Johnny Paul

Johnny Paul ( 1912? - August 20, 1991) was born and raised in Chicago.

Johnny Paul
Born	Chicago
Died	August 20, 1991

He began as a comedy bartender, combining juggling with drink mixing.

In the 1930s he started doing close-up magic in the Gay Nineties room at the La Salle Hotel in Chicago, becoming one of America's first bar magicians. Later he went on to do trade show work.

In 1946 he opened Johnny Paul's Magic Lounge near Chicago and had his own thirty minute TV show. He also performed at conventions, nationwide, for Caterpillar, a well known manufacturer of heavy equipment, for some 27 years.

He opened two supper clubs in California before moving to Las Vegas in 1959. He became the featured magician at the Showboat Hotel in 1962, performing as "the Amusing and Confusing Johnny Paul." He later became the Hotel's entertainment director, which he held until his retirement in June 1990.

Johnny's "Jazz" Cups and Balls routine was never the same twice, making it up as he went along. Pete Biro manufactured an authorized set of Johnny Paul Cups. They were available on an exclusive basis through Stevens Magic Emporium. They were a special design that was made to just fit the sponge balls he used.

He was a member of the SAM and I.B.M. Chicago's Ring 43.

Family

Wife: Winnie; daughter: Anina Arnone; sons: John, Jr. and James.