Marvin Roy, the internationally renowned magician who set a standard for variety artists in a career that spanned five continents and more than five decades, died Wednesday, July 1 at age 95.
Born Marvin Levy in April 1925, Roy began studying magic at a young age and, while under the guidance of Ray Muse, was named Best Magician at the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention in San Francisco in 1939.
One of the second wave of soldiers that landed on Normandy in 1944, Roy was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Upon his recovery, the U.S. Army decided that Roy’s talents were better suited to Special Services, so he was attached to a variety show that toured army camps. Following the war, Roy attended the Theater Arts Department at UCLA and began developing the unique magic act that would propel him to stardom around the world.
It was at The Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago that Roy met a beautiful ice skater/rope spinner named Carol Williams, who would become his wife. Together they perfected the magic act based around light bulbs that became known as Artistry in Light. The spelling of his name was changed to Marvyn Roy and he became famous as Mr. Electric. For five decades Roy and Williams headlined showrooms and revue shows around the world, including The Lido de Paris, The London Palladium, Gorky Park in Moscow, The Latin Quarter in New York, Radio City Music Hall, and numerous venues in Las Vegas, including the Stardust, MGM Grand, Frontier, Desert Inn, and Tropicana hotels. Their television credits include The Ed Sullivan Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Tonight Show, and dozens more all over the world, while Roy’s professionalism and generosity inspired a new generation of young magicians.
Survivors include Dale Hindman, his daughters Tiffany and Michele and their husbands, his step-son Larry Lang and granddaughters Mallory and Lindsey and their husbands, and his great-granddaughter Blake, and thousands of friends and admirers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dai Vernon Foundation, Inc (11333 Moorpark St, #22, North Hollywood, Ca 91602)
