Lance Burton

Lance Burton – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

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Lance Burton (born March 10, 1960) is one of America’s most celebrated stage magicians. Learn about his early life, magical career, signature style, legacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

William Lance Burton, better known as Lance Burton, is an American entertainer and stage magician whose elegant performances and classic illusions made him a legend of Las Vegas. With over 15,000 shows before more than five million people during his Las Vegas run alone, Burton’s reputation rests on mastery, showmanship, and a deep respect for the art of magic.

Even in retirement, Burton continues to mentor, make occasional appearances, and influence younger magicians — his life is a testament to discipline, creative refinement, and the power of wonder.

Early Life and Family

Lance Burton was born March 10, 1960, in Columbia, Kentucky, U.S. (though he grew up in and is often associated with Louisville, Kentucky).

From the age of about five, Burton’s fascination with magic took hold. At a Christmas event, local magician Harry Collins performed a trick involving “pulling silver dollars from the sky and from ears,” and young Burton was brought on stage as a volunteer — an experience that would leave a lasting impression.

A neighbor gifted him a book called Magic Made Easy, which had ten tricks. Burton learned them quickly and began doing small performances for children in his neighborhood, charging a nickel per show.

Harry Collins recognized Burton’s obsession and became his mentor during Burton’s teen years. Collins taught Burton not only techniques but the showmanship, discipline, and ethics essential to serious magic performance.

Financial constraints did not deter Burton. Growing up, money was tight; he would ask for magic books or tricks for birthday and Christmas, and supplement his magic budget by mowing lawns or taking part-time work.

In 1977, as a teenager, he entered a magic competition and won first prize, marking his early steps into professional performance.

Career & Achievements

Rise in the Magic World

Burton moved to Southern California, seeking broader opportunities. Soon after, he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on October 28, 1981. His rehearsal work so impressed Carson that Burton was given a special 12-minute routine — a rare gesture. He would later appear on Carson’s show ten times, and ten more times on The Tonight Show under Jay Leno.

In 1982, Burton competed in the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM) championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, and won the Grand Prix, becoming the youngest and first American to take that prize at the time.

His acts centered on sleight-of-hand, dove illusions, card manipulations, and graceful theatrical presentation. Rather than relying heavily on spectacle, Burton’s style emphasized elegance, pacing, and the illusion of inevitability.

Las Vegas Residency & The Lance Burton Theater

Burton’s breakthrough into Las Vegas began with an eight-week trial at Folies Bergère at the Tropicana. The contract was extended, leading to a record nine-year tenure.

In 1996, the Lance Burton Theater opened in the Monte Carlo Resort (Paradise, Nevada), built specifically to host his magic show. The theater seated 1,274, and Burton maintained a long-term contract — performing nightly for years.

He performed more than 5,000 shows for over 5 million people at the Monte Carlo venue.

His contract entailed the longest contract ever granted to a live entertainer in Las Vegas at the time — 13 years.

In 2004, to celebrate his 10th anniversary at the Monte Carlo, he introduced an illusion called “Solid Gold Lady” using $10 million in gold.

However, in 2010, Burton ended his Las Vegas show. His final performance was September 4, 2010, as his contract at Monte Carlo was terminated early.

Awards, Honors & Legacy

• International Brotherhood of Magicians awarded him the Gold Medal of Excellence (1980).

• FISM Grand Prix (1982) — a major international recognition.

• The Academy of Magical Arts (Magic Castle) honored him multiple times: Magician of the Year (1985, 1991), and the Masters Fellowship (2010).

• In 2014, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Academy of Magical Arts.

• In 2016, he received the David Devant Award from The Magic Circle (U.K.), recognizing major contributions to the art of magic.

Even after retirement, Burton remains active in mentoring young magicians, supporting charities, and making occasional performances.

He has also appeared as a judge on Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars.

Personality, Style & Influence

Lance Burton is often described as disciplined, gracious, understated, and deeply respectful of the magic tradition. His performances emphasized elegance over spectacle — letting timing, silence, and pacing create tension rather than relying solely on grand illusions.

He credited his success not just to his own practice but to the teams behind him — prop builders, lighting designers, choreography, timing, and trust.

Burton’s influence is felt by magicians who aspire not just to fool but to enchant: his emphasis on craft over gimmick, consistency over flashy stunts, and giving credit to mentors and collaborators has set a benchmark.

Famous Quotes of Lance Burton

Here are several memorable quotes from Lance Burton, which reflect his humility, craft, and love for magic:

“Perform as many times as you can in front of people you don’t know.”

“I feel like I’m the luckiest person alive. I’m always waiting for that phone call: ‘Hello. We’ve just realized you’re really a no-talent hillbilly. We’ve made a horrible mistake and we’d like you to leave now.’”

“We didn’t have a whole lot of money when I was growing up either … I would always ask for magic books or magic tricks for my birthday … the rest of the year I either had to mow lawns or find part time jobs to help supplement the cost of doing magic.”

“It’s new and different every night. The charge you get from a good audience is like nothing else.”

“I always wanted to go to the Chavez school but I could never afford it when I was growing up … a lot of my learning came from magic books and watching other magicians.”

“I’ve worked nonstop for 31 years … I’ve counted down myself hundreds of cues for everything in each 90-minute show. I’ve never really taken an extended break, so I’d like to see what a vacation is really like.”

These quotes convey a magician who respects the grind, acknowledges fortune, and continually treasures the emotional exchange with an audience.

Lessons from Lance Burton’s Journey

Lance Burton’s life and career offer several enduring lessons:

1. Start young, stay curious
   His childhood fascination, nurtured through books and mentors, set the foundation for mastery.

2. Value mentorship and humility
   Burton never disdained learning from Harry Collins or giving credit to those who supported him.

3. Persistence and discipline
   Decades of nightly performance, cue-by-cue precision, and continual refinement made greatness.

4. Elegance over gimmicks
   True artistry doesn’t always rely on spectacle — sometimes subtler presentation can have more power.

5. Giving back
   Even in retirement, Burton invests energy in supporting younger magicians, preserving the craft.

Conclusion

Lance Burton stands as a paragon in the world of stage magic: masterful, humble, and deeply committed to the art of wonder. His rise from a young boy in Kentucky to a Las Vegas headliner with a theater built in his name is a testament to obsession, refinement, and respect for the traditions of magic. His quotes and choices offer insight not just into a performer’s life, but into how dedication, gratitude, and consistency carve a lasting legacy.