Channing Pollock (magician)

In 1971 he abandoned show business entirely, and he and his Cori set up an organic farm in San Gregorio, California, near Moss Beach. He continued, however, to act as a friend and mentor to many aspiring magicians like James Dimmare.

After his divorce with Jozy, Pollock re-married to Corrie Shoong in 1968 and soon retired. However, it was not official until he did his last performance on his friend Peter Pit's television show, “Watch Closely” later that year. In retirement, he and his new wife Cori, visited the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California as well many magic conventions. He made brief appearances on various television shows doing card fans. On the 1996 television show called Champions of Magic, Pollock even produced a dove for Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

His second marriage was to Josephine (Jozy) Bolton from England on January 13, 1960, to her knight in shining armor. Jozy soon became his onstage partner as well, being forced to wear a brunette wig. The marriage became rocky and they divorced in 1968

In 1959 his act was seen in the film European Nights, and the following year he decided to give up his career as a magician to become an actor. He appeared in a number of thrillers and dramas, including Musketeers of the Sea (1962), with Aldo Ray and Pier Angeli; Lo sceicco rosso (1962); Rocambole [fr] (1963); and Georges Franju's Judex (1963), in which he played the title character. According to Jacques Champreux, grandson of Louis Feuillade and co-scenarist of the film, he was being touted as a possible new Rudolph Valentino. Nothing came of it. He also appeared on several American variety shows such as Bonanza, Daniel Boone, and The Beverly Hillbillies.

He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1954, and went on to make several appearances at the London Palladium. By the mid-1950s Pollock was unsurpassed in his field, and he had spawned a great many imitators. But his act was unique, and the excitement in his routine was so tied up with his own personality (he always made a point of never smiling until he was taking his final bow) that copyists never had quite the same impact.

In 1954 the Academy of Magical Arts and Sciences awarded him Magician of the Year.

After serving in the US Navy during World War II, Channing married his childhood sweetheart, Naomi Phelps, a daughter of a preacher man. He first became interested in magic at the age of 21. Pollock used his G.I. Bill to study at the Chavez School of Magic in La Verne, California from which he graduated in 1952. After graduating from the famed Chavez School of Magic in Hollywood, Californai, Naomi soon became his partner on stage until their divorce in 1959. The marriage produced one son, Russell.

Channing Pollock (August 16, 1926 – March 18, 2006) was an American magician and film actor.