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Introduction
Christopher David Funk (Born November 13, 1976), better know by the stage name Chris Funk- The Wonderist, is a Canadian magician, illusionist, mentalist, and musician. Funk began his career in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where he still resides and maintains his base of operations. He is known for his atypical tricks and interactive multimedia shows.

Early life
Chris Funk was born on November 13, 1976, in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada. He grew up in the River Heights neighbourhood and jumped from school to school due to bullying. After playing the violin from the age of 6, Funk quit at 16, when he learnt his first card trick and discovered magic. He has since taken up violin again and incorporates it into his live shows.

Career
Funk worked as an educational assistant with special needs elementary school students, before taking a job as marketing manager for a Winnipeg dental centre. He performed his first paying gig on October 31, 1995 and started as a semi-professional magician in 2000, performing for various businesses and corporations.

In 2009, Funk became a full-time magician, performing for larger corporations and at larger venues across Canada. He adopted the mantle of “Wonderist,” which he describes as “one who uses intuition, influence, illusion, and side-splitting humour, to create a truly unique audience experience.”

In November 2013, producers for a new SyFy program called “Wizard Wars” contacted Funk via e-mail. With one reply, he was booked without having to audition, beating out 250 other acts in the process. Funk appeared in the series premier, entitled “Spam-Tastic,” alongside fellow Canadian magician, Ekaterina. On August 17, 2015, Funk appeared in season 2, episode 7 of “Penn and Teller: Fool Us,” wherein he and 4 fellow magicians attempted to baffle the magic duo with their own tricks.

Funk also appeared in the 2012 short “Pick a Card, Any Card,” which highlights the Winnipeg magic scene. He has also appeared numerous times on the now defunct “Breakfast Television,” as well as the Winnipeg CTV network morning news show.

Tricks
Funk’s tricks leave behind the classic “pull a rabbit out of a hat” style of magic and favour a more modern, style influenced take on the genre. They range from sophisticated mentalist-style techniques, to light-hearted slight-of-hand and misdirection, to large-scale set piece illusions.

Personal life
Funk resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with his wife, Charity, and their two dogs.

During a live show on January 17, 2015, Funk suffered a partially ruptured Achilles tendon while performing a common magic trick known as “The Lean.” He finished the show, but spent the next 4 months undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Filmography
Pick a Card, Any Card (2012 Short, self) Wizard Wars (S1E1, self) Fool Us (S2E7, self)