Harry Blackstone Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Blackstone Jr.
|
|
|---|---|
Blackstone in 1976
|
|
| Born |
Harry Bouton Blackstone Jr.
June 30, 1934 Three Rivers, Michigan, U.S.
|
| Died | May 14, 1997 (aged 62) Loma Linda, California, U.S.
|
| Occupation | Magician, author, performer |
| Spouse(s) | Gay Blackstone |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) |
|
Harry Bouton Blackstone Jr. (born June 30, 1934 – died May 14, 1997) was a famous American magician. He performed on stage and TV, and even wrote books about magic. People say he pulled 80,000 rabbits out of hats and sleeves during his amazing career!
Contents
Early Life of a Magician
Harry Blackstone Jr. was born in Three Rivers, Michigan. His father was Harry Blackstone Sr., a very famous magician known as "The Great Blackstone." Even as a baby, Harry Jr. was part of his dad's magic shows!
Blackstone's Magic Career
Harry Jr. didn't just copy his father's tricks. He created his own and made his shows more modern. Sometimes, he would perform some of his dad's classic illusions in an old-fashioned style.
Magic Kits and Commercials
Blackstone created four different levels of magic kits, from beginner to advanced. These kits were super popular! In the early 1970s, he even promoted a "PF Magic Wedge Kit" in a TV commercial for PF Flyers sneakers. He also appeared in commercials for Jiffy Pop popcorn.
Donating to the Smithsonian
In 1985, Harry Blackstone Jr. made a special donation to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. This was on the 100th anniversary of his father's birth. He gave them the original floating light bulb, which was designed by Thomas Edison. He also donated the original Casadega Cabinet, used in the "Dancing Handkerchief" illusion. This was the first time the Smithsonian accepted a donation related to magic!
TV Appearances and Specials
Blackstone was a popular guest on many TV shows. He appeared on The Tonight Show, Donahue, The Today Show, Reading Rainbow, and The Super Mario Bros. Super Show. He also played a mysterious character named Dr. Mephisto on the TV soap opera Santa Barbara.
He had several TV specials. A two-hour special on PBS was unique because it featured intros by some of The Muppets. One of his favorite projects was "Backstage with Blackstone" on PBS's Square One TV. In this show, he used magic tricks to teach math to young people.
Designing Illusions for Shows
Blackstone designed amazing illusions for SeaWorld's water show, which featured DC Comics superheroes.
- He created a trick where The Joker seemed to cut Batgirl into many pieces.
- He also used a special pedestal to make Wonder Woman vanish.
Blackstone and his wife, Gay, also created special effects for music tours. They worked on "The Magic Summer Tour" and "No More Games Tour" for New Kids on The Block. He also designed effects for artists like Alice Cooper, Michael Jackson (for "The Victory Tour"), Earth, Wind and Fire, and Jane's Addiction with Perry Farrell.
Live Performances and Awards
During his career, Blackstone toured all over the U.S. His show, Magnificent Musical Magic Show, played in 156 cities and even on Broadway. It opened in May 1980 and had 118 performances.
Blackstone won the Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year Award twice, in 1979 and 1985. He was considered the most awarded magician of his time.
Later Life and Legacy
Harry Blackstone Jr. lived in Redlands, California. He passed away on May 14, 1997, in Loma Linda, California, when he was 62 years old.
After he passed away, many of his magic props were sold. Collectors around the world bought them, and some are even used in shows today. For example, Las Vegas performer Scarlett uses his Topsy Turvy trick. David Copperfield has the Tire Vanish, which was performed by Harry Blackstone Sr., in his magic museum.
The famous "Blackstone Floating Light Bulb" illusion is still performed today by magicians like Dutch illusionist Hans Klok and Darren Romeo. They perform it under a special agreement with Blackstone Magik Enterprises Inc. This trick is one of only two magic illusions protected as intellectual property.
The Performing Arts Theater at Redlands East Valley High School is named in his honor.
His wife, Gay Blackstone, was the former president of The Magic Castle in Hollywood, a famous club for magicians. In 2014, she appeared on the TV show Pawn Stars and sold a vanishing birdcage prop that both Harry Sr. and Harry Jr. had used.
Books by Harry Blackstone Jr.
Harry Blackstone Jr. also wrote several books about magic:
- The Blackstone Book of Magic and Illusion (1995)
- There's One Born Every Minute (1976)
- My Life As A Magician (1992)
- He also helped re-edit his father's book, Blackstone's Secrets of Magic.
