Karrell Fox
(East Rainelle, West Virginia: 30 January 1928 - 12 March 1998)
Inspired by and learned from props left at his father's hotel by a skip-out magician in 1937. Debut at age 11. Demoed for Harold Sterling's and Abbott's Detroit shops in early 1940s. Appeared on Ed Sullivan's TV show at age 18 at which age he co-owned a magic shop in Detroit.
Studied psychology in college and hypnotism in London for a year. Pro comedy magician-mentalist-hypnotist, playing many roles. Billed as "King of Korn" (by 1947 and ever since). Succeeded Clare Cummings as "Milky the Clown" on Detroit TV c1964-c1967. Mentor of Mark Tripp.
Many inventions including "T.V. Trick" (1956) and "Spots Before Your Eyes" (1957). Many trophies and awards, including 1949 Sphinx Award, 1981 AMA Best Lecturer, 1983 H. Adrian Smith Literary Award, and 1985 AMA Creative Fellowship. IBM President 1986-87. MIMC 1988. 1993 AMA Literary Fellowship. 1993 SAM Hall of Fame. 1997 Christopher Award for Lifetime Achievement. Died at Las Vegas Desert Seminar in his sleep.
Wrote several booklets including Kornfidentially Yours (1954, 49pp; repr 1961) and 6 books: Clever Like a Fox (1976, 200pp), Another Book (1979, 320pp), Abra-K-Fox (1983, 128pp), For My Next Trick (1986, 184pp), My Latest Book (1988, 160pp), Much Ado About Something (1995, 164pp). Articles in most major magic magazines, including New Phoenix. 2 videos (1984 and 1989).
