The Touching Story Behind Penn Jillette's Red Fingernail Will Make You Emotional
While watching the brand new season of Penn and Teller: Fool Us Monday night on The CW, take a second to check out Penn Jillette's left hand. On his ring finger, you'll notice that the nail is painted bright red.
It's something fans of the famous magician have been wondering about since he and his silent partner Raymond Teller got their big break in the mid-1980s. Some have theorized that the red-painted fingernail is used in some of his tricks, while others have concluded that it's nothing more than a personal fashion choice.
The truth is though, there's actually a much deeper reason why Penn paints his ring finger before stepping on stage. As the Las Vegas performer revealed back in 2012, it has nothing to do with making a fashion statement and everything to do with his family.
"People asking about my red fingernail. It's for my mom. I wear my dad's ring and my mom's nail polish. It reminds me of them. Momma's boy," he tweeted.
People asking about my red fingernail. It's for my mom. I wear my dad's ring and my mom's nail polish. It reminds me of them. Momma's boy.
- Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) May 14, 2012
According to the New York Post, Penn's mom would always tell the juggler that he needed to keep his hands looking neat for the audience. The red fingernail has since become his way of honoring his mom's advice.
Upon learning Penn's explanation, many fans expressed how much they admired his intentions. "Dude thats awesome. Very unique way to remember moms :)" one fan said, while another claimed that his reasoning was "the sweetest thing" that they had read.
The magician has always been very open about the tremendous love he had for his mother, Valda, who died at the age of 90 in 2000.
"My mother was everything to me. My mother and I were the same person - no doubt about it," Penn told Lancaster Online. "She was a little old lady; I was a big hippie. We were the same person. All the important decisions made in my life, before she died, were run by my mom."
Penn has also had nothing but nice things to say about his late dad, Samuel. All in all, he told the Los Angeles Times that he was aways "proud" of his two parents and that they "loved him" and "loved each other."
What a beautiful tribute.
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