Gottlieb Kogel

Gottlieb Kogel
Born	1917
Died	August 26, 2010 New Orleans, Louisiana

Gottlieb Kogel (1917-2010), known as the "Professor," performed magic for over four decades as "Kogel the Magician."

Biography

Kogel said he learned how to perform magic by watching magicians perform on Canal Street. Often he would perform with his wife, Dora, who was a ventriloquist. They often performed a skit where Kogel played the part of the "dummy."

He was the proprietor of Kogel’s Magic and Novelty Company from 1950 to 1985, working out of his second home at the corner of St. Charles and First Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. His primary resident in Lakeview housed much of his antique magic collection and his aviary of doves, which he sold to stage magicians around the world. He was a member of the Magic Dealers Association during the entire time of their existence

After years on the magic circuit, he opened a campground for nudists in 1971 near Slidell. He ran it for thirty-nine years and continued to perform magic tricks for guests at the campground. Jon Stewart, of the now Comedy Central’s Daily Show, once visited Indian Hills to interview Gottlieb and do a show on a nudist magic show which later ran on a cable network.

Until his death at age 93, Kogel was the oldest surviving charter member of Magician’s Club of New Orleans (now known as Eddie J. Adams Magician’s Club of New Orleans – Assembly #36 of The Society of American Magicians) was its first president beginning in June of 1948. He was also a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians for over 60 years and was a founding member of The Crescent City Magicians Club.