Co-founder of the Magic Castle and the Academy of Magical Arts
Irene Larsen, known affectionately as “Princess Irene” throughout the worldwide community of magicians and illusionists, was a co-founder of the Magic Castle and the Academy of Magical Arts.[1]
She was born Irene Stolz in Germany in 1936.[2] In 1955, American magician John Daniel invited her to come up on stage to assist in a performance. She soon became a permanent part of the act. John Daniel nicknamed her “Princess Irene,” an honorary title she would keep for life, and two years later, they were married.
She divorced John Daniel in 1960 and began working as a magician’s assistant to the brothers Milt Larsen and Bill Larsen. In 1963, the three of them founded the Academy of Magical Arts and the Magic Castle. She was the first member of the AMA. Later that year, she and Bill Larsen were married.
She served as an ambassador for the Magic Castle and for the magical arts in general. While continuing to serve as her husband’s assistant, she also appeared on the Dean Martin Show, assisting Orson Welles with his own illusion act. She was an early and continuing voice advocating the ethical treatment of animals in magical acts.[3] From 1963-1999, she served continuously as either editor or co-editor of Genii: the Conjurer's Magazine, a publication by, for, and about those in the illusionist community.[4]
^Bryant, Jacob (27 February 2016). "Irene Larsen, Co-Founder of the Magic Castle, Dies at 79". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
^Quinlan, Tim. "Irene Larsen, Co-Founder of the Academy of Magical Arts & the Magic Castle, Dies at 79". Inside Magic. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
^"Magic Castle Icon and Activist Dies at 79". Daily News. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
^Nichols, Chris (26 February 2016). "Irene Larsen, Co-Founder of the Magic Castle, Has Passed Away". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
IreneLarsen, known affectionately as “Princess Irene” throughout the worldwide community of magicians and illusionists, was a co-founder of the Magic...
by brothers Bill and Milt Larsen, sons of William Sr and Bill's wife IreneLarsen. It is in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California, and bills...
the Hollywood Victorian home "Holly Chateau" and with his future wife IreneLarsen built it into the private performance venue and restaurant now called...
won Larsen a bronze prize (second place) for literature in 1928 from the William E. Harmon Foundation. Larsen's novel Passing begins with Irene receiving...
William Larsen (1927–1996), American actor in Heaven Can Wait (1978 film) Bill Larsen (1928–1993), American magician married to "Princess Irene" Larsen William...
Magical Arts and Sciences, and was soon joined by IreneLarsen, in the promotions department. Larsen also created the Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica...
Passing, by Nella LarsenIrene Forsyte, a character in The Forsyte Saga Irene Pollock, a character in the 44 Scotland Street series Irene Van de Kamp, a...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
magicians on the West Coast and consulted with The Magic Castle's Milt Larsen as well as various figures in the film and television industry, including...
2001: Tihany 2002: Les Smith 2003: Al Cohen, Christian Fechner 2004: IreneLarsen 2005: Martin Gardner 2006: Carl Ballantine 2007: Al Cohen 2008: Bob Fitch...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
2001: Tihany 2002: Les Smith 2003: Al Cohen, Christian Fechner 2004: IreneLarsen 2005: Martin Gardner 2006: Carl Ballantine 2007: Al Cohen 2008: Bob Fitch...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
2001: Tihany 2002: Les Smith 2003: Al Cohen, Christian Fechner 2004: IreneLarsen 2005: Martin Gardner 2006: Carl Ballantine 2007: Al Cohen 2008: Bob Fitch...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...
1983: Sid Lorraine 1984: Edwin A. Dawes 1985: Karl Fulves 1986: Bill & IreneLarsen 1987: Robert Lund 1988: Robert Albo, Ken de Courcy 1989: David Price...