The Belgravia Centre Blog

Flamboyant magician Penn Jillette, the outspoken half of the edgy magic duo Penn and Teller, has given up his trademark ponytail in aid of Locks of Love, a nonprofit organisation that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the US and Canada who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

Jillette allowed his silent partner Teller to chop 10 inches off the ponytail, which he had been growing for 25 years, during a Cut-A-Thon at the Rio Spa and Salon, Las Vegas. He was moved to participate because one of his coworkers at the Rio, where the comedy-magic duo are in residence, has a granddaughter currently undergoing chemotherapy. She is expected to make a full recovery, but all the long-haired employees at the Rio were asked to donate some hair in her name.

“I don’t think a two-year-old would look good in my long curly hair, but I hope someone can use it,” Jillette said. “There’s no panic; I can give 10 inches and still have enough left for a ponytail to hide my microphone cables. We all wish her the best.”