Vegas magician Dirk Arthur, last of wild-animal showmen, dies

The last entertainer to use exotic animals in a Las Vegas stage show has died.

Dirk Arthur, who started as a specialty at in “Jubilee” in 1997 and performed at several Vegas showrooms, died Friday at his home in Las Vegas. He was 63, with his 64th birthday upcoming Oct. 29.

Clark County officials reported Wednesday morning that Arthur, legal name of Dirk A. Gingell, died on Friday. size and manner are pending.

Arthur’s friend and fellow magician Jay Owenhouse confirmed Tuesday that a housemate of Arthur’s found him unresponsive in his bedroom on Sunday.

Owenhouse is purchasing Arthur’s property, as he is opening a show (without exotic animals) in a tent across from Mandalay Bay on the Strip (in January 2022, Owenhouse attempted to run a show with three Bengal tigers, but withdrew his request after pushback from Clark County officials).

Arthur, in turn, had been planning to take over a theater in Branson, Mo. to open a new show himself. That show was reportedly to include Arthur’s 10 famous cats. He also planned to live at the theater.

Owenhouse was working on landscaping at the property on Friday and Saturday. He last saw Arthur on Friday. The magician Sunday, when Arthur was discovered in his bedroom.

“When I didn’t see him or hear from him on Sunday, I knew something was wrong,” Owenhouse said Tuesday, noting that he will care for Arthur’s collection of exotic animals until they can be released to a reputable sanctuary. “I just want to find them the a really good home to honor Dirk.” Owenhouse is delaying the opening of his show to Nov. 5 to care for the animals.

Arthur had most recently worked as an usher at Westgate’s International Theater and Westgate Cabaret. Over the past two years, Arthur also performed magic for kids on Saturday afternoons at Lost Worlds Myths & Magic Fun World in Henderson.

Arthur’s longtime Las Vegas PR rep Laura Herlovich said Arthur had been optimistic about his upcoming venture in Branson. Herlovich worked with Arthur on and off beginning in 1997, when he was was featured in the famed “Jubilee” adult revue.

“Dirk always had a positive attitude, no matter what difficulties he faced. When people didn’t believe in him, he believed in himself,” Herlovich said, her voice wavering, Monday afternoon. “He loved his animals. He would go without food so they could eat. He never said anything bad about anybody, even when he went through so many obstacles after animals were no longer being used in shows and people like PETA were coming after him.”

Arthur and his exotic cats that lived on 1-acre habitat off Blue Diamond Road near the Silverton. Over the years his roster included white and orange tigers, panthers, jaguars, leopards, cougars and a white lion. He also used various birds (including chickens, doves and ducks) in the show.

At his peak, Arthur used such big effects as a 45-foot-long Amtrak locomotive and 26-foot-long helicopter in his production.

Arthur zigzagged the city in numerous production shows. Following his debut in “Jubilee,” he went on to perform at the Silverton, Plaza, Tropicana, O’Sheas, Riviera and the Westgate.

Arthur also performed for a time at Harrah’s in Reno and Laughlin, being called upon by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clear up safety infractions.

Westgate was the location of Arthur’s final production, a 5½-month run in that was magic only, no animals, in 2018. Arthur’s final show with the exotic cats was a run at Westgate from September 2015 through March 2016. Titled “Wild Illusions,” that show remains the last Las Vegas production to use exotic animals.

Arthur was known as a friendly, beguiling entertainer who was quick to joke around and made considerable effort to care for his animals. But animal-rights activists aggressively protested his performances, cutting short his last attempt to return to the stage at Notoriety Live in August 2022.

Though no contract was signed, Arthur had hoped to bring back his show, to be called “Magic Unleashed,” to the Fremont Street entertainment complex. Those plans were undercut by aggressive protests from activists, who had seen enough of using wild animals for entertainment purposes.

Venue operator Ken Henderson received more than 400 emails protesting the proposed show, prompting the decision to halt plans for Arthur’s return.

But the veteran showman, who started performing more than 40 years ago, always countered that he put a high premium on his animals’ care. He had hoped to use the platform at Notoriety to educate ticket-holders, while returning to stage work after the pandemic shutdown.

“After a crazy long break from performing due to Covid-19 canceling several jobs, I’m excited for another Vegas engagement,” Arthur said as he developed that new show. “I will focus on more on education about preserving wildlife than ever before as this has become an all-encompassing passion over the years.”

Arthur always maintained he would return to performance. As he announced his last show at the Westgate and in the face of myriad obstacles, he said, “I was trying to keep focused. I felt like some positive things were happening, even if we weren’t sure, specifically, what they were. I always felt I would keep working.”

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.