If you were to ask a non-magician to describe what they think a magic show should look like, most likely they would describe a magician and an assistant with large elaborate boxes and props onstage. If you were to ask that same person where that magician and that assistant got their training, or where those boxes and props came from they would certainly have no idea.

Most magicians however know the names of those creative minds that helped developed those magicians and those props and today we lost one of those giants. His name was Paul Osborne. Paul was a great illustrator and designer who also understood how props and performer were intertwined. He understood all of this because he was also an accomplished magician and performer himself.

Paul Osborne became a magic legend. As a producer, director and writer he brought the concept of family magic and illusion shows to theme parks around the world. He also worked on shows for many other variety acts. Many of today’s top magicians got their start in show business as an act on one of Paul Osborne’s productions. His career also spanned decades of work on TV shows, live performances and behind the scenes work.

He’s consulted and designed illusions for David Copperfield, David Blaine and a host of other top magicians. Within the magic community, most magazine readers will recognize his name from GENII, MAGIC and M-U-M where he would share distinctive artwork that detailed how to build illusions. Many of these plans became part of his Osborne Illusion Systems books and plans.

Born in 1949, Paul’s magical career began at age 5 in Dallas, Texas when a local magician named Mark Wilson performed at his birthday party and gave him his TV Magic Kit. Mark Wilson had a local television show called “Time For Magic”. Of course, Mark soon became one of the biggest names in the art of magic.

Paul stayed with magic and he performed professionally through his High School and college years. He was awarded Best Club Act and Best Act trophies at the Texas Association of Magicians convention in Corpus Christi. After college he became a Disc Jockey and played “The Ring Master” on THE BOZO SHOW.

In 1973 he formed Paul Osborne and Associates and designed shows for Six Flags, Disneyland, Cypress Gardens, Great Adventure and many other theme parks across North America. Soon these shows would be produced all over the world. They specialized in creating characters, designing the costumes, puppets, magic show props and sets. In other words, they were “turnkey specialists” for the world’s top destinations. They also designed props, sets and illusions for Broadway productions and many network television specials.

Throughout the years Paul remained in Dallas inspiring magicians and illusionists world-wide to step up their game and to move the art of magic forward. He was mentor, idol and the one person that many of today’s entertainers looked up to when it comes to magic.

According to reports, Paul suffered from a sudden and unexpected cerebral hemorrhage this morning and never regained consciousness. He is survived by his amazing wife Michelle. Osborne Illusion systems posted the following notice on their website. “Please rest assured that Illusion Systems will continue to exist and operate as we always have in spite of the sudden and untimely passing of our creator, Paul Osborne. We will continue to endeavor to bring you the same quality product that we always have.”

D Magazine did a wonderful article on Paul in 2012. To read that article, please CLICK HERE.

Ventriloquist Jay Johnson published a brilliant memorial for Paul this morning. To read it please CLICK HERE.