I
am deeply saddened to report the passing of
Billy McComb
I
am deeply saddened to report that Billy McComb has just died
in hospital.
More
details will follow on his funeral arrangement.
Billy
made a major contribution to the world of magic over many
years as Steve Dacris
article below shows....
From
the Hall of Fame on magicwebchannel.com
Billy
McComb is an Inventor, Comedian, Doctor of Medicine, Actor,
Author, Magician, and perhaps the most renowned historian
of the magical arts today. Billy has had enough experiences
for five lifetimes and yet he still continues to perform and
tour, delighting anyone lucky enough to cross his path. He
is billed as "The World's Largest Leprechaun", having
been born in Northern Ireland.
Billy
is the son of Sir Charles Henry McComb, who was knighted by
King George V for his valuable research in the field of X-rays.
Billy himself earned his Doctor of Medicine to please his
family but soon learned that he had to please himself so he
gave up medicine and moved to London to pursue his dream as
an entertainer.
He
soon became a fixture in London's West End, doing anything
he could to learn the trade. He did voice-overs, films, radio
and he was becoming well known in the nightclub scene. He
even opened for Bob Hope at the Prince of Wales Theater. Within
a few years, Billy was headlining himself. with an original
blend of comedy and magic. Then came the pinnacle of his career
when he was asked to do a Royal Command Performance for Queen
Elizabeth at The London Palladium. The show was a great success
and Billy decided it was time to take his act to America.
Americans
loved his style as much as the Brits and Billy became such
a huge hit he was booked on just about every television\variety
show on air during that time. He has made over 300 personal
appearances on TV and in movies. He has also starred in many
of his own TV shows for the BBS. He has worked the best theaters,
cruise ships, and clubs around the world and is now internationally
renown in the world of magic for his innovative effects. Billy
decided to concentrated his efforts solely on magic and has
published many books on magic, which are still poured over
by magic students today. He has enough magic awards to fill
a warehouse
At
the age of 76, Billy lives in Hollywood and is still actively
performing. He was recently asked to play the Main Room at
The Sahara in Las Vegas, a dream that had always eluded him,
and was held over an unprecedented five weeks by the casino.
The reviews were stellar and people both young and old loved
Billy's classic wit and timeless humor. His self deprecating
remarks about his age now play an integral part in his show,
helping to enhance it even more.
Magicians
from all corners of the world come to see and learn by watching
The One and Only McComb work his magic. He was recently honored
and roasted by his peers who included Harry Anderson, Penn
& Teller, and all of the luminaries of magic who, at one
time or another, was influenced by Billy.
Billy
McComb is a true gentleman and people can sense that when
they meet Billy without a word spoken. That's the most revered
magic accomplishment of his entire career.
Billy
McComb
Most
contemporary successful comedy magicians will gladly admit
that they have been highly influenced by Billy McComb, some
even crediting their careers to him. And no wonder: every
detail of his act is worked out and refined, fueled by his
enthusiasm for magic and hyperactive creativity.
Billy
began his performance career in Britain where he had 9 shows
of his own and appeared in over 40 films. The pinnacle of
his British career was a Royal Command Performance for Queen
Elizabeth at The London Palladium. In the States, he has appeared
on such TV shows as The Tom Snyder Show, Matlock, Adam 12
and the Disney TV movie, The Young Harry Houdini. Billy has
also appeared in the movie Lord of Illusions with Clive Barker.
His awards include two from the Academy of Magical Arts, and
an election to the S.A.M.'s Hall of Fame. In1999, Magic magazine
selected him as one of the 100 most influential magicians
in the 20th Century. And recently, Billy has opened in Las
Vegas for The Amazing Jonathan, and has appeared in The Lance
Burton Show at the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino.
Steve
Dacri
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