array(1) {
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string(156) "Grave of Mark Sandman. Mark Sandman was born on September 24, 1952 and died in Giardini del Principe, Palestrina, Italy due to Heart attack on July 3, 1999."
}
array(1) {
[0]=>
string(174) "Grave of Bunk Johnson. Bunk Johnson was born on December 27, 1885 and died in 638 Franklin Street, New Iberia, Louisiana due to Lingering effects of a stroke on July 7, 1949."
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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:
Read More About Chung Ling Soo:
Videos Featuring Chung Ling Soo:
Who Killed Chung Ling Soo narrated by Boris Karloff
The only known video of Chung Ling Soo
Lost Magic Decoded web exclusive: Chung Ling Soo
The Bizarre and Magical Duel Between Chung Ling Soo and Ching Ling Foo
Chung Ling Soo - recreation
The Death of Chung Ling Soo. Tragic Story of the "Chinese" Magician
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