Siegfried, Roy busy with life away from the stage

Just a little more than four years ago the magical run of two of Las Vegas' most famous entertainers ended, nearly tragically.

But over time, heralded Strip headliners Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn have reinvented themselves from illusionists to philanthropists.

And while rumors occasionally run rampant about a reappearance to the stage, there is no full-time return engagement planned at this point.

Kala Peterson, a spokeswoman for Siegfried and Roy, says the two are fully engaged with several charitable works, with which they lend their fame.

"They may consult on other entertainment projects or shows, but that would be the extent of their involvement," Peterson says of the duo, who declined an interview.

The entertainers did recently announce they will do a one-time performance at the "Keep Memory Alive" Alzheimer's fundraiser next year. They revealed no secrets about what the performance will entail, including whether their white lions and tigers will be a part of the act.

Meanwhile, Siegfried and Roy are in the midst of building a new home in the northwest valley, on property they call "Little Bavaria," a reference to their German roots, Peterson says.

Roy is continuing his rehabilitation from the tiger attack that nearly killed him during their show at The Mirage in October 2003. Though, in recent interviews, Roy continues to believe that the tiger, Montecore, sensed Roy was suffering from a stroke and was attempting to drag him to safety.

Roy still spends time with Montecore, his "lifesaver," at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at The Mirage.

Siegfried and Roy, who often are referred to as Las Vegas royalty, made their local debut more than 40 years ago as part of the Tropicana's "Folies Bergere."

They became headliners in 1978 at Stardust's "Lido de Paris" show. After the Stardust, the duo opened a show at the Frontier called "Beyond Belief" in 1981, before casino executive Steve Wynn whisked them away with a five-year, $57.5 million contract to perform at The Mirage. In 2001, MGM Mirage gave the two a lifetime contract to perform at the resort.

While their roles have changed, the two magicians have never betrayed their love for Las Vegas or its people.

The duo remain devoted to the community, though it might have been easier to live a life of quiet reserve.

Their charitable work also is a sign of Roy's recovery. In December, the two walked in the 1-mile portion of Opportunity Village's third annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run.

Roy dropped his cane and walked the 5,280 feet, unassisted.

The event was a point of pride for the two as fan club members from Canada, Germany and across the United States joined Siegfried and Roy, Peterson says.

In 2006, Roy was able to walk only the final 164 feet without the cane.

Siegfried and Roy also are annual sponsors of the Friends for Las Vegas Police K-9 Trials and their efforts to help raise funds for the organization.

Of course, the two have remained committed to the conservation of white tigers and white lions, animals that were once on the brink of extinction, Peterson says.

The magical friends have even become entranced by American politics. The two endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential bid in November, several months before a majority of caucusgoers threw their support behind the former first lady. It's unclear whether Siegfried and Roy's endorsement led to Clinton's victory, but it seemed to have helped more than the Culinary Union's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama.

Besides these efforts, the two often are seen around the valley attending shows and banquets.

During Octoberfest, Siegfried led the Hofbrauhaus band, while Roy, along with magician Hans Klok, chomped down white sausage and drank wheat beer, traditional Bavarian favorites.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2904.