Doug Henning is a famous Canadian magician.
Although he is more known for his performances in New York.
His performances that made him so famous were around the late 70’s , early 80’s. His television special was one of the most watched magic specials ever.
He is considered to have paved the way for many of the ‘modern’ magicians. Changing dress, showman style and wow factor from a lot of the older performers.
Doug Henning was born on May 3, 1947, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His interest in magic began after witnessing the Peruvian magician Richiardi Jr. perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, inspiring him to learn and perform magic for his relatives.
Henning gained fame with his innovative performances, particularly with his show “Spellbound,” which combined magic, music, and dance. This led to his successful Broadway production, “The Magic Show,” which earned him a Tony nomination.
He is credited with reviving the magic show as a form of mass entertainment in the 1970s and popularizing it on television. Henning rejected the traditional tuxedo and top hat costume in favor of bright, multi-colored casual clothing and tights, setting him apart from other magicians of his time.
In addition to his work in magic, Henning also ventured into politics. In the 1992 General Election, he ran for a seat in Blackpool South but received only 173 votes, representing 0.4% of the total votes.
Doug Henning passed away on February 7, 2000, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 52, due to liver cancer.
Mentions of Doug Henning
Article from the Toronto Star to commerate 22 years after his death:
Videos with Doug Henning
Magic Shop items with Doug Henning
Items with Doug Henning. (link removed until shop is reopened).
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Last updated on 2025-04-20
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