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Herman L. Weber (b.1900-d.1953) performed as Namreh (Herman backwards).

Biography

Herman Ludwig Weber was a nationally known magician who performed under a variety of stage names including “Namreh,” “Namreh the Great,” “Weber the Wizard,” "The Wizard Weber," and "Mr. Hocus Pocus.” A magician since age 18, he was a friend of other famous magicians such as Harry Blackstone Sr., Howard Thurston and Harry Houdini. Weber published several books about magic in his lifetime.

Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of Daniel George Weber and Bertha V. Ludwig, Weber later recalled that he first became interested in magic at the age of five or six when he saw a magic show at Central Park in Allentown. When he was seven, a magic catalog from Schwartz & Co., Reading, Pennsylvania further roused his interest in performing magic tricks. An order to Sears, Roebuck and Co. brought him a set of tricks and his first magic wand for the grand sum of $4.98. In those years, Allentown was a hotbed of magic and young Weber received encouragement and advice from many older magicians. At the age of fifteen, he was giving magic shows in the front parlor of his house on North 17th street. Soon he was good enough to appear at the Hotel Allen.

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+[[File: Namreh1.png|right|thumb|200px|[[ Herman L. Weber]]]]
-[[File: AmazingJohnathan1.png|right|thumb|200px|[[ Amazing Johnathan]]]]
+'''Herman L. Weber''' (b.1900-d.1953) performed as ''Namreh'' (Herman backwards).
-'''John Edward Szeles''' (b.1958-d.2022), better known by the stage name '''The Amazing Johnathan''', was an American stand-up comedian/magician.
 == Biography ==
-His act was mostly composed of hijinks, interaction with one specific audience member and a few legitimate magic tricks which often failed for comic effect. From 2001, he was a year-round headliner in Las Vegas. Self-described as the "Freddy Krueger of Comedy", Szeles usually performed wearing his ever present headband and his shows frequently used gore, such as pretending to suck on his own hanging eyeball, cutting his wrists, and skewering his own tongue. He was also good friends with fellow performer [[Criss Angel]], and had helped Angel perform a variety of illusions, most notably during his three guest appearances on [[Mindfreak]].
+Herman Ludwig Weber was a nationally known magician who performed under a variety of stage names including “Namreh,” “Namreh the Great,” “Weber the Wizard,” "The Wizard Weber," and "Mr. Hocus Pocus.” A magician since age 18, he was a friend of other famous magicians such as [[Harry Blackstone Sr.]], [[Howard Thurston]] and [[Harry Houdini]]. Weber published several books about magic in his lifetime.
-Szeles, who began his career performing in the streets of San Francisco, first appeared on television in ''The 8th Annual Young Comedians Show'' in 1983 and later went on to become the host of the short-lived 1991 syndicated variety/game show ''Ruckus''. He appeared on various talk and variety shows from the mid-80s to mid 2000s. His only credited performance as an actor was The Obligatory Holiday Episode of ''The Weird Al Show'' (playing the part of Uncle Johnathan). He had made several appearances on Late Night with David Lettermen, a record 24 appearances on Fox's Comic Strip Live, and had several specials on Comedy Central including Comedy Central Presents, Lounge Lizards and his own one hour special entitled "Wrong on Every Level."  (November 18, 2006),  He dedicated the special to his Uncle Eugene, who showed him his first card trick which "started this whole mess". His only film appearance was the 2005 documentary ''The Aristocrats''
+Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of Daniel George Weber and Bertha V. Ludwig, Weber later recalled that he first became interested in magic at the age of five or six when he saw a magic show at Central Park in Allentown. When he was seven, a magic catalog from Schwartz & Co., Reading, Pennsylvania further roused his interest in performing magic tricks.  An order to Sears, Roebuck and Co. brought him a set of tricks and his first magic wand for the grand sum of $4.98. In those years, Allentown was a hotbed of magic and young Weber received encouragement and advice from many older magicians. At the age of fifteen, he was giving magic shows in the front parlor of his house on North 17th street. Soon he was good enough to appear at the Hotel Allen.
-[[Amazing Johnathan|Read more about Amazing Johnathan…]]
+[[Herman L. Weber|Read more about Herman L. Weber…]]

Magicpedia:Today's featured article: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:58, 20 October 2024

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