CHANNING POLLOCK
Channing Pollock (August 16, 1926 – March 19, 2006) was an American magician and film actor.
And a thoroughly delightful man!
We had the chance to speak with him over the phone several times and he always entertained us with stories from his fascinating life.
His real name was Robert Burns, but he took the stage name of Channing Pollock after an American author and playwright, because he really liked the sound of the name.
Strikingly handsome with an enigmatic stage presence, he was best known for his magic act in which he would elegantly produce doves out of thin air.
He was sometimes billed as "the most beautiful man in the world".
In 1959 his act was featured in the film European Nights, seen above.
The following year he decided to give up his career as a magician to become an actor.
He made a few films in Europe, and he also appeared on several American television shows including "Bonanza", "Daniel Boone", and even "The Beverly Hillbillies".
In 1971, he decided to completely retire from show business.
He generously gifted his chauffeur with his entire nightclub act, including his doves.
His chauffeur then had a brief magic career performing the act as "Franklyn".
Channing Pollock passed away at his Las Vegas home at age 79 in 2006.
4 Comments
John C Carpenter
Even when they say "Watch The Pidgeon," and I watch his hands instead, I cannot see how it is done. Truly outstanding.
Mr. G.
How smooth and graceful. It was a pleasure to see a master of illusion from the past. Thanks again for bringing forth such a talented artist.
Amado Narvaez
Actually, "Channing Pollock" was his real name--the one he was born with--as explained in the wikipedia biography entry for him. -----quote----- While his parents atteneded a lecture of famed playwright Channing Pollock, the author noticed that Majorie was with child. After finding out that the couple shared the same last name, he joked that the baby should be named after him. The famed author died before his name sake became famous. -----unquote----- From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channing_Pollock_(magician)
MagicTricks.com
Thank you for your comment. Actually, the Wikipedia article is incorrect. Channing Pollock was a personal friend of ours. We spoke by phone many times through the years. The information about his name came directly from him to us.