170: Milt Larsen

MILT LARSEN is best known as the legendary creator and owner of historic The Magic Castle, a private club for magicians and enthusiasts in Los Angeles. Larsen (who is also a writer, actor, performer, lyricist, magician, and entrepreneur ) and his brother, the late Bill Larsen Jr., were both in television and grew up in a family of magicians. In 1936 Larsen's parents published Genii, the Conjurors Magazine, which is still in publication. In 1999, Magic magazine selected the Larsen Family as one of the 100 most influential magicians in the 20th century. Milt also created the Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica, California (a Victorian British music hall featuring live stage shows), The Variety Arts Theatre - Los Angeles, and Caesars Magical Empire at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Over 50 years ago, Larsen was a writer for the classic Ralph Edwards audience participation TV show "Truth or Consequences" starring Bob Barker and wrote the "Malibu U" television series (an audience participation shows starring Vin Scully and Jim Nabors). In 1956 Larsen produced his first all-star magic revue "It's Magic!", with a new edition playing West Coast performing arts centers annually. He appeared as the back and hands of actor Raul Julia as Gomez Addams, performing his tablecloth yank at the end of Gomez and Morticia's Tango dance in "Addams Family Values" (Paramount Pictures ). Larsen hosts a weekend radio show on CRN Digital Talk Radio called "Hear Them Again for the First Time," featuring rare antique personality recordings from his vast collection of 78 rpm recordings. He is a member with gold star MIMC of London's Magic Circle; Lifetime Achievement Award Academy of Magical Arts; President's Citation Society of American Magicians; Member International Brotherhood of Magicians; Blackstone Award, World Magic Awards; Lifetime Achievement Award Los Angeles High School; Entertainment Arts Award, Hollywood Arts Council; Drama Logue Publishers/Critics Award, Lifetime Achievement Award by Los Angeles High School; In 2013 he was honored as one of the "Heroes of Hollywood" by the Hollywood Chamber Foundation and the Pacific Pioneers Broadcasters "Diamond Circle Award." In one of his proudest moments, Milt and his brother Bill were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.