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Johnny Hart
29th August 1943 - 10th December 2018
Remembered by Steve Short
Johnny Hart, who has died aged 75, was a true overnight success. His
big break came in 1961 when he entered, and won, the first Young Magician of the
Year competition, organised by The Magic Circle.
That was just the start and Johnny Hart, under Harry Stanley’s guidance, toured
the world’s most prestigious venues, appearing regularly as a guest act on
British television, and including several times on the Ed Sullivan Show in
America. During the 1960s and ‘70s, Johnny worked with the biggest stars of the
day including the Bachelors, Mike and Bernie Winters, Danny La Rue, Max
Bygraves, Ken Dodd, Freddie Davies, Dick Emery, Bruce Forsyth and Mike Yarwood.
Inspired by Channing Pollock, who he would later meet and befriend, Johnny had
lengthy engagements at the Pigalle in London, the Paris Lido, the Casino du
Liban in Lebanon, The Dunes, Las Vegas and in Reno. Johnny worked with The
Beatles and had a season in the Bahamas when he took over the Richiardi Show. As
well as entertaining the public Johnny was very popular at magic conventions,
where he performed his award-winning act at gatherings all over the world.
A few days before Johnny passed away, he was given the news that he was to
receive The Masters Fellowship from The Magic Castle. This is their highest
award and is given only to master magicians. Past winners include Cardini,
Slydini, Marvyn Roy, Channing Pollock, Norm Nielsen, Paul Daniels, and last
year, David Copperfield.
Johnny will be much missed by his step-sister, Irene, and niece Debbie, and also
the many magicians worldwide who were inspired by Johnny’s amazing talent.
His marriage to Lorna, who was also his stage assistant, ended in divorce.
Together they had three sons and a daughter.
To quote from the late Alan Shaxon "Johnny Hart is for me the best and most
charismatic manipulator in the world."
Steve Short, December 2018