Help us get to over 8,748 articles in 2024.

If you know of a magician not listed in MagicPedia, start a New Biography for them. Contact us at magicpediahelp@gmail.com

Celeste Evans

From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Revision as of 23:23, 2 November 2009 by Jsevilla (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

Celeste Evans was born in White Rock, BC, Canada.

She began at the age of nine with her first sleight-of-hand effect, throwing knots into silk, which she opened her act throughout her career. Within a year she was performing in public. After graduating from high school, she was earning her living on the carnival circuit, touring the country, doing tent shows.

In 1952, Celeste left Canada to entertain troops in Korea and Japan under the auspices of the Canadian Legion.

While touring with country and western groups, she was called to appear on the Canada's "Pick the Stars", her first nationwide television appearance. In New York she became a regular on the "Paul Winchell Show", "Arthur Godfrey", "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "To Tell the Truth", as well as on the Barbara Walter's show, "Not For Women Only". On "To Tell the Truth", Celeste escaped from a straight jacket in nine seconds (a commercial was due) and won the thousand dollar award.

In 1957, Celeste toured central Africa, Egypt and North Africa on behalf of the United Nations. The tour included the Buddy Rich Band and twenty other artists, and covered twenty six countries, including India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Thailand, Nepal, Afghanistan, Singapore & Hong Kong.

Celeste then settled in Chicago, but still toured regularly throughout the country, including the Playboy Club circuit.

When her first husband Harry passed away in 1984, Celeste took over Breyn Management and successfully operated the business until she retired in early 2003.

Celeste now lives in Florida.

Family

Celeste wed Harry Breyn of Breyn Management, a theatrical agency based in Illinois.

Celeste and Harry had two children, Evan and Evanna.

Celeste remarried Mitch in 1992. Celeste and Mitch were together and enjoyed retirement until Mitch's passing in January of 2006.

She has two grandchildren, Ethan and Rachael.

Honors

  • Cover Genii 1957 August
  • Cover of Tops August 1964
  • Cover of MUM February 1976
  • Inducted into the SAM Magic Hall of Fame in 1998

Books

  • Has This Ever Happened to You? A Collection of Magicians’ Faux Pas compiled by Celeste Evans

References

External links

This biographical material is about a living person.
Such material requires a high degree of sensitivity,
and must adhere strictly to all applicable laws in the United States.
See MagicPedia:Biographies_of_living_persons for more information.