
Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller, has become known for painting one of his fingernails red. Jillette has explained that he started painting his nails as a joke, after his mother told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands. He now keeps one nail painted red in memory of his mother, who died in 2000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for painting nails red | As a joke in response to his mother telling him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands |
| Reason for continuing to paint nails red | In memory of his mother |
| Which nail is painted red | Left ring finger |
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What You'll Learn
- Penn Jillette's mother told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands
- He painted all his nails red as a joke
- He now always paints one nail red in memory of his mother
- He wears his dad's ring and his mother's nail polish
- In 2012, he considered changing the meaning of the red nail polish to be for his daughter

Penn Jillette's mother told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands
Jillette has discussed the red nail many times on his podcast, *Penn's Sunday School*. He has also tweeted about it, saying: "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."
In 2012, Jillette said he was considering changing the meaning of the red nail polish, telling his daughter Moxie Crimefighter that it was for her.
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He painted all his nails red as a joke
Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller, painted all his nails red as a joke in response to his mother telling him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands. He couldn't perform with ten red nails, so he began painting only his left ring finger. He now always has it painted red in memory of his mother, who died in 2000.
Jillette has discussed the red nail many times on his podcast, Penn's Sunday School. He also tweeted about it, saying: "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."
In 2012, Jillette said he was considering changing the meaning of the red nail polish, telling his daughter Moxie Crimefighter it was for her.
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He now always paints one nail red in memory of his mother
Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller, paints one nail red in memory of his mother. When he first started juggling and doing magic, she told him that because people were watching his hands, he should make sure his fingernails looked neat. To make fun of her, he painted all his fingernails red. He couldn't perform with ten red nails, so he began painting only his left ring finger. Although she didn't approve, it turned into a tribute to his mother, who died in 2000.
On the podcast 'Skepticality' in 2012, Jillette said that he was considering changing the meaning of the red nail polish, telling his daughter Moxie Crimefighter that it was for her. Jillette wears his father's ring and his mother's nail polish. He has said that it reminds him of his parents.
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He wears his dad's ring and his mother's nail polish
Penn Jillette wears his dad's ring and his mother's nail polish. He paints one fingernail red in memory of his mother, who told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands when he was performing. To make fun of her, he painted all his fingernails red. He couldn't perform with ten red nails, so he began painting only his left ring finger. Although she didn't approve, it turned into a tribute to his mother, who died in 2000.
Jillette has talked about the red nail many times on his podcast, *Penn's Sunday School*. He also tweeted about it, saying: '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.' Many fans expressed how much they admired his intentions, with one claiming that his reasoning was 'the sweetest thing' they had read.
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In 2012, he considered changing the meaning of the red nail polish to be for his daughter
In 2012, Penn Jillette considered changing the meaning of the red nail polish he wears to be for his daughter, Moxie Crimefighter. Jillette has worn one red fingernail since he first started juggling and doing magic, when his mother told him that because people were watching his hands, he should make sure his fingernails looked nice. To make fun of her, he painted all his fingernails red. He couldn't perform with ten red nails, so he began painting only his left ring finger. Although his mother didn't approve, it turned into a tribute to her, who died in 2000.
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Frequently asked questions
Penn Jillette first painted his nails red as a joke, after his mother told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands. He now keeps one fingernail painted red in memory of his mother, who died in 2000.
Penn Jillette paints his left ring finger red. He has described it as his "nicest finger".
In 2012, Jillette said he was considering changing the meaning of the red nail polish, telling his daughter Moxie Crimefighter that it was for her.











































