Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Q+A:

Headliner Penn Jillette regrets ‘not doing more of nothing’

Penn Jillette in black and white

Opportunity Village

Penn Jillette presents a check to Opportunity Village.

Editor’s Note: With the close of 2014, here is the next in our series of candid Q&As with 14 prominent Nevada personalities, who were asked to answer 14 questions in 14 or fewer words.

Penn Jillette, Illusionist, comedian, headliner at the Rio

What modern-day invention can you not live without?

Agriculture. It's really important.

If you could meet anyone — living or dead — who would it be, and what’s the first question you would ask them?

My friend Joan Rivers — "Can we talk?"

Name your favorite television series and why?

"Perry Mason." They were not afraid to have a lot of dialogue and be obtuse.

What moral values are essential for a successful career?

Love.

How do you define happiness?

Love.

How do you defuse stress or tension?

Love.

What is your favorite pick-up line?

(Someone used it on me one night after our show) "#@$% me if I'm wrong, but is your name Debbie?"

Any guilty pleasure(s)?

Fat and salt and "Castle." Nathan Fillian is so cute.

What is your most embarrassing public moment?

They're nightly at the Penn & Teller Theater. I make money off of all of them.

What words best describe the city you live in?

Humble.

What is the most difficult task you’ve accomplished this year?

Getting a feature-length movie crowdfunded and shot.

What is the most important topic for the Nevada Legislature to address during the 2015 session?

Same as every session: more freedom. Trust the individual.

Any regrets this past year?

Not doing more of nothing. This interview is cutting into my nap time.

What is your top priority moving into 2015?

To make it to 2016.

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