Warren man shows off magical world
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WARREN -- Eric Thompson's comedy and magic show has taken him all over the world, including Cuba, Africa, China and across Latin America.
"It's a visual thing so the story doesn't translate, but the act of magic does," Thompson, 58, said.
He sometimes works with a translator when performing abroad, but that complicated the timing of jokes. Still, the show has been performed in six languages and in more than two dozen nations on five continents.
Thompson developed an interest in magic as a child in Howland.
"Every little boy wants to be a magician," Thompson said. "I never grew up."
After graduating from Howland High School, 18-year-old Thompson started seriously doing magic and comedy. His first show was at the Ground Round on Youngstown Road, and he regularly performed at local spots like Skill and Kill and Godfather's Pizza.
He attended Youngstown State University and Kent State University, studying communications and business. Thompson performed at amateur nights in comedy clubs in Ohio, western Pennsylvania and western New York until the comedy boom of the 1980s led him to perform over half of the United States.
Before COVID-19 put a stop to live performances, Thompson was doing 60 to 80 shows per year.
His comedy style is improvisational, but it can be called stand-up, too, "only because you stand up," Thompson joked.
He said one of his favorite aspects of performing is being invited to interesting places and meeting people he otherwise wouldn't. He has shared the stage with Jay Leno, Andrew "Dice" Clay, Sinbad and Drew Carey, just to name a few.
"It's a blast. I have as much fun as the audience," Thompson said. "Who doesn't want to be in a room filled with laughter?"
Thompson also uses his performance to help others while seeing the world. Through his Million Miles Million Smiles tour, Thompson performs for free in village squares, churches, missions, and clinics all over the world, often teaming up with mission groups to provide groceries to families in need who attend the show.
Each year, Thompson tries to travel to a place he's never been, where the locals likely haven't had an opportunity to meet an American, or specifically an American performer. Thompson performs in exchange for lodging and meals -- leading him to stay with families, sleep on the dirt floors of churches or in orphanages, and to eat some very unusual foods.
"I get to experience the culture and go places tourists never go," Thompson said.
In Africa, Thompson had to call his magic "illusions" because of a mistrust of black magic. Some villages welcomed him, while others barred him from performing, he said.
Thompson is also the 28-year owner of Satolli Carpet and Floor Covering in Warren. He said he likes the business for the same reason he likes magic -- he gets to help people.
"People come to me with a problem -- they have a floor that's ugly -- and I get to help them," Thompson said.
Helping comes naturally to Thompson. As a child he saw his grandparents took mission trips to the Appalachian region to help others.
"There's good everywhere, if you look," Thompson said.
Thompson and his wife, Sue, have been married for 33 years. They have three adult children and six grandchildren, with another grandchild on the way. Thompson has a collection of autographed baseball memorabilia he collected with his son when the family used to attend baseball games regularly.
Thompson is also a collector of historic Trumbull County items. He has pieces of the Newton Falls covered bridge and items from the Packard Automobile.
"I like history," Thompson said. "It's accessible and it's relatable."
Thompson spends his free time with his grandchildren, the oldest of which is 12. Thompson does "whatever they want to do," taking them on adventures, walks in the woods, trips to Cleveland and Pittsburgh, or just hanging out at home.
"I've been fortunate and I've had a lot of fun," Thompson said.