1965
Starting point
I was born in Helsinki as the second child in my family. When my father was studying economics, he paid for his studies by performing magic tricks. This would later influence my own choices.
1972
The first magic trick
My dad taught me my first magic trick, which was done with a thimble, and it worked well. Even though my interest hadn't yet developed into a hobby, a spark was lit somewhere.
1977
Apprentice to legendary magician Solmu Mäkelä
Magician Solmu Mäkelä (1922–2018) was a renowned pioneer in the Finnish magic industry. When my father and I visited him, I was inspired by Solmu's intense work with playing cards and balls. I began visiting Solmu almost daily. Over the years, I also got to know his fascinating international network, as a large number of strong personalities from both the circus and entertainment world visited Solmu's home.
Photo: Leena Heiskanen
1978
Member of the Finnish Magic Circle
The Finnish Magic Circle was founded in 1945 and is an association for magicians, where we share experiences and organize training sessions. I joined the association when I was only 13 years old, and later (2006-2012) I also served as the association's chairman. Today (in 2025), Joni Pakanen is the association chairman.
Photo: Leena Heiskanen
1980
The first magic competition
As a junior, I took part in many magic competitions. I won several prizes in the Nordic Championships. At the age of 17, I competed for the first time in the World Championships (FISM) in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 2003, I won bronze in the World Championships in Holland. I haven't competed since then, but I have served as a judge on several occasions.
1984
My first international gig
There aren't that many full-time professional magicians in the world, and maybe that's why the community is so tight-knit and supportive. I have also built up an international career, and I got my first international assignment when I was 19. At the Europa Zauber Theater in Zurich, I performed 10 times a week for a whole month with both a magic and a juggling show.
1991
Graduate of the Theater Academy's acting program
I am a trained actor. My interest in theater was sparked when, at the age of 13, I had the opportunity to participate in the National Theater's production of “Hupsu kreivitär,” starring Ella Eronen in the lead role. At the time, the Theater Academy was not my only option; I was also attracted to medicine and biology. My training as an actor has been very useful in my work as a magician.
1994
The Cotton Club restaurant show
I got to know Micke Rejström while I was still a student. A few years after graduating, we collaborated on a restaurant show that combined magic and performing arts. Rejström later became my director in theater productions such as “Magisk Afton” and “Taikalisä,” which were performed at the Svenska Teatern and Teatteri Avoimet Ovet, respectively.
Photo: Charlotta Boucht.
1995
Working as an actor
The decision to apply to the Theater Academy proved to be the right one, and after my studies I worked as an actor in several theaters. At the same time, I performed as a magician in the corporate world, where there is strong demand. Later, I developed two different sides to my professional activity as a magician: one in the corporate world and the other with my theater productions. Both sides are equally important and are part of my artistic identity.
1997
A company
After completing my studies, I worked for several years as both an actor and a magician in the corporate world. Eventually, I developed the idea of working full-time as a magician and founding the company Jägerhorn Productions. During the first few years, my business was strongly rooted in the program “The Finance Lecture" and in my collaboration with Jorma Valli from the program agency ShowCompany. Nowadays, I often tailor my program according to the nature of the event.
Photo: Henrik Schütt.
2002
Awarded as Magician of the Year
The Finnish Magic Circle Association awards a number of prizes and nominations each year. I was selected as Magician of the Year in 2002 and 2017. The motivation in 2017 included: "-- continuous production of new programs and development of his own skills. --has successfully opened new doors for the domestic magic industry and attracted a new audience." In addition to working as a magician in the corporate world, I have also focused on full-length performances that combine magic with various theatrical elements.
2003
Bronze medal at the World Championships for Magicians
At the World Championships for Magicians in Holland, I won the bronze medal with my act “8 minutes to landing.” Neil Hardwick directed this comical performance, in which everything takes place in an airplane toilet and the main character experiences a number of surprising situations just before landing. In addition to Finland, the program has been performed in Belgium, Spain, South Korea, the United States, and France, among other countries.
2006
Stadra, a joint Nordic magic festival, is founded
Collaboration with magicians from the Nordic countries has always been close to my heart. In Sweden, I helped found the Stadra magic festival together with actor Magnus Wetterholm and magician Malin Nilsson. Over the years, the festival has primarily featured guest artists from the Nordic countries and Germany.
Photo: Henrik Schütt.
2009
Premiere of the magic show “Magic!”
My collaboration with Neil Hardwick has been extremely rewarding. Hardwick directed “Magic!”, which premiered at the Lilla Teatern in Helsinki (part of the Helsinki City Theater). The show also made guest appearances at the Tampere Theater Festival, the Oulu City Theater, and the “Magiaa!” festival in Pori, among others. The international version of the same show, “Waiting for Hitchcock,” was selected as “Best Magic Show” at the world's largest solo theater festival, United Solo, in New York in 2013. My guest performances also extended to Stockholm, Edinburgh, Warsaw, and London.
2017
The premiere of “ROBERT JÄGERHORN - for real?” at the Helsinki City Theater
Collaborating with directors and other magicians has always been an important part of the creative process for me. German magician Markus Zink is known in Germany for his crazy way of combining magic with comedy. In collaboration with Zink, I developed my alter ego, El Droppo, whose unbridled madness acts as a dynamic counterforce to my usually more restrained style.
2018
Collaboration with three magicians
“The Great Paradox of Play” was realized as a Nordic collaboration, with Rapid Eye Theatre as producer and Samuel Gustavsson as director. On stage, I was joined by magicians Axel Adlercreutz (Sweden) and David Tholander (Denmark) as well as musician Sture Ericson (Denmark). The playful “Magie Nouvelle” production toured Denmark and Sweden, as well as Finland, performing at Cirko in Helsinki and at the Oulu Music Festival in Oulu.
Photo: Malin Arnesson.
2018
The Magic Castle
Since 1989, I have had numerous engagements at the legendary Magic Castle in Hollywood. During my ninth visit in 2018, we did a joint show with my good friend and mentor, magician Alfonso Aceituno. I have also made guest appearances at Monday Night Magic in New York and Mystique in Stockholm.
2019
Premiere of “My Magic Double - just for fun” in New York
The United Solo Festival in New York invited me to participate in its 10th anniversary. There, the show “My Magic Double - just for fun,” directed by Markus Zink, premiered. The show is virtually wordless, contains a lot of music, and is a visual and personal show, filled with magical surprises.
2020
The first hybrid performance
The pandemic brought the event industry to a temporary halt, and we live performers were faced with a challenge: how to maintain lively interaction at a streamed gig? I have always been a strong advocate of performing in front of a physically present audience, but at a hybrid performance, part of the audience is reached via the screen. The experience was a positive surprise. During the summer, I also had a six-week engagement with Viking Line, where I performed daily in front of a smaller audience.
2022
Performances at Luckan
I had the wonderful opportunity to use Luckan's facilities in July 2022. We put together an event that featured 12 magic shows a week for four weeks, for both children and adults! I was able to reach a huge number of viewers of all ages, and we continued with a similar concept during the next two summers.
Photo: Piia-Pauliina Mäntysaari
2023
My tenth visit to Magic Castle
2023 was a celebratory year for me, as I visited the Magic Castle in Los Angeles for the tenth time in the spring. This time, I really challenged myself by doing three completely different programs in one evening. I think I did well, because my next booking has already got
booked for the summer of 2024 and 2025.
Photo: Milla von Konow
