Larry Jennings
(Detroit, Michigan: 17th February 1933 - 18th October 1997)
Born Alfred Lawrence Jennings, legally changed to Larry Jennings in early 1950s by US Navy to avoid payroll confusion with another sailor of same birth name. Plumber to contractor by trade. Learned magic from Ron Wilson. Then moved to Hollywood to study under Dai Vernon. Semi-pro magician. World-class cardman as both inventor and sleight-of-hand artist. Popularized Dick Washington's old LePaul Wallet as the Jennings Wallet. Co-publisher (with Louis Falanga) of "L&L Publishing" from 1986 to c1990 when succeeded by Bruce Cervon. Died from diabetes combined with heavy drinking.
His many inventions in card magic include the Larreverse (by 1967), Immediate Side Steal (by 1977), Pineapple Surprise (1970s), Card in Beer Bottle (1970s), and Pivot Palm (by 1995).
See Jeff Busby (ed), Larry Jennings on Card and Coin Handling (1977, 67pp); Jeff Busby, The Coin and Beer Can (1977); Jim Patton and Ron Vergilio, A Visit with Larry Jennings (1982, 8pp); Mike Maxwell, The Classic Magic of Larry Jennings (1986, 288pp); Stephen Minch, Larry Jennings' Neoclassics (1987, 40pp); Mike Maxwell, Larry Jennings: The Cardwright (1988, 204pp). Tricks in Arcane, Epoptica, Epilogue, Apocalypse, Richard's Almanac, Magic, etc. Videos (1975, 1985, 1979) and video bit (1994).