About Anderson

Scott Anderson was born and raised in the state of Oregon. He joined the Army right out of high school as a Military Policeman. His route into performing magic was a direct result of his military service (your tax dollars hard at work!). After a year in Korea, and a few years at Ft. Lewis, Washington, William was assigned duties as a D.A.R.E. officer on post. He would travel around the five elementary schools on the installation teaching classes on the dangers of drugs and gangs. He first started learning magic tricks as a classroom tool to keep the students’ attention. Eventually, he began to perform at birthday parties as a side job, which led to more jobs, such as working magic in restaurants. As luck would have it, while working slight of hand magic in a local restaurant, Scott was befriended by one of the best slight of hand artists in the country, Steve Dobson. Steve was eager to share his knowledge of the craft with his “prize” student, and it wasn’t much longer before Scott was purchasing his first illusions. The more he performed, the bigger his shows and his audiences became. Eventually, he started performing for large corporations and public events under the stage name “Scott Slights.”

William was honorably discharged from the Army in July of 2001. He moved back home to Oregon, and joined the National Guard as a flight medic. That August, he received great reviews after performing at the Oregon State Fair. His world of magic seemed to be skyrocketing. Then came September 11, 2001. Within a month, Scott was back on active service. For 21 months Scott was activated, serving at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas, Fort Bragg in North Carolina, and with the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan. During his spare time in Afghanistan, Scott performed numerous magic shows for his fellow soldiers as well as the many Afghan children that were being taken care of at the Army Hospital. He even got to meet and perform for Robin Williams when he came over to visit the troops. After he returned home in June of 2003, Scott continued to serve with the National Guard, and became a full time college student, all while continuing to perform his magic shows on the side. After a year and a half of school, the National Guard offered Scott a position as a Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot. He packed his bags and moved to Southern Alabama for the Army’s flight school. While in Alabama, Hurricane Katrina came in and destroyed much of the Gulf Coast. For reasons still unknown to him, Scott had brought his show down to Alabama with no intention of performing. After Katrina, and wanting to help out, William teamed up with a good friend, Mark Huber, who is a chef and owner the elaborate “Rawls Restaurant” in Enterprise, Alabama. The two of them put on a series of dinner theaters with the proceeds going to benefit hurricane relief charities.

After graduating from flight school, Scott returned home to Oregon where he resumed college full time. Nowadays Scott flies for the National Guard and volunteers as a Firefighter/Paramedic. He is also performing more than ever, booking everything from birthday parties, school assemblies, and large stage theaters.

On his most recent deployment to Iraq Scott beat out 57 different acts to win the Military’s version of America’s Got Talent with a comedy/magic act that he created to entertain the troops.  He then returned home to compete in the hit television show America’s Got Talent making it to Vegas and into the top 50 of 70,000 acts!!!

  1. Georgina Kelly says:

    I just viewed Willian Scott Anderson on the Nightly News with Brian Williams. How touch it was to see these little children laugh. My thanks to Mr. Anderson for making a difference, as an American I am so proud of him, and I thank him for his service.
    Georgina Kelly

  2. Dixon Andrews says:

    Scott,

    Awesome! Just Awesome!

  3. Wesley Timmothy Monroe says:

    just watched NBC news…I would love to donate…he and I have the same emotions as far as helping children, and what a bonus to be delivered by our army…please tell me how.

  4. Thank you William for being such a wonderful person you are. More power.

  5. D. Ripley says:

    The World needs a lot more people like you in it.

  6. Courtney Buel says:

    Scott,
    This is so awesome!! On facebook, Liz Peterson had a link to your Nightly News spot, and it’s so incredible. Nice work!!

  7. JIM Hall says:

    Great Job, I too Am a FIREFIGHTER / MEDIC / MAGICIAN.. and a FATHER…. nothing like making a KID SMILE… and remember HES CHILD……

  8. Just wanted to say that you have a lovely blog keep up the good work !

  9. Mark Paulson says:

    I just saw you perform at Kramien’s Magic Jamboree on Friday night and had to say thanks! Your performance was inspiring! And thank you for your service!

  10. Denise Mann says:

    Oh my goodness, he grew up next door to us and he would always pop in and out of our house similar to Dennis The Mennis and he would always say to us ” Hi, it’s your favorite neighbor” I knew then he was a special kid and I am so proud that he continues to be America’s favorite neighbor! We love him! Go Scott!

  11. I grew up across the street from this kid! Congrats to you on all your success. Scott, get in touch! :)

  12. Collin Acciaioli says:

    I just watched you on americas got talent and i want to say you have inspired me. I have always wanted to fly helicopters in the military and now i know, thanks to you, that i want to be a flight medic. I know you are probably busy but i would love to talk. Good luck and god bless!

  13. Watched William Scott Anderson on America’s Got Talent… I will be cheering for him the whole way. Hope he goes far.

  14. Hey Kari!! How have you been? Here’s me getting in touch, my phone number is on the webste, seriously call me sometime. Is your family still in Aurora?

  15. HAHAHA! Hello Denise, sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to this. Things have been pretty crazy since America’s Got Talent. Dennis the Mennis….lol I am still your favorite neighbor.
    Scott

  16. This guy is amazing. I’ve met him personally & can’t thank him enough for serving our country!!! God bless you!

Leave a Reply