Billy McComb
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Billy McComb (April 12, 1922 - April 30, 2006) was a magician and comedian. He was one of the United Kingdom's leading magicians in the 1950s and 1960s, before taking up residence in Los Angeles, California in the 1970s.
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[edit] Early life
He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the son of a physician who was knighted for X-ray research, and educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. He then trained for a career in medicine at Queen's University, Belfast, graduating as a doctor in 1949.
[edit] Entertainer
McComb decided to develop a talent he had discovered at school as a magician and comedian. He made a name for himself in Ireland, and soon made his mark in London, in the West End cabaret scene. He married June Cochrane, a former Miss Ireland, and they became a performing duo. McComb had a number of television series and also opened for such stars as Bob Hope and, in recent years, The Amazing Johnathan. McComb has also performed before Queen Elizabeth II at a Royal Variety Performance.
After moving to California he made over three hundred appearances on television and in movies, including the part of Walter Wilder in the 1995 film Lord of Illusions, directed by Clive Barker. He also appeared in the 1987 TV film Young Harry Houdini. Even in his eighties he performed regularly in Las Vegas. He was Vice-President of The Magic Castle in Hollywood, a position now filled by magician Whit Haydn.
McComb was the author of many books on magic and presentation, including The Professional Touch and McComb's Magic: 25 Years Wiser. He was also a prolific inventor, creating such items as the "McCombical Deck". His "Double Thin Model Sawing" routine, in which two assistants are sawn in half and the halves of the two assistants are switched, has been used by several other magicians and was even a Jeopardy! question.
He died in April, 2006. His son Sean had died in 2002, and his widow June McComb died in 2007.
[edit] References
- The Guardian, obituary, 31 May 2006
