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.
According to Wikipedia, the son of Robert Burns Pollock and Marjorie Leppert was named "Channing" after Channing Pollock, the American author and playwright.
When the parents attended a lecture of the famed man, he noticed that Majorie was pregnant.
On learning that the couple shared the same last name with him, he joked that the baby should be named after him.
And so he was!
Strikingly handsome with an enigmatic stage presence, Channing Pollock 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.
6 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)
Michael Pascoe
Amado Narvaez is correct. Channing Pollock was his real name. I have first hand information from his first wife Naomi, his son Russell, as well as birth records that I have found in my research for my book, Channing Pollock - Master of Magic. His parents were Robert Burns and Marjorie Pollock. Their first born son was named Robert. Marjorie was pregnant with their second child when they went to see a lecture of the Broadway writer Channing Pollock (no relations). Afterwards, they went to meet the famed playwright. When he noticed that she was with child, he quipped, "If it's a boy, you should name it after me." They all laughed and I'm sure the great man forgot about it. Marjorie didn't. When she gave birth to her son, she did name him Channing. Before Chan became world renowned as the premier dove manipulator, the famous playwright that shared his name, had already passed away. The writer never got a chance to even know that the couple that shared the same last name, did indeed name their son after him.
Michael Pascoe
Amado Narvaez is correct. Channing Pollock was his real name. I have first hand information from his first wife Naomi, his son Russell, as well as birth records that I have found in my research for my book, Channing Pollock - Master of Magic. I also wrote part of the section in Wikipedia as well.
Michael Pascoe
Amado Narvaez is correct. Channing Pollock was his real name. I have first hand information from his first wife Naomi, his son Russell, as well as birth records that I have found in my research for my book, Channing Pollock - Master of Magic. I also wrote part of the section in Wikipedia as well.