Siegfried Fischbacher: The Magic of a Legend

Siegfried Fischbacher is a German magician who is best known for his work with Roy Horn, of the duo Siegfried and Roy. Together, they became one of the most successful magic acts in history. Fischbacher was born on June 13th, 1939 in Rosenheim, Germany. He started learning magic at a very young age and quickly developed a passion for it. After serving in the German Army during World War II, he began his professional career as a magician. Over the years, he has become one of the most respected magicians in the world. In this article, we will take a look at his life and how he rose to the top.

Life in Germany

When Fischbacher was 10 years old, he developed a passion for magic. He was fascinated by the art of illusion and dedicated himself to learning every trick in the book. By the time he turned sixteen, he had become an accomplished magician. In 1956, Siegfried joined the German Army where he served as a paratrooper. While serving in the army, he continued to practice his magic.

Early Career

In 1961, Fischbacher left the army to pursue his dream of becoming a magician. He soon met Roy Horn while performing on the cruise ship TS Bremen. He asked Roy to assist him in his act. They both shared a passion for animals and dreamed of one day becoming famous together.

The duo decided to call themselves Siegfried and Roy. They started out small, performing at local clubs and restaurants. However, they soon began to gain a following and started headlining in major venues. They were discovered by an entertainer named Bobby Barron who saw them perform their magic act aboard the cruise liner. Barron helped them develop their act into an international sensation.

Coming to America

In 1967, Siegfried and Roy moved to Las Vegas in hopes of landing a job as magicians on the Strip. They were quickly hired by famous casino owner Steve Wynn to perform at his new hotel, The Mirage. At first, their magic act did not go over so well with audiences because they were used to seeing acts like Elvis Presley perform on stage.

However, after a few years of struggling to find their place in Las Vegas, Siegfried and Roy’s act began to gain popularity. They started performing at other hotels on the Strip and soon became one of the most popular acts in Vegas.

Tragedy Strikes

In 2003, Fischbacher was performing with Roy Horn at The Mirage when tragedy struck. During their show, a white tiger named Montecore attacked and critically injured Roy Horn. Siegfried was able to get the tiger off of Roy and called for help. Roy was rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery. Miraculously, he survived but suffered extensive injuries that left him partially paralyzed.

Awards and Recognition

Siegfried Fischbacher has been honored with many awards throughout his career. In 2003, he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Magical Arts. The following year, he received the prestigious Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society. And in 2009, he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These awards and honors are a testament to Siegfried Fischbacher’s astounding career in magic.

Siegfried’s Death

Siegfried Fischbacher died of pancreatic cancer on January 13th, 2021 at the age of 81. Fischbacher had been in poor health for some time prior to his death; he had suffered a stroke in 2006. Also, in 2009 he was involved in an accident that forced him to retire from performing. He is buried in Palm Downtown Cemetery in Las Vegas.

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