René Lavand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
René Lavand
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Lavand in Buenos Aires in 1972
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| Born |
Héctor René Lavandera
24 September 1928 Buenos Aires, Argentina
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| Died | 7 February 2015 (aged 86) Buenos Aires, Argentina
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| Occupation | Magician |
| Years active | 1960–2015 |
| Known for | One-handed card tricks |
Héctor René Lavandera (born September 24, 1928 – died February 7, 2015), known as René Lavand, was a famous magician from Argentina. He was especially good at close-up magic, which means performing tricks very close to the audience. René Lavand was well-known for doing amazing card tricks using only one hand.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Magic Journey
René Lavand was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1928. When he was nine years old, he lost one of his hands in a car accident. This made him unique because he had to learn magic in a different way.
He slowly taught himself how to do card manipulation (moving cards skillfully). He once said that losing his hand gave him an advantage. He explained that he couldn't just copy what other magicians did. This forced him to create his own special techniques.
Becoming a World-Famous Magician
Before becoming a full-time magician, René Lavand worked as a cashier in a bank. When he was 32, he performed at the Tabarís Theater in Buenos Aires. This show helped his career take off, and he began to travel the world.
In the United States, René Lavand appeared on popular TV shows. He was on Ed Sullivan's show and Johnny Carson's show. He also performed at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, a special club for magicians.
One of his most famous phrases was "No se puede hacer más lento." This is Spanish for "it cannot be done any slower." He used this phrase for his tricks because he performed them very slowly and carefully. This made his magic even more amazing to watch.
Later Life and Legacy
Between his international tours, René Lavand lived in Tandil, Argentina. He even turned an old railway carriage into a magic room. In this special place, he taught others the art of illusion.
He also wrote a book called Mysteries of My Life with Richard J. Kaufman. This book was partly about his own life story. It also taught some of his unique magic tricks.
René Lavand received several awards for his magic. The Academy of Magical Arts honored him many times. He was named Close-up Magician of the Year in 1993. He also received the Performing Fellowship in 1997 and the Masters Fellowship in 2011.
René Lavand passed away in Buenos Aires in 2015 at the age of 86. He died from pneumonia.
Films and Books
Films About René
René Lavand appeared in a few films.
- Un oso rojo ("A Red Bear") (2002): He played a character called 'El Turco' in this movie.
- El Gran Simulador ("The Great Pretender") (2013): This was a biographical film about his life. It included parts of his performances and interviews with him at his home.
Books by René
René Lavand also wrote several books about his magic.
- René Lavand: Slow motion magic I (1988)
- René Lavand: Slow motion magic II (1991)
- René Lavand: Magic from the Soul (1993)
- Mysteries of My Life (1998): This book was written with Richard Kaufman.
See also
In Spanish: René Lavand para niños
