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Why This Beloved Actor Made a Surprise Appearance on AGT: Fantasy League

Piff the Magic Dragon brought a familiar face back to the America's Got Talent stage. 

By Shameika Rhymes

Another America’s Got Talent fan favorite took to the stage on America's Got Talent: Fantasy League. Magician and comedian, Piff the Magic Dragon, whose real name is John van der Put, was one of Heidi Klum’s draft picks for her Dream Team as she competes against Howie Mandel, Mel B and Simon Cowell for bragging rights.

How to Watch

Watch America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League on NBC and Peacock.

The English magician recently became a U.S. citizen and is taking it seriously.

“As an American, it is my duty to win,” Piff the Magic Dragon declared at the top of his performance.

RELATED: Why Heidi Klum Says It's "Incredible" Her Son is Now Taller Than Her at 6'3

Before kicking off his audition, he wasn't afraid to show his Team Heidi spirit by playfully taunting Mandel and the other Judges for not picking him. During his actual performance for AGT: Fantasy League, he enlisted the help of former guest Judge Neil Patrick Harris, who made a surprise cameo which led to a standing ovation for Piff the Magic Dragon.

“You came with a winning performance,” admitted Mandel, despite the playful banter at the top. 

Piff the Magic Dragon on AGT

Piff The Magic Dragon on stage on AGT: Fantasy League Episode 102

America’s Got Talent changed my life,” Piff the Magic Dragon said during his AGT: Fantasy League opening.

In 2015, Piff appeared on America's Got Talent Season 10. His audition, a repeat of his Fool Us routine with a phased transformation of incorrect card to signed card, was unanimously selected for the Judge Cuts round. In that round, a signed card reappeared in a sealed dog-food can, with special guest Judge Neil Patrick Harris using his Golden Buzzer to send Piff straight to the quarterfinals. He finished in the top 10.  He returned as a guest performer on the 2016 America's Got Talent Holiday Spectacular and in 2017 during Season 12.

Piff the Magic Dragon currently headlines at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip with over 250 shows a year. 

All about Neil Patrick Harris’ surprise cameo on AGT: Fantasy League

A split of Piff The Magic Dragon on Agt Fantasy League Episode 102 and Neil Patrick Harris

During Piff’s audition, he started off with photos of Neil Patrick Harris eating a sandwich, and for his Act, he decided to stay on the sandwich theme with the help of the Judges, Jade Simone and of course, Mr. Piffles, his adorable little dog. He had each Judge do something different to randomize ingredients to a sandwich. For extra authenticity, he asked for a strand of Klum's hair. Before the Act was completed, a screen lit up and Neil Patrick Harris himself shared that he left a fully made sandwich in the safe suspended above the stage and signed off with “Neil ‘The Sandwich King’ Harris.”

The sandwich included all of the ingredients the Judges chose, seemingly at random, including the name tag with Klum's hair attached to it!

Two-hour episodes of AGT: Fantasy League air every Monday on NBC and NBC.com at 8/7c. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.