American magician, author, and actor Ricky Jay is well-known for his extensive historical and trivia knowledge. He frequently shared interesting anecdotes about his family history. In one of his famous tales, he humorously and revealingly described his parents' distinctive heritage.

In their community, Jay's father was known as the Formica King of Long Island, which was an odd moniker. This title implied that he was very good at something very particular to his time and place, rather than that he ruled over any kingdom. Kitchen countertops and cabinets were frequently associated with Formica, a brand name for a type of laminate that was widely used in American homes in the middle of the 20th century. By jokingly referring to his father as the "Formica King," Jay suggested that his father may have been an authority or fan on Formica-related home remodeling or design trends.

Jay's mother, however, came from a very different background. Her grandfather was known as a Bengal Lancer, so she had Indian ancestry. In the British Indian Army, cavalry soldiers who were renowned for their valor and lance proficiency were referred to as "Bengal Lancers." Jay's maternal side may have had military ancestry and connections to colonial India, based on this reference.

Ricky Jay used vivid imagery and astute language to give his audience a glimpse of his complicated family history by incorporating these details into his story. He was able to portray not only the individuality of each parent's upbringing but also the ways in which their disparate worlds converged to mold him into the person he is today. This narrative approach is typical of Jay's work, in which he ingeniously combines humor and historical details.

Essentially, Ricky Jay employs these stories as if they were fragments of a mosaic, each one adding to a broader picture of who he is and the rich tapestry of his family's history.