Billy McComb
| Billy McComb | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 12, 1922 Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK |
| Died | April 30, 2006 (aged 84) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Billy McComb (April 12, 1922 — April 30, 2006) was a British-born American magician and comedian. He was one of the United Kingdom's leading magicians in the 1950s and 1960s. He was hired to perform at the International Of Magicians in 1962 and stayed at Jim Swogers house, in Pittsburgh, along with his wife and son for six months before taking up residence in Los Angeles, California in the 1970s. He joined The Magic Castle in Hollywood, his number being 3323.
He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the son of a physician who was knighted for his extensive contribution to X-ray research. He was educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. He then trained for a career in medicine at Queen's University, Belfast. He graduated as a doctor in 1949.
He decided to develop a talent he discovered at school as a magician and comedian. He made a name for himself in Ireland. He very quickly made his mark in London in the West End cabaret scene. He married June Cochrane, a former Miss Ireland. They became a performing duo. He performed before Queen Elizabeth II at a Royal Variety Performance in the early years of his career. He then began a very successful career as a magician and comedian performer aboard cruise ships internationally with his magician's assistant, Mindy Masters. It was during this era of his career that his travels brought him to the United States. After he landed in Hollywood, California he made over three hundred appearances on television and in movies. He appeared in a number of television series and also opened for such stars as Bob Hope. One role was Walter Wilder in the 1995 film Lord of Illusions, directed by Clive Barker. He also appeared in the 1987 TV film Young Harry Houdini. He became a prominent figure at The Magic Castle and was affectionately billed as "The Worlds Largest Leprechaun." In 1964 he was invited to join the Entertainment charitable fraternity, the Grand Order of Water Rats.
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