Lance Burton Biography

Fast Facts

• Was the first winner of the International Brotherhood of Magicians' Gold Medal of Excellence
• Became the first American and the youngest performer to ever be honored as a World Champion Magician at the Fédération International Société de Magie competition in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1982
• Master Magician Lee Grabel passed the Mantle of Magic on to him in 1994, inducting him into the Royal Dynasty of Magic
• After a neighbor gave him a copy of "Magic Made Easy," he learned the tricks in the book and held magic shows for his friends, charging five cents per ticket
• Decided that being a magician would be a good way to make money after magician Harry Collins, his future mentor, pulled a series of silver dollars out of Burton's ear when he was 5 years old
• A professional magician, he became known for his excellent mastery of misdirection
• In 1994, he entered into the longest legal agreement ever given to an entertainer in Las Vegas, a 13-year contract to perform his magic show in the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in a theater built specifically for his act
• Broke records when his eight-week contract at the Folies Bergere in Las Vegas was extended for nine years
• Enjoys skiing at Mt․ Charleston during his time off
• Likes reading, and Ann Rice is one of his favorite authors