André Kole

André Kole (born Robert J. Gurtler Jr.; September 30, 1936 – October 17, 2022) was an American magician and inventor of magical effects.[1] He was also a committed Christian and a public speaker for the evangelical group Campus Crusade for Christ.[2] He was also known for using his magical knowledge to debunk frauds and hoaxes.

André Kole
Born
Robert J. Gurtler Jr.

(1936-09-30)September 30, 1936
DiedOctober 17, 2022(2022-10-17) (aged 86)
Albany, Oregon, U.S.
EducationSelf-taught
Occupation(s)Magician, writer
Known forMagician and illusionist

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 trick on the national network television show You Asked for It.[1]

Among the illusions Kole is credited with devising are the Squeeze Box illusion (licensed to builder John Gaughan), and the Head Mover illusion (as performed by David Copperfield, Tim Kole and Kirby Van Birch).[3]

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 that Satan gives supernatural powers.[4]

Personal life

Kole's wife, Alice Jean Gurtler, died at age 38 from brain cancer. She was known by the stage name, Aljeana.[5] 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.[6] He is the father of illusionist Tim Kole.[7]

Notable awards

In 1955 he received the annual Al Sharpe Award for Originality in Presentation from the Texas Association of Magicians.[8]

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), ISBN 0-89081-579-8

"André Kole with Jerry MacGregor, Mind Games: Exposing today's psychics, frauds and false spiritual phenomena, pub. Harvest House (February 1998), ISBN 978-1-56507-826-0

André Kole and Terry Holley, Astrology and psychic phenomena, Published: Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan, (c.1998), ISBN 0-310-48921-0 (pbk.)

References
  1. "Brief Biographies of Magic Inventors". Magic Nook. Archived from the original on August 11, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  2. "Biography on official website at www.andrekole.org". Archived from the original on February 8, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2007.
  3. "Illusion Guide: Proprietary designs and Intellectual Property information for new or used illusions". Zigmont Magic. Archived from the original on February 13, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2007. and "Illusion Hotline: Who owns the rights". MagicAuction.Com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2007.
  4. ""André Kole's million-dollar challenge'" by Mark Dawes". Jamaica Gleaner. December 2, 2003. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2007.
  5. "Alice Gurteler succumbs". The Linking Ring. 57 (1): 102. January 1977.
  6. "André Kole Bio". André Kole. Retrieved May 19, 2008.
  7. "'Spellbound' Presents Many Unusual Illusions". Los Angeles Times. February 11, 1990. Retrieved April 15, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Moehring, John (January 2005). "Alton Sharpe 1921-2004". Magic Magazine. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
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