Sunday, October 05, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Get well soon, Mr. Horn

Las Vegas icon Roy Horn injured during Friday evening show

Both of these men are Southern Nevada icons -- devoting themselves to local charities and other community events -- and serving as worldwide ambassadors for the glitz and glamour that defines the Strip.

A handful of entertainers are inextricably linked to Las Vegas -- among them, Elvis, Wayne Newton ... and Siegfried and Roy.

On Friday, Roy Horn -- "Roy" in the latter -- was seriously injured when a 7-year-old tiger named Montecore mauled the illusionist during a show at The Mirage. He was taken to University Medical Center where he underwent surgery and was in critical condition late Saturday.

The tiger apparently refused a command to lie down and bit Mr. Horn on the right arm. The entertainer attempted to persuade the animal to release its grip, but the tiger proceeded to bite Mr. Horn on the neck and drag him out of the audience's view.

"There were a couple of gasps and people thought it was part of the act, and then it was real quiet," said one audience member. Said another attendee: "I thought it was part of the show. The audience went quiet."

Make no mistake: Working with wild animals -- even for professionals -- is an incredibly risky business. Both Siegfried and Roy understand this.

But that doesn't make the incident any less upsetting to Las Vegans. Both of these men are Southern Nevada icons -- devoting themselves to local charities and other community events -- and serving as worldwide ambassadors for the glitz and glamour that defines the Strip.

They have wowed audiences here since 1966, when the German-born entertainers made their debut at the Tropicana's "Folies Bergere." In 1978, they took over the top of the marquee at the Stardust's "Lido de Paris" -- moving to the Frontier in 1981, where over seven years they took the stage some 3,500 times.

After accepting a multimillion-dollar contract to appear at the newly constructed Mirage in 1990, they earned a lifetime contract in February 2001 to perform there -- a recognition of their drawing power and influence as Strip performers.

When word of Friday night's accident filtered through town, shock and sympathy were the obvious reactions. Several high-profile entertainers descended upon UMC to express their sympathies. Mr. Horn's condition appeared to be improving over the day. We can safely speak for all Las Vegans when we say our prayers are with Roy Horn.