Milt Larson, an illusionist and former TV game show writer best known for co-founding Magic Castle, a Los Angeles private club for magicians, died Sunday of natural causes. his family announced, He was 92 years old.
Born in Pasadena in 1931, Larson and his brother Bill both became writers for television in the 1950s. Both his parents were practicing magicians, including mother Geraldine, who made television appearances as “The Magic Lady” in the heyday of mediumship.
Together with William and William’s wife Irene, they converted a mansion on Franklin Avenue, not far from Highland in the very heart of Hollywood, into a place where working magicians could perform and play. He first leased the building in 1961 and opened it in 1963, describing the Magic Castle as “the most unusual private club in the world”. Over the years, the building has undergone several alterations, allowing more theatres, bars and other venues. Curbed is called Magic Castle “One of the most LA places in LA.”
And it’s true – the Magic Castle is one of those famous places in Los Angeles that you’ve either been to and had a really incredible time or still yearn to visit. There’s been a full list of celebrities who have performed at the Magic Castle, including Orson Welles, Johnny Carson, and Steve Martin (who got his start at the Magic Shop on Main Street at Disneyland), and there’s an aura of intrigue and glamor throughout the place. (Two things in short supply in Los Angeles in 2023). In 2016, Disney held a party for “Doctor Strange” at the Magic Castle, attended only by executives and celebrities.
Milt was the last surviving Magic Castle founder – William died in 1993 at the age of 64 and Irene died in 2016 at the age of 79. William never saw the Hollywood Walk of Fame star he and Milt received in 2006.
Larson got his start in radio and wrote for television series such as “This Is Your Life” and “Truth or Consequences” for nearly 20 years (back when Bob Barker hosted the program in the 1950s, 60s and 70s). And he performed for more than 50 years, performing not only at the Magic Castle, but also at Santa Monica’s Mayfair Music Hall and LA’s Variety Arts Theater (both venues he once owned).
