Milt Larsen, the magician and TV author who co-founded Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle night time spot, died May 28 in Los Angeles. He was 92.
Larsen had deep roots on the earth of magic and in Los Angeles. His father, William Larsen Sr., was a distinguished native protection lawyer and a performing magician. His mom, Geraldine, made early appearances on TV as “The Magic Lady.” Milt Larsen labored as a author for TV recreation exhibits together with “Truth or Consequences” throughout 18 years of Bob Barker’s tenure as host within the Fifties, ’60s and early ’70s.
Larsen teamed together with his older brother, William Larsen Jr., and William’s spouse, Irene, within the early Sixties to remodel a Gothic renaissance mansion on Franklin Avenue within the coronary heart of Hollywood right into a clubhouse designed to cater to working magicians. The trio created the Academy of Magical Arts, however the venue turned referred to as the Magic Castle. The membership opened its doorways in 1963 and has change into a world-renowed vacation spot, regardless of its ups and downs over the previous 60 years. The Larsen household leased the property from owned Thomas Glover till final 12 months, when the location was acquired by videogame magnate Randy Pitchford, founding father of Gearbox Entertainment.
Milt Larsen, co-founder of Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle membership
“The Magic Castle is like bedrock — the center point of magic,” Pitchford mentioned in an announcement on the time. The individuals who consider the Castle as their dwelling and the place itself appear to have magical properties which have created and impressed a number of the world’s best entertainers. I’m proud to be trusted to each, give again to the place that made me to change into the custodian of the Magic Castle, and to work with its members and the Larsen household to make sure our most unimaginable membership home grows and thrives for many years to return.”
Magic Castle co-founder William Larsen Jr. died in 1993 at age 64. Irene Larsen died in 2016 at age 79.
Milt Larsen and his brother had been saluted with the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
Larsen bought his begin as a author in radio, engaged on viewers participation exhibits for ABC Radio. In addition to “Truth or Consequences,” Larsen labored with Ralph Edwards Prods. on its signature unscripted sequence “This Is Your Life.” That gave Larsen publicity to legendary performers akin to Buster Keaton, Stan Laurel, Ed Wynn, Mack Sennett, George Burns and Jack Benny. Those relationships spurred his ardour as a showbiz historian and collector of memorabilia from the times of vaudeville in addition to 78 RPM information produced within the Twenties by the early Fifties.
Larsen stayed lively as a performer himself, producing the stage present “It’s Magic” for greater than 50 years within the Los Angeles space. Larsen owned and operated the Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica, the place he produced stage exhibits for 10 years. He additionally as soon as owned downtown L.A.’s Variety Arts Theater.
Milt Larsen’s survivors embrace his spouse, Arlene Larsen; nephew Dante Larsen, niece Erika Larsen, and great-nieces Jessica Hopkins and Liberty Larsen.