Roy Horn, half of Las Vegas performing duo Siegfried & Roy, has died from coronavirus at the age of 75. His surviving associate on-and-off stage, Sigfried Fischbacher, stated in a press release Friday that “right now, the world has misplaced one of the greats of magic, however I’ve misplaced my finest buddy.” The pair and their act, which concerned lions, tigers and spectacular outfits, turned synonymous with Las Vegas-style showmanship.

They started a residency at The Mirage in 1990 and in 2001 signed a celebrated “contract for all times” with its proprietor, Steve Wynn. Their success was half of a sea change for Las Vegas shedding its “sin metropolis” baggage and turning into a serious vacation spot inclusive of households and conventions. A statue in bronze of the 2, plus a tiger, will be seen from the Strip.

Roy, born Uwe Ludwig Horn, met Siegfried, 5 years his senior, aboard the cruise ship Bremen in 1960. Siegfried was a steward with a component time gig as a magician. Roy, 15, was the non-public bellboy to the captain. Roy discovered his method into Siegfried’s act, and finally so did Roy’s pet Cheetah. (Roy’s uncle was a director at a German zoo.) The 2 males and a large cat had been a method for achievement.

They labored cruise ships, European nightclubs, the Caribbean and finally got here to Las Vegas in 1981.

In 2003, nevertheless, Roy was gravely injured by a 600 pound white tiger named Montecore. This successfully ended their performing careers, nevertheless all three — Siegfried, Roy, and Montecore, made an look in a 2009 profit.

“From the second we met,” Fischbacher continued in his assertion, “I knew Roy and I, collectively, would change the world. There might be no Siegfried with out Roy, and no Roy with out Siegfried.”

Fellow Las Vegas superstars Wayne Newton, Penn Jillette, and Criss Angel provided their condolences on social media.