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André Kole

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André Kole (born Robert Gurtler Jr.; September 30, 1936) is an American magician and inventor of magical effects.[1] He is also a committed Christian and is a public speaker for the evangelical group Campus Crusade for Christ International.[2] He also is known for using his magical knowledge to debunk frauds and hoaxes.

Biography

Robert Gurtler was inspired to take up magic at the age of seven after seeing a performance by Moxo the Magician (Mark E. Barker). By the time he was 20, now known as André Kole, he was performing his Table of Death trick on the national network television show You Asked For It.[1]

Among the illusions Kole is credited with devising are the Squeeze Box illusion (licensed to builder John Gaughan), and the Head Mover illusion (as performed by David Copperfield, Tim Kole and Kirby Van Birch).[3]

He also uses his magical knowledge and skills to debunk frauds and hoaxes. He was reported in 2003 as offering US$1million to the Rev. Dr. Donald Stewart if Stewart could prove a statement made in the Jamaican newspaper the Jamaica Gleaner that Satan gives supernatural powers.[4]

Personal life

Kole's late wife, Alice Jean Gurtler, died at age 38 from brain cancer. She was known by the stage name, Aljeana.[5] He notes on his website that he does not perform the classic trick of pulling a rabbit from a hat because he is allergic to rabbits.[6] He is the father of illusionist Tim Kole.

Notable awards

In 1955 he received the annual Al Sharpe Award for Originality in Presentation from the Texas Association of Magicians.[7]

Books

Andre Kole and AL Janssen, "MIRACLES OR MAGIC? ESP, Faith Healing, Fortune Telling, Hypnosis, UFO's, Astrology, MindReading, Levitation, Published: Harvest House Publisher (c.1984), ISBN 0-89081-579-8

"André Kole with Jerry MacGregor, Mind Games: Exposing today's psychics, frauds and false spiritual phenomena, pub. Harvest House (February 1998), ISBN 978-1-56507-826-0

André Kole and Terry Holley, Astrology and psychic phenomena, Published: Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan, (c.1998), ISBN 0-310-48921-0 (pbk.)

References

  1. ^ a b "Brief Biographies of Magic Inventors". Magic Nook. Archived from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-24. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Biography on official website at www.andrekole.org". Archived from the original on 2007-02-08. Retrieved 2007-03-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Illusion Guide: Proprietary designs and Intellectual Property information for new or used illusions". Zigmont Magic. Archived from the original on 13 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) and "Illusion Hotline: Who owns the rights". MagicAuction.Com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ ""André Kole's million-dollar challenge'" by Mark Dawes". Jamaica Gleaner. 2003-12-02. Retrieved 2007-03-06.
  5. ^ "Alice Gurteler succumbs". The Linking Ring. 57 (1): 102. January 1977.
  6. ^ "André Kole Bio". André Kole. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  7. ^ Moehring, John (January 2005). "Alton Sharpe 1921-2004". Magic magazine. Magic magazine. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
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