Wonder, Curiosity: Michael Carbonaro talks about what makes life magical

But the performer and magician, with a popular TV show on TruTV, had one stop to make earlier this week - his childhood home on Long Island to mark his mom's birthday. From there, he could see the neighbor's house where his career started and he could celebrate the woman who launched it all.

After practicing various magic tricks alone in his bedroom and performing for only family and friends, Carbonaro's mom was the person to encourage him to take his talents on the road years ago. At first it was neighborhood birthday parties. Eventually, he was traveling Long Island with an outdoor show trailer, earning the money to get through New York University. Today, it's live tours, acting gigs and that popular TV show - "The Carbonaro Effect."

"That was the best idea anybody ever had," he said of his mom's suggestion. "I have made a living and life solely on performing. It's so amazing, but it's been a long road. ... I just feel so happy to have the support of my parents and amazing friends too to bridge those times when it's rough. ... I really appreciate where I am now. And I'm happy to spread that happiness with people."

Carbonaro's love of performing started when he was a child and began with passions for Halloween, horror movies and special effects. In the bathroom at home, he used to cover his face in shaving cream, pushing it and molding it to look like various characters - an old woman, for instance, or a monster. (Those shaving cream masks, he tells me, come out during the closing act of his live show).

"I had this one cape I wore - to be a magician and Dracula," he said. "I always loved those two worlds."

(When I asked his age, he said he was a 174-year-old vampire, though his mom might peg it at closer to 34 years).

Magic provided an opportunity to perform, Carbonaro tells me.

"Special effects are magic tricks. It's like doing special effects live," he said. "Special effects and make up brought me to magic. And magic really brought me to performing and acting. I found myself as a performer."

He's not sure how old he was, but he remembers watching a David Copperfield special on TV and then, following instructions in a magic book, doing his own trick for his parents.

"In front of my parents, we all colored with crayons on a piece of paper, tore it up and then I put it back together in front of them," he said. "They were both baffled. I saw how people can really be engaged in that kind of curiosity. I've been hooked ever since."

"The Carbonaro Effect," which launched in 2014 is a hidden camera show where Carbonaro is a kind prankster as people attempt to go about their business. Maybe it's somebody just trying to cash a check when Carbonaro steps in to explain a "new ordinance" where dollars can be ripped to create different bill values. (He magically puts them back together). Or a shopper at a kitchen supply store, who looks at a new "vegetable slicer." When Carbonaro shakes the slicer, which appears to be nothing more than a bag, he reveals finely cut veggies.

Carbonaro tells me that he takes inspiration from Allen Funt and his "Candid Camera." Like Funt, Carbonaro never intends for the pranks to be mean spirited. In fact, he wants his subjects to be skeptical.

The TV show has certainly built his fan base. But he loves the opportunity to meet with his fans at live shows and do the thing he's been doing for years now - surprising, entertaining, providing that sense of wonder.