Illusionist Siegfried Fischbacher, best known as half of the duo Siegfried & Roy, has died, his publicist confirmed to The Washington Post. He was 81.
World-renowned illusionists and conservationists Siegfried & Roy pose with their white tiger in this undated photo. The Las Vegas entertainers, honored as Magicians of the Century, perform at The Mirage where they have been the longest and most successful entertainers in the history of Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of Siegfried & Roy/The Mirage via Getty Images)
Siegfried & Roy sing Frank Sinatras "Its Time For You" on the rooftop of The Mirage in this undated photo taken in Las Vegas, NV. The Las Vegas entertainers, honored as Magicians of the Century, joined a host of other Las Vegas headliners in a serenade for the city via a Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority television ad. (Photo courtesy of Siegfried & Roy/The Mirage via Getty Images)
A lifesize photo of Siegfried & Roy overlooks the Las Vegas strip in this undated photo taken in Las Vegas, NV. The Las Vegas entertainers, honored as Magicians of the Century, perform at The Mirage where they have been the longest and most successful entertainers in the history of Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of Siegfried & Roy/The Mirage via Getty Images)
World-renowned illusionists and conservationists Siegfried & Roy pose with Pride, the Magical White Lion in this undated photo. The Las Vegas entertainers, honored as Magicians of the Century, perform at The Mirage where they have been the longest and most successful entertainers in the history of Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of Siegfried & Roy/The Mirage via Getty Images)
1999 Siegfried & Roy With Their White Lions Stage Set Pf their Las Vegas Show "Siegfried & Roy: The Magic Box." (Photo By Getty Images)
404640 03: Magician Roy, of Siegfried & Roy, poses next to a new street sign named in his honor April 30, 2002 in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images)
Magician Roy, of Siegfried & Roy, poses next to a new street sign named in their honor April 30, 2002 in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images)
A new street sign is dedicated in honor of magicians Siegfried & Roy April 30, 2002 in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images)
Magicians Sigfried (C)and Roy (R), participate in the German-American Steuben Parade September 21, 2002 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Rountree/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS – MARCH 25: Entertainers Sigfried (R) and Roy (L) pose for a photograph with a Caesars Gladiator (M) attend the opening night performance of "Celine Dion: A New Day" at The Colosseum, Caesars Palace on March 25, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images)
Siegfried Fischbacher (R) and Roy Horn, world-renowned Las Vegas magicians known as Siegfried and Roy , look at a reticulated giraffe on the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay July 23, 2003 in Tampa, Florida. The performers were taking a break from their Las Vegas show to see their protege, Darren Romeo (C), The Voice of Magic, perform at the adventure park. (Photo by Aimee Jeansonne-Becka/Bush Gradens via Getty Images)
Siegfried Fischbacher waves his award during the World Awards at Hamburg’s Musikhalle October 22, 2003 in Hamburg, Germany. The World Awards is an annual juried competition that presents awards each year to men who have had a positive impact on the world through social, humanitarian or philanthropic principles and who support the causes of peace, freedom and tolerance. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
Mikhail S. Gorbatchev hands over to Siegfried Fischbacher an award during the World Awards at Hamburg’s Musikhalle October 22, 2003 in Hamburg, Germany. The World Awards is an annual juried competition that presents awards each year to men who have had a positive impact on the world through social, humanitarian or philanthropic principles and who support the causes of peace, freedom and tolerance. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
Tourists look at bronze busts of illusionist duo Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino June 28, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Illusionist Siegfried Fischbacher smiles as he appears at French entertainer Line Renaud’s Las Vegas Walk of Stars dedication ceremony at the Paris Las Vegas October 24, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Renaud’s star will be placed at the entrance of the hotel-casino. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy arrive at the opening night of "Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular" at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino June 24, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The USD 75 million show is an all-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "The Phantom of the Opera." (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Phantom)
LAS VEGAS – JUNE 24: Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn of the illusionist duo "Siegfried & Roy" arrive at opening night of "Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular" at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino June 24, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The $75 million show is an all-new production of Webber’s "The Phantom of the Opera." (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Phantom)
Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy attend a pre-show reception on opening night of "Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular" at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino June 24, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The USD 75 million show is an all-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "The Phantom of the Opera." (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Phantom)
Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn (R) of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy, and their longtime manager Bernie Yuman (C) pose with their star outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino during the duo’s Las Vegas Walk of Stars dedication ceremony on Horn’s 62nd birthday October 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy pose with their star outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino during the duo’s Las Vegas Walk of Stars dedication ceremony on Horn’s 62nd birthday October 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Illusionists Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn appear with 6-week-old tiger cubs June 12, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cubs will take up residence at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Hotel & Casino this weekend. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Roy Horn (L) and Siegfried Fischbacher of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy speak outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino during their Las Vegas Walk of Stars dedication ceremony on Horn’s 62nd birthday October 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy cut Horn’s birthday cake at The Mirage Hotel & Casino October 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Horn turned 62 on Tuesday, the same day the duo was honored with a star from the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(L-R) Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Roy Horn and Siegfried Fischbacher of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy look at a tribute the duo received outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino during their Las Vegas Walk of Stars dedication ceremony on Horn’s 62nd birthday October 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Roy Horn (L) and Siegfried Fischbacher of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy, pose in front of thousands of runners dressed in Santa Claus outfits before the second annual 5K Las Vegas Great Santa Run December 9, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Event organizers hoped to break the world record for largest Santa gathering in one place at the run. The event serves as the official warm-up for Sunday’s Las Vegas Marathon and as a fundraising effort to benefit Opportunity Village. Horn and Fischbacher completed the one-mile walk portion of the event. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Opportunity Village)
Illusionists Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn appear with one of five 6-week-old tiger cubs June 12, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cubs will take up residence at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Hotel & Casino this weekend. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Illusionists Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn (R) and Mirage Hotel & Casino President Scott Sibella appear with 6-week-old tiger cubs June 12, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cubs will take up residence at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Hotel & Casino this weekend. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Illusionists Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn appear with 6-week-old tiger cubs June 12, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cubs will take up residence at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Hotel & Casino this weekend. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS – JUNE 19: Illusionist Siegfried Fischbacher of Siegfried & Roy from ‘Women in Boxes’ poses for a portrait during the 2008 CineVegas film festival held at the Palms Casino Resort on June 19, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/Getty Images for CineVegas)
Illusionists Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn pose in front of thousands of runners dressed in Santa Claus outfits before the start of Opportunity Village’s fourth annual 5K Las Vegas Great Santa Run December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Event organizers hoped to break the world record for largest Santa gathering in one place at the run, which serves as the official warm-up for Sunday’s The Las Vegas Marathon. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Siegfried & Roy)
Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy attend the ‘Forever Crazy’ show at Postpalast on December 4, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – DECEMBER 04: Artist Siegfried Fischbacher attends the ‘Forever Crazy’ show at Postpalast on December 4, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 26: Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn attend the 18th annual Keep Memory Alive "Power of Love Gala" benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health honoring Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 26, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 13: Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn attend the 19th annual Keep Memory Alive "Power of Love Gala" benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health honoring Andrea Bocelli and Veronica Bocelli at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 13, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive)
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 12: Siegfried Fischbacher (L) and Roy Horn speak during Criss Angel’s HELP (Heal Every Life Possible) charity event at the Luxor Hotel and Casino benefiting pediatric cancer research and treatment on September 12, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Candles are lit for Roy Horn on a plaque for Horn and his magician partner Siegfried Fischbacher from the Las Vegas Walk of Stars outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after news of Horn’s death at the age of 75 from complications from the coronavirus on May 8, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Horn tested positive for COVID-19 in late April. The illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy headlined at The Mirage from 1990 to 2003, when a white tiger from their show injured Horn, leaving him partially paralyzed. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 08: Saterah Moora of California kneels in front of candles lit for Roy Horn next to bronze busts of Horn and his magician partner Siegfried Fischbacher outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after news of Horn’s death at age 75 from complications from the coronavirus on May 8, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Horn tested positive for COVID-19 in late April. The illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy headlined at The Mirage from 1990 to 2003, when a white tiger from their show injured Horn, leaving him partially paralyzed. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Fischbacher died of pancreatic cancer late Wednesday night at the home he shared with his longtime partner, Roy Horn, in Las Vegas.
His sister, a nun who lives in Munich, told German news agency dpa that she talked to her brother on the phone before he died, The Associated Press reported.
“I could pray with him and tell him that I will always be with him in my heart,” Sister Dolore said.
Born on June 13, 1939 in Rosenheim in Bavaria, Fischbacher learned his first magic tricks as a young boy, dpa reported. He teamed up with Horn after they met on a cruise ship in 1957, according to The Associated Press. Horn had run away from home at 13 and was working as a cabin boy while Fischbacher was a 17-year-old steward on the ship, the Post reported.
The duo, both natives of Germany, spent decades astonishing millions with their extraordinary magic tricks. The Siegfried & Roy show incorporated animal antics and magic tricks, featuring 20 white tigers and lions, the number varying depending on the night. The show also had other exotic animals, including an elephant.
Fischbacher and Horn honed their animal-magic show in small clubs in Germany and Switzerland in the mid-1960s. Their break came in a Monte Carlo casino when an agent in the audience invited them to Las Vegas. The pair made their debut at the Tropicana hotel-casino in the late 1960s.
The illusionists became popular in the 1970s, receiving their first star billing in 1978 as headliners of the Stardust’s “Lido de Paris.” Their show “Beyond Belief” opened in 1981 at the Frontier and played to thousands over seven years.
The pair ended their show in October 2003, after Horn was critically injured by one of the act’s famed white tigers. He died in May due to complications from COVID-19. He was 75.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
