Cancer kills Siegfried at age 81
Siegfried Fischbacher, the acclaimed magician who delighted audiences for decades as one half of “Siegfried & Roy,” has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was 81. Fischbacher died Wednesday night at his home in Las Vegas, a representative for the entertainer said Thursday.
Roy Horn, his longtime partner died of COVID-19 complications in May.
The German-born Fischbacher performed with Horn in Las Vegas for five decades. Together, they mesmerized crowds with their on-stage illusions — including their abilities to make massive live animals seemingly disappear — as they set box-office records with their shows.
The performances, which included a 14-year run at The Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip, incorporated white lions, white tigers, jaguars, elephants and more into the acts.
Their careers were stalled after a tiger attacked Roy during a performance in 2003. The entertainer had a long road to recovery. He and Fischbacher retired in 2010.
Fischbacher fell in love with his craft after getting a magic book at a young age. He was performing on a cruise ship in 1957 when he met Horn, then a bellboy, and began to include him in his acts.
By 1967, the duo was performing together in Vegas.
“We did what we did out of love, not for success or money,” Fischbacher said at one point, according to his publicist. “We had a deep respect for each other. We literally raised each other: I created Roy and Roy created Siegfried.”
Their performances at The Mirage, which began in 1990, regularly sold out, generating tens of millions of dollars every year.
Fischbacher’s battle with pancreatic cancer was first reported earlier this week by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The entertainer’s rep says a public memorial will be planned for the future, but the funeral service will be private.
“We are just crushed to have lost Siegfried our wonderful friend and giant entertainer,” tweeted Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “Anyone who came to town, their request was always, ‘I must see Siegfried and Roy!’ ”