Daryl Easton, a magician best known for his awe-inspiring card tricks, was found dead inside Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle on Friday, according to various news outlets.
He was 61 years old.
The body of the entertainer was found in a closet of the popular private club, which offers upscale a dining experience and magic shows to attendees.
It has been in business since 1963.
A Hollywood police spokesman told the The New York Daily News that employees discovered Easton’s corpse inside a closet, wearing only his underwear.
He had a bag over his head and appeared to have hanged himself.
Cops have ruled the death a suicide.
The Magic Castle has acknowledged Easton’s passing and paid tribute to the late magician on Facebook.
“The magic community mourns the loss of one of our most beloved and talented performers and the AMA’s deepest regrets and heart-felt sympathy go out to Daryl’s family,” reads the social media statement.
Continues the Facebook message, which you can rest in its entirety below:
Daryl was a World Champion, first-place FISM Gold medal winning, close-up magician with over 40 years of experience in both performing and selling the finest magic in the world.
Daryl performed as a headline act at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for seven years fine tuning his already encyclopedic knowledge of magic.
Daryl has performed literally thousands of shows for audiences as diverse as the Witch Doctors on the South Pacific island of Vanuatu to the movers and shakers of the political world at the Presidential Ball in Washington, D.C.
In what can now be confirmed sadly as his final Facebook post, Easton sent his wishes to those affected by the deadly storm that affected southern California last week.
“Thinking of all our SoCal friends,” he wrote on February 18. “Stay safe in this storm! I’ll be heading down that way myself tomorrow for a week at The Magic Castle.”
“Sending lots of love to the magic community tonight!” wrote magician Joel Ward on Twitter in response to this sad news.
Added Jonathan Steigman:
“In the magic world, Daryl was world famous, one of the top creators, teachers and performers. He also won a boatload of awards. #RIP.”
Known as “The Magician’s Magician” among those in his industry, Easton invented a number of famous card tricks, such as the “Hot Shot Cut” and the “Ultimate Ambition.”
May he rest in peace.