Magic Castle founder Milt Larsen (L) and wife Arlene Larsen attend the 42nd Annual Academy of Magical Arts Awards at Avalon Hollywood on April 11, 2010 in Hollywood. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
Milton “Milt” Larsen, a magician and TV writer who co-founded Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle, died Sunday in Los Angeles at age 92, Various reported.
Larsen died of natural causes, a representative told multiple media outlets. He died in his sleep.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Academy of Magical Arts shares the sad news that Magic Castle founder Milt Larsen has passed away,” Chuck Martinez, chairman of the Board of Directors at the Academy of Magical Arts told KTLA in a statement.
“For decades, he brought magic to so many lives and his legacy will continue to do so. We will miss him greatly.”
Larsen is the last surviving founder of the iconic magic club in Hollywood after the other co-founders, his brother William “Bill” Larsen Jr. and his wife, Irene, died.
In 1963, the trio founded the Magic Castle, a world-famous private club for Hollywood magicians. Larsen served as president of Magic Castles, Inc. until his death.
The ultra-exclusive magic club in Hollywood is known as a clubhouse for all self-described magicians and magic enthusiasts. Although the Magic Castle is an invitation-only club, the free magic shows became increasingly popular with locals and visitors before the COVID-19 pandemic. Celebrity attendees such as Sofia Vergara, Ryan Gosling and Randy Newman often attend the performances, Various reported.
The Magic Castle also celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, Martinez told KTLA.
In addition to being a co-founder of the club, Larsen also worked as a writer for TV game shows for nearly 20 years, working on shows like “Truth or Consequences.”
Larsen is also an actor and producer who worked on creating tunes for popular films such as, “Mary Poppins,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “The Jungle Book,” with his late brother Robert , according to The Hollywood Reporter.
He is also a prolific author, having written five joke books and was considered one of Magic magazine’s 100 most influential people in the craft in 2000.
Larsen is survived by his wife of 33 years, Arlene Larsen, his nieces, nephews and great-nephews.
