| Herbert Becker (Herbert L. Becker) | |
|---|---|
Herbert Becker (right) |
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| Born | August 12, 1956 Hollywood, Florida |
| Occupation | magician, escapologist, stunt performer, actor, historian, writer, businessman and inventor |
| Website | |
| www.magicweb.com | |
Herbert Lawrence Becker[1] (Born August 12, 1956.[2] in Hollywood, Florida) is a magician and the inventor and patent pending as well as copyright holder for BOIP (broadcasting over internet protocol)[3] & [4]. He is also the founder of IPTV (internet protocol television broadcasting), an author of many books, an actor, and the creator/director of the Masked Magician TV specials for FOX TV. [5]
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Born in the city of Hollywood, Florida in 1956 and grew up in North Miami Beach until he was 3 years old. Lived in Central Florida for many years in the area north of Orlando. For much of that time his family had a ranch in the unincorporated area between Orange City and DeLand, FL. His family also had a business in Lake Helen, FL.
Between the age of 3 and 16, the Becker family would spend time living in Toronto, Canada and the ranch in Orange City, FL.
Herbert Becker always considered Florida his home.
Herbert began performing and acting at age 3.
He performed magic as well as acting in television and stage production.
Cast member of the Sky King television series.
According to Hollywood Insider, Feb., 1976, the song "Magic Man" was written about love interest Herbert L. Becker
Becker wrote a weekly column called "It's Magic" which ran in a bunch of newspapers including the DeBary, Deltona Enterprise in Central Florida between 1972 and 1977.
At 16, Herbert Becker ran the fastest half-mile in Canada at 1:59.96. He was invited to the Canadian Junior Olympic summer camp along with Dan Rosenberg who won the long jump competition that same year.
Attended Humber College in Canada and Daytona Beach Jr. College in Florida.
Doctors of Business Administration from Columbia
Voted Best USA Magician in 1975 and 1976 by Houdini Magic Magazine, Becker performed under the name "The Kardeen Brothers" with Marc Nicols. Later, he worked solo as "The Great Kardeen". He helped open the first Guinness Museums, toured with Guinness on Parade and performed at the Steel Pier and Radio City Music Hall (1976) with the Guinness show.
As a magician, Becker toured worldwide until he retired in 1978. He was the opening act for such bands as Elton John and Genesis. Later bands which opened for him included Hall & Oates. He had long runs in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Becker appeared as himself (a magician) on the television programs "Bozo the Clown" (1975-1977 appearing weekly) and "The Maury Povich Show" (2001).[6]
In his book All the Secrets of Magic Revealed: The Tricks and Illusions of the World's Greatest Magicians, Becker explained how magicians such as Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, Doug Henning, and Siegfried and Roy created some of their most famous illusions, to the consternation of his colleagues.[7] Becker caused more unhappiness among magicians when he appeared on the television talk show of Maury Povitch in March 1997 and exposed the secrets behind such well-known magic tricks as sawing a person in half.[7] Becker was believed to be the anonymous Masked Magician, who, in a series of Fox TV specials, explained exactly what is behind the tricks of the magic trade. Becker has written Magic Secrets and So That's How They Do It.[7]
Becker replaced Harry Houdini in the 1976 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.[8]
1974 Began a relationship with Miss Florida and actress Delta Burke after she became his assistant on the ABC TV show Bozo The Clown.
Married to Malka Gasner in 1979. Becker and Gasner are now divorced. Together they have 3 children: Randi, Adam and Brian.
Married to Shelly Basser in 1991. Separated in 2008, filed for divorce in 2009 they have four children.
Becker has been involved in legal disputes with David Copperfield. Copperfield sued Becker in an attempt to prevent publication of All the Secrets of Magic Revealed: The Tricks and Illusions of the World's Greatest Magicians, Lifetime Books, Inc. (March 11, 1997); ISBN 978-0811908221 which Copperfield maintained revealed some of his (Copperfield's) secrets; Copperfield lost and the book was published. Becker then sued his publisher, Lifetime Books for purportedly colluding with Copperfield to remove details of Copperfield's illusions.[9][10] Becker and Copperfield have since become very close friends.
Becker was involved in multimedia broadcasting over the Internet, founding various companies based on software claimed to broadcast television over the Internet without requiring special streaming technologies or plug-ins. In 2000, Canadian dotcom GlobalMedia.com and Becker's Montreal-based BEE Multimedia signed an agreement to use its technologies to help develop content for an online motorcycle store. Becker subsequently joined the company's board in February 2001. In March 2001, after the dotcom crash, GlobalMedia.com declared bankruptcy, but Becker acquired the business name.
Successfully turned around one of the world's best casinos.
Becker wrote and recorded Someone Special in 1972 at National Guild Recording Studio, Deland, FL.
Becker taught in the Volusia County School system in Florida as well as teaching at Daytona Beach Community College.
Becker owns EnterVision technology and Magicweb.[11]
Becker was CEO of boutique book publishing house Barclay Road, retiring on July 2, 2008 but continuing as an advisor.[12]
Herbert Becker has begun speaking at universities, colleges and schools.