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.

[edit] Biography

He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and trained for a career in medicine, graduating as a doctor in 1949. He was the son of a physician father who was knighted for X-ray research. However, he decided to develop the 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 at a Royal Variety Performance.

After moving to California he made over 300 appearances on television and in the 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 80s he performed regularly in Las Vegas. He was Vice-President of The Magic Castle in Hollywood, a position currently filled by magician Whit Haydn.

McComb is the author of many books on magic and presentation, such as 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 is survived by his wife June, although their son, Sean, died in 2002.