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

Hank Moorehouse

From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Revision as of 17:53, 6 July 2011 by Jpecore (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search
Hank Moorehouse
BornHenry L. Moorehouse
circa 1914
Oak Park, Illinois
DiedJuly 1, 2011 (age 96)

Hank Moorehouse was a magic show producer and served as the SAM National President in 1981.[1]

Moorehouse became interested in magic in 1947 at the age of 13 when he purchased his first trick from the Mazda Magic Shop in Oak Park, Illinois.

He remained active in conjuring throughout his high school years and started to perform more often while majoring in theater at the University of Illinois.

After college, Moorehouse joined the army and was stationed in Germany. Following his tour of duty, he settled in Orland Park, Illinois, where his involvement in magic was rekindled. He met Ken Diamond and they formed Aladdin Productions. In 1968, they hosted a one-day convention called "The Magic Caravan."

In 1963, the wire company for which he was employed moved him to Michigan to take over the operation of a plant. He opened up a small used magic shop in his home in 1968, and eventually expanded the outfit selling wholesale magic along with selling at numerous conventions. He continued to expand the business until 1974, when he opened a retail store in neighboring Ann Arbor called "The Magic Emporium."

Moorehouse has been affiliated with several magic organizations throughout his career including the Magic Masters Club in Chicago, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Magic Collectors Association, Magic Castle and the Magic Circle (A.I.M.C.), served as the President of the Magic Dealers Association (1973-1975).

In 1972, Moorehouse helped form the Ann Arbor SAM Assembly No. 88 and served as its president for the first two years. In 1979, the members of the club re-named their club "The Hank Moorehouse Assembly 88."

By 1970, Moorehouse had attended over 125 magic conventions, performed in 31 states, throughout Canada, as well as in England, Germany and Norway. He performed in every area of Hollywood's Magic Castle and at almost every major convention.[2]

Moorehouse died suddenly while in Beijing, Chino while promoting a two week tour of close-up magic. There was already plans for a tribute to him at the SAM 2011 convention in Pittsburgh and honor him with the Milbourne Christopher Foundation Lifetime Achievement award on the final day of the convention.[3]

References

  1. Cover, MUM, June 2011
  2. Magician of the Month, MUM, August 1981
  3. http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=247958