Corky Withers/Fats (played by Anthony Hopkins) is a protagonist in Magic.
A struggling magician and ventriloquist whose severe mental illness manifests as Fats, a foul-mouthed dummy representing his id. He achieves success but flees a TV deal to avoid a medical exam, leading to tragic events including murder and his eventual suicide. Peggy Ann Snow (played by Ann-Margret) is a protagonist in Magic.
Corky's former high-school crush trapped in a loveless marriage. She becomes romantically involved with Corky after a card trick, but later rejects him upon discovering his manipulative methods, ultimately deciding to leave with him before the climax. Ben Greene (played by Burgess Meredith) appears in Magic.
Corky's talent agent who is preparing to secure a television deal for him. Upon confronting Corky and discovering his fractured mental state, he leaves to contact doctors but is subsequently murdered by Corky using Fats' wooden head. Duke (played by Ed Lauter) appears in Magic.
Peggy's husband and Corky's high school friend. He suspects infidelity and confides his fears to Corky by the lake. After discovering Greene's body, he is stabbed to death by Fats while Corky assists. Merlin (played by E.J. André) appears in Magic.
Corky's mentor who advises him to develop a new gimmick following a failed professional magic performance, prompting Corky's transformation into a ventriloquist act.
Magic (1978) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Corky Withers/Fats
(played by Anthony Hopkins) — protagonist
A struggling magician and ventriloquist whose severe mental illness manifests as Fats, a foul-mouthed dummy representing his id. He achieves success but flees a TV deal to avoid a medical exam, leadin...
Peggy Ann Snow
(played by Ann-Margret) — protagonist
Corky's former high-school crush trapped in a loveless marriage. She becomes romantically involved with Corky after a card trick, but later rejects him upon discovering his manipulative methods, ultim...
Ben Greene
(played by Burgess Meredith) — supporting
Corky's talent agent who is preparing to secure a television deal for him. Upon confronting Corky and discovering his fractured mental state, he leaves to contact doctors but is subsequently murdered...
Duke
(played by Ed Lauter) — supporting
Peggy's husband and Corky's high school friend. He suspects infidelity and confides his fears to Corky by the lake. After discovering Greene's body, he is stabbed to death by Fats while Corky assists.
Merlin
(played by E.J. André) — supporting
Corky's mentor who advises him to develop a new gimmick following a failed professional magic performance, prompting Corky's transformation into a ventriloquist act.
Key Relationships
Corky Withers/Fats → Corky Withers/Fats
(Meta Alter Ego)
Corky Withers/Fats → Duke
(Social High School Friend)
Peggy Ann Snow → Duke
(Family Husband)
Corky Withers/Fats → Peggy Ann Snow
(Romantic Crush)
Corky Withers/Fats → Ben Greene
(Professional Client)
Corky Withers/Fats → Merlin
(Professional Mentor)
Story Analysis
A magician's descent into split personality driven by repressed desires and magical deception.
