Mark Wilson, pioneering TV magician, dies at 91

The Hollywood Reporter

Wilson, who died Jan. 18, played a pioneering role in proving that magic could thrive on television as host of The Magic Land of Allakazam, which he co-starred on with wife Nani Darnell. The 1960-1965 series was the first magic show of its kind. "Prior to Wilson, magic on TV was limited to short spots on shows like Ed Sullivan's. Wilson pioneered the idea that there was a wide audience for a television series based on magic," Penn & Teller said in a statement.