spikes through his arm.

Mezmer has traveled the world performing his magic, having done shows in 25 different countries and has performed for high profile celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Princess Grace and Elizabeth Taylor.

Mezmer said some demonstrations take years to develop while some come quick and easy. His razor blade routine took five years of combining different techniques from various magicians and putting them together in his own way. Though he’s been doing magic for 50 years he never stops learning new tricks and cool illusions.

“I wanted to make something really different. … It’s a recipe of making the right ingredients and combining them correctly to make a good routine.

Though traveling the world and meeting celebrities is certainly a perk of the job, Mezmer said he does magic to create a sense of wonder in the audience, “I love to see people be happy. … I like to assist people in becoming happy.”

Mezmer’s shows can be viewed today on Stage 1 at the State Fair at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6 p.m.