Harry Collins (April 27, 1920 – May 3, 1985) was the official corporate magician for the
Frito-Lay company from 1970 until his death. He was also a
Marine
Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean.
Marine or marines may refer to:
Ocean
* Maritime (disambiguation)
* Marine art
* Marine biology
* Marine debris
* Marine habitats
* Marine life
* Marine pollution
Military
* ...
during
World War II. He promoted Frito-Lay products while doing magic tricks, and was known both as 'Mr. Magic' and as 'The Frito-Lay Magician'.
Biography
Collins was born in
Glasgow, Kentucky, to Paul Collins and Sadie Emerson. He had one older step-brother, three younger sisters, and one younger brother. At the age of fifteen, he became the head of the family after his father died. Working on their farm, planting tobacco and corn without the aid of mules or wagons, he provided for the family as he finished high school. He became interested in
magic
Magic or Magick most commonly refers to:
* Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces
* Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic
* Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...
as a teenager after watching a local attorney, Edward Smith, perform magic tricks.
[^Blitz, Matt (June 2017). "The Story of the Magician of Frito-Lay". Food and Wine. Retrieved February 15th, 2018.]
He died on May 3, 1985, at the age of 65; a life-size bronze statue of him stands on his grave in
Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Collins, Harry
1920 births
1985 deaths
American magicians
American salespeople
Frito-Lay
People from Glasgow, Kentucky
United States Marines
United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
Burials at Cave Hill Cemetery
Military personnel from Louisville, Kentucky