One of Michigan's most famous people was the late Harry Bouton Jr....that was his real name. People around the world knew him as magician Harry Blackstone Jr.

According to findagrave.com, Harry was born in the Michigan town of Three Rivers on June 30, 1934 and was the son of another world famous magician Harry Blackstone Sr.

Blackstones' stage persona was extremely friendly and generous, not scary so he would appeal to all audiences, young and old.

Among his many, many television performances were
“Donahue”
“Reading Rainbow”
“Super Mario Brothers Super Show”
“Today Show”
“Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”

He also hosted specials on HBO and appeared on many other talk and variety shows in America and the British Isles, and had a recurring role on the soap opera “Santa Barbara” as 'Dr. Mephisto'.

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1979: Named Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts.
1985: Named Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts.

Blackstone would also become a well-known television personality, hosting two specials for HBO, one for PBS, commercials for Jiffy Pop, and making frequent appearances on various talk, variety, and dramatic programs in both the United States and Britain.

He had a recurring role on the PBS series "Square One TV," wrote three books and even tweaked his father's book, "Blackstone's Secrets of Magic Tricks."

Not stopping at TV and stage appearances, he also did special effects for Rock & Pop stars like Alice Cooper, Earth Wind & Fire, Jane's Addiction, Michael Jackson, and New Kids On The Block. Even further, he produced a series of amateur magic kits for kids and beginning magicians.

At the time of his death he was the most highly awarded magician of all time.

Blackstone died on May 14, 1997, in Loma Linda, California at the age of 62 due to pancreatic cancer. He was 62 years old. His body was brought back to Michigan, where he was buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Colon, St. Joseph County. When he passed away, he left one heck of a legacy: he was the most highly-awarded magician in history.

Take a look at the gallery below which includes his final resting place.

Michigan's Top Magician, Harry Blackstone Jr.

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