Michael Germana/Everett Group
Milt Larsen, co-founder of the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, actor, writer and television producer, died May 28 in his sleep at his Hollywood home, his family told TMZ. He was 92 years old.
Larsen, his brother Bill Larsen, and Bill’s wife Erin founded Magic Castle, a private club for magicians, in Hollywood in 1963. The Larsen brothers grew up in a family of magicians. Their father, William Larsen Sr., was a professional magician and defense attorney in Los Angeles. Their mother, Geraldine, was a pioneering children’s artist in television entertainment known as The Magic Lady.
Brothers Larsen and Eren have converted Lane’s mansion below Yamashiro in Hollywood, into the Magic Castle, which is also home to the Academy of Magical Arts.
In addition to his talent as a magician, Milt Larsen was a successful writer, having worked on Ralph Edwards’ TV game show truth or consequences Starring Bob Barker, for 18 years. He has also authored several books, three of which are on Magic Castle.
Larsen also wrote on malibu u TV series (1967) and audience-show starring Vin Scully and Jim Nabors.
Larsen and collaborator Bobby Lohr wrote a book for the musical Victory canteen, starring Patty Andrews starring the Andrews sisters. He later teamed up with famed songwriter Richard M. Sherman, after the duo developed a cult comedy following for some of their outrageous hits, including “Bon Voyage, Titanic,” “General Custer,” and “Congratulations Tom Dewey,” which became the theme song for the stage production. Give them hell, Harry!a one-man play about President Harry S. Truman starring James Whitmore, was later made into an Emmy-nominated TV movie.
Larsen also wrote the book and Sherman’s music for the comedy musical Bazaz! which had its world premiere at the Granada Center for the Performing Arts in Santa Barbara in 2008.
As an actor, Larsen has appeared in guest starring roles Hart to Hart in 1981. He also appeared as Wade Julia’s Back as Gomez Adams, performing his tablecloth at the end of Gomez and Morticia’s Tango in the 1993 Paramount film Addams family values.
As a producer, Larsen owned and operated Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica producing live theater productions for 10 years, and Variety Arts Theatre, a 1,200-seat variety theater in downtown Los Angeles for 12 years. He was also the founder and consultant of Caesars Magic Empire at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.