André Kole (born Robert J. Gurtler Jr.; September 30, 1936 – October 17, 2022) was an American
magician and inventor of magical effects.
He was also a committed
Christian
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
and a public speaker for the evangelical group
Campus Crusade for Christ
Cru (until 2011 known as Campus Crusade for Christ—informally "Campus Crusade" or simply "Crusade"—or CCC) is an interdenominational Christian parachurch organization. It was founded in 1951 at the University of California, Los Angeles by ...
. He was also known for using his magical knowledge to debunk frauds and hoaxes.
Biography
Robert Gurtler was inspired to take up magic at the age of seven after seeing a performance. By the time he was 20, now known as André Kole, he was performing his ''
Table of Death The table of death is a predicament escape that may be regarded as a magic trick or an act of escapology.
Description
The apparatus consists of a substantial table with an array of menacing metal spikes suspended above it. The basic premise is th ...
'' trick on the national network television show ''
You Asked for It
''You Asked for It'' is a human interest television show created and hosted by Art Baker (actor), Art Baker. Initially titled ''The Art Baker Show'', the program originally aired on American television between 1950 and 1959. Later versions of ...
''.
Among the illusions Kole is credited with devising are the
Squeeze Box illusion (licensed to builder
John Gaughan
John Gaughan (born 1940) is an American manufacturer of magic acts and equipment for magicians based in Los Angeles, California. His style of work is classic, not based heavily on machinery and technology.
Professional illusionists have noted hi ...
), and the
Head Mover illusion
A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may not ...
(as performed by
David Copperfield
''David Copperfield''Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work; see is a novel by English author Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from infancy to matur ...
, Tim Kole and Kirby Van Birch).
He also used his magical knowledge and skills to debunk frauds and hoaxes. He was reported in 2003 as offering one million dollars to the Rev. Dr. Donald Stewart if Stewart could prove a statement made in the Jamaican newspaper, the
Jamaica Gleaner
''The Gleaner'' is an English-language, morning daily newspaper founded by two brothers, Jacob and Joshua de Cordova on 13 September 1834 in Kingston, Jamaica.
It is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the Western Hemisphere. Original ...
, that Satan gives supernatural powers.
Personal life
Kole's wife, Alice Jean Gurtler, died at age 38 from brain cancer. She was known by the stage name, Aljeana. He notes on his website that he does not perform the classic trick of
pulling a rabbit from a hat because he is allergic to rabbits. He is the father of illusionist Tim Kole.
Notable awards
In 1955 he received the annual Al Sharpe Award for Originality in Presentation from the Texas Association of Magicians.
Books
Andre Kole and AL Janssen, "MIRACLES OR MAGIC? ESP, Faith Healing, Fortune Telling, Hypnosis, UFO's, Astrology, MindReading, Levitation, Published: Harvest House Publisher (c.1984),
"André Kole with Jerry MacGregor, ''Mind Games: Exposing today's psychics, frauds and false spiritual phenomena'', pub. Harvest House (February 1998),
André Kole and Terry Holley, ''Astrology and psychic phenomena'', Published: Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan, (c.1998), (pbk.)
References
External links
Official website for André Kole the magician*
''Genii magazine forum'' pagedated December 2005 about a "walking on water" trick.
* Walking on water:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kole, Andre
1936 births
Living people
American magicians