Harry Leon Collins was the official corporate magician for the Frito-Lay company from 1970 until his death. He was also a Marine during World War II. Known as both "Mr. Magic" and "The Frito-Lay Magician", Collins entertained across the globe while promoting Frito-Lay products.
Biography
Collins was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, to Paul Collins and Sadie Emerson. He had one older step-brother, three younger sisters and one younger brother. At the age of fifteen, he became the head of the family after his father died. Working on their farm, planting tobacco and corn without the aide of mules or wagons, he provided for the family as he finished high school. He became interested in magic as a teenager after watching a local attorney, Edward Smith, perform magic tricks. Collins joined the Marine Corps immediately after high school graduation. He served as a Marine in World War II and was assigned to special services after being wounded. He sent his entire paycheck back to his widowed mother and younger siblings to provide support, eventually putting all of his siblings through college. He added to his income by performing hand magic and other services, such as ironing and washing for service men going on liberty, and even building his own washer in a barrel powered by a foot pedal. In addition, he supplemented his income working concessions stands at the commissary. While serving in World War II, he became injured while stationed in Saipan. While recuperating in Hawaii, he auditioned for Bob Crosby. The audition was facilitated with the use of a stolen cabbage from a nearby field. He hollowed it out, then set it sideways in his helmet for his hand to create a quasi "rabbit in a hat" trick, thus attracting the attention of Bob Crosby and securing a position in the show. For the rest of his time serving, Collins performed his magic act as part of Bob Crosby's USO show called "This Is The Army Show." After Collins' service was complete, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1952. He was hired as a salesman for the Frito-Lay Corporation, a job he would hold for 45 years. He advanced to a sales manager after being known as the Frito-Lay Man by day and Mr. Magic by night. Mr. Magic became one of Louisville's most popular entertainers. In 1970, he was given the full-time job as Frito-Lay's corporate magician, switching from the Frito-Lay Man to the Frito Lay Magician. Later in Collins' life, he became the mentor to Lance Burton, who attended one of his shows as a young boy. Collins had pulled quarters out of his ear, and from that point on, Burton was amazed. Later, when Burton began doing magic himself, Collins saw his devotion to the art and became his mentor. Collins taught him the techniques and fundamentals of magic, including sleight of hand, the manipulation of playing cards, and the important art of misdirection. Collins was a member of the Louisville Magic Club. Collins married Maxine Warner Lewis in 1980. They enjoyed many travels and adventures on the road as magician and the magician's assistant. After his sudden death on May 3, 1985, Barney Bright was commissioned by his wife to create a life-size bronze statue that was placed at his grave in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.
