Roy Horn, legendary magician of duo Siegfried & Roy, dies from COVID-19 complications – CBS News

Legendary illusionist Roy Uwe Ludwig Horn died in Las Vegas on Friday from problems linked to COVID-19, CBS Recordsdata confirmed in an announcement from his press workforce. Horn, who became as soon as 75, became as soon as finest identified for his phase in the magic duo Siegfried and Roy, which grew to turn into identified spherical the sphere for incorporating endangered animals into their on-stage illusions. 

Horn had tested definite for coronavirus in April, in accordance to CBS affiliate WIAT. He became as soon as hospitalized at Mountain Gape Sanatorium prior to his loss of life.

“The sphere has lost one in every of the greats of magic, nonetheless I even have lost my finest friend,” Horn’s associate in magic, Siegfried Fischbacher, acknowledged in an announcement.  

“From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, collectively, would commerce the sphere. There might presumably well perchance even be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried,” he acknowledged. “Roy became as soon as a fighter his total life collectively with in the course of these final days.”

Horn became as soon as born in Germany in 1944. While working on a cruise ship, he met Siegfried, and after a dialog started from the query, “can you produce a question proceed,” their 50-one year profession as a magic duo began, in accordance to the commentary from his press workforce. 

At some level of their 14-one year stint at The Mirage in Las Vegas, the magicians mercurial grew to turn into identified for his or her incorporation of mountainous and elegant plants and fauna of their performances, the commentary added. Of us ventured to Las Vegas to explore their $30 million manufacturing, which eager making tigers, white lions, leopards, jaguars, and even an elephant, proceed. 

Horn’s final — and most significant — performance became as soon as October 3, 2003, when he had a stroke and one in every of the their white tigers dragged him off stage. From that day ahead, Horn referred to his tiger, named Mantecore, as his “lifesaver,” and 5 years after the incident, Siegfried and Roy opened a plants and fauna sanctuary in Las Vegas known as the Secret Backyard and Dolphin Habitat. The sanctuary offered a home for the the workforce’s white tigers and various exotic animals, akin to a Komodo dragon.

“Roy’s total life became as soon as about defying the chances,” Siegfried acknowledged. “He grew up with very small and grew to turn into notorious in the course of the sphere for his showmanship, aptitude and his life-long dedication to animal conservation. He had a strength and might presumably well perchance also calm unlike anybody I even have ever identified.”

Fellow magician and illusionist Criss Angel tweeted his respects, writing, “Thanks for your kindness, inspiration and friendship. You paved the road and might presumably well perchance also calm eternally be overlooked.”

MGM Hotels, which owns The Mirage, tweeted, “The sphere lost a legendary resolve with the passing of Roy Horn. His narrative, and the narrative of Siegfried & Roy, are higher than life.”

In response to the click commentary, a public memorial shall be planned for Horn. Siegfried has also asked that donations in Horn’s name be made to the Cleveland Health center Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health or the Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief and Restoration Job Power.