in a profile for the "new yorker", mark singer called jay "perhaps the most gifted sleight of hand artist alive." in addition to sleight of hand, jay was known for his card tricks, card throwing, memory feats, and stage patter. he had also written extensively on magic and its history. his acting credits included "the prestige", "the spanish prisoner", "mystery men", "heist", "boogie nights", "tomorrow never dies", "house of games", "magnolia", and "deadwood." in 2015, jay was the subject of an episode of pbs' "american masters", making him the first magician to have ever been profiled in that series.