Chung Ling Soo

AKA:
The World's Greatest Magician
Birth Name:
William Ellsworth Robinson
Birth Date:
April 16, 1861
Birth Place:
Westchester County, New York
Death Date:
March 24, 1918
Place of Death:
Passmore Edwards Cottage Hospital, London, England, UK
Age:
56
Cause of Death:
Accidental gunshot wound to the lung during his stage act
Cemetery Name:
East Sheen Cemetery
Claim to Fame:
Other Entertainers
Associates:
At the beginning of the 20th century, audiences across Europe were wowed by a Chinese magician who drew on ancient Asian mysticism to perform illusions and contact the spirit realm. But he was, in fact, none of these things, as “Chung Ling Soo” was actually William Ellsworth Robinson, an American of Scottish ancestry who built a phony, racist Chinese persona and magic act based directly on that of another magician, Chung Ling Foo (who actually was Chinese). Yet audiences looked past the obvious identity theft as Chung Ling Soo was actually a great magician.

Fun Fact

William Robinson had adopted the persona of Chung Ling Soo so convincingly that only his wife and multiple girlfriends knew his real secret. It was only when, during his final performance at the Wood Green Empire Theatre in London, the final trick of the “bullet catching illusion” went horribly wrong and Soo was shot in the chest. It was only then that Chung Ling Soo broke character and spoke in perfect English, “Oh my God. Something’s happened. Lower the curtain.” These were the last words he ever spoke and died the next day.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

East Sheen Cemetery

Sheen Road

Richmond, , TW10 5BJ

England, United Kingdom

Europe

Map:

Grave Location:

Section B, Grave 219/220/221

Grave Location Description

As you enter through the main gate on Sheen Road, drive past the cemetery office and the first section you see on the right is Section B. The angel monument is visible from the road.

Photos:

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FAQ's

Chung Ling Soo was born on April 16, 1861.

Chung Ling Soo was born in Westchester County, New York.

Chung Ling Soo died on March 24, 1918.

Chung Ling Soo died in Passmore Edwards Cottage Hospital, London, England, UK.

Chung Ling Soo was 56.

The cause of death was Accidental gunshot wound to the lung during his stage act.

Chung Ling Soo's grave is in East Sheen Cemetery

Read More About Chung Ling Soo:

Videos Featuring Chung Ling Soo:

Watch YouTube video titled Who Killed Chung Ling Soo narrated by Boris Karloff
Who Killed Chung Ling Soo narrated by Boris Karloff
Watch YouTube video titled The only known video of Chung Ling Soo
The only known video of Chung Ling Soo
Watch YouTube video titled Lost Magic Decoded web exclusive: Chung Ling Soo
Lost Magic Decoded web exclusive: Chung Ling Soo
Watch YouTube video titled The Bizarre and Magical Duel Between Chung Ling Soo and Ching Ling Foo
The Bizarre and Magical Duel Between Chung Ling Soo and Ching Ling Foo
Watch YouTube video titled Chung Ling Soo - recreation
Chung Ling Soo - recreation
Watch YouTube video titled The Death of Chung Ling Soo. Tragic Story of the
The Death of Chung Ling Soo. Tragic Story of the "Chinese" Magician

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