Carl Ballantine was an American comedy magician. He made a name for himself in the 1960s sitcom McHale’s Navy when he played Lester Gruber. He began his magical career by imitating a barber but quickly found that his comedy-filled magic acts garnered more laughter than awe. Prior to his successful TV career, he billed himself as The Amazing Ballantine and focused more on comedy than traditional magic tricks. He was born Meyer Kessler in Chicago, Illinois. Steve Martin, another actor and a former professional magician, honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Fellowship from the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Carl Ballantine was born on September 27, 1917 in Illinois, United States. Carl Ballantine died on November 3, 2009 at the age of 92 years in . Discover below for comprehensive details about Carl Ballantine, including the biography, wiki profile, age, date of birth, family background, relationship status, interesting facts, photographs, lesser-known facts, and more.
Carl Ballantine Wiki Table
| Stage Name | Carl Ballantine |
| Real Name | Carl Ballantine |
| Profession(s) | Magician, |
| Birthday | September 27, 1917 |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Death | Died on November 3, 2009 (14 years ago) (Age: 92 years) in |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthplace | Illinois, United States |
| Hometown | Illinois, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
Carl Ballantine Family and Personal Life
- Carl Ballantine was born in Illinois, United States.
- Carl Ballantine’s birth sign is Libra.
Carl Ballantine Biography and Facts
- Who is Carl Ballantine?: Carl Ballantine was an American comedy magician who gained fame in the 1960s sitcom McHale’s Navy, playing the character Lester Gruber.
- Early Life: He was born Meyer Kessler in Chicago, Illinois.
- Career Beginnings: Ballantine initially learned magic acts from a barber, but he soon discovered that his comedy-filled performances received more laughter than awe.
- McHale’s Navy: Before his popular television act, he billed himself as The Amazing Ballantine and emphasized comedy over traditional magic tricks. In the 60s sitcom McHale’s Navy, he played the character Lester Gruber, a bumbling and incompetent magician who entertained the crew aboard the USS Sebastian.
- Deeply Loved: He was deeply loved by the crew who always looked forward to his attempts at magic, which usually ended in a spectacular failure.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: In recognition of his accomplishments, Steve Martin, another actor and a former professional magician, presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Fellowship from the Magic Castle in Hollywood.