Richiardi Jr

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Richiardi Jr. (often billed just as Richiardi), was the stage name of magician Aldo Izquierdo (24 Nov 1923- 6 Sept 1985), who became infamous for dramatic and gory stage presentations of classic stage illusions. Richiardi was the son of another professional magician, who used the stage name Richiardi the Great. He was Peruvian (although sometimes wrongly described as Brazilian or Argentinian).^[1] ^[2]

Richiardi Jr made his name with a series of stage shows featuring versions of established illusions such as sawing through a woman. What made his shows distinctive was that he used fake blood and other techniques to give the impression that he really was cutting or maiming his assistants. In 1949 Time magazine noted that these shock tactics had made his act one of the top earning stage shows in New York.^[3] He continued performing in that city throughout his career, with shows such as The Incredible World Of Magic & Illusion, which ran at The Village Gate in New York in 1978.^[4] Richiardi is also credited with contributing the "floating kiddie car concept" to Doug Henning's successful New York show Doug Henning & His World of Magic.^[5]

Richiardi made many television appearances, including 24 on the Ed Sullivan Show, the most appearances by any magician on that landmark series.^[6] In the 70s he also starred in his own television show Chamber of Horrors, which was introduced by Vincent Price.