Richard Turner

About

Best known for his sleight-of-hand card tricks, this internationally renowned magician performed at Los Angeles' Magic Castle; on the Ripley's Believe It Or Not television program; and with a touring show called Hoodwinked. He performed for such celebrities as Muhammad Ali, Gene Kelly, Bob Hope, and Johnny Carson.

Before Fame

As the result of a childhood illness, he had lost most of his vision by his ninth birthday. During his early years, despite attending a California school for the visually impaired, he trained to become a karate black belt.

Trivia

The acclaimed magicians Siegfried and Roy presented him with the 1982 Golden Lion Magic Award. Several years later, he received the Lynn Searles Card Manipulation Award.

Family Life

A native of San Diego, California, he married Kim Turner and became the father of a child named Asa Spades Turner.

Associated With

He was lauded by fellow magician Ed Marlo, who praised not only his technical skill as a practitioner of magic, but also his ability to fully engage his audiences.