Melinda Saxe
Melinda Saxe | |
---|---|
Born | dancer | March 6, 1965
Years active | 1983–present |
Known for | The first woman magician to perform in Las Vegas |
Spouses | |
Partner | Rich Little (1988–1991) |
Children | 2 |
Parent(s) | Richard Saxe Bonnie Saxe |
Relatives | David Saxe (brother) |
Melinda Saxe (born March 6, 1965) is a
Early life
Saxe was born in Tennessee on March 6, 1965,[citation needed] to band leader Richard Saxe (born 1933) and dancer/show producer Bonnie Saxe (born 1941).[1] She was born in a small town in Tennessee. At the age of three, Saxe moved to Las Vegas after her mother Bonnie landed a spot as a showgirl in the Folies Bergere show at the Tropicana.[citation needed] Saxe has two siblings, Suzanne and Las Vegas stage producer David Saxe.[1] Saxe became interested in magic at the age of 16, and practiced it all day long from that point on.[1] Saxe graduated from Bonanza High School in Las Vegas as a junior in 1982.[citation needed] At the age of 17, she joined Siegfried & Roy's magic show as a dancer.[1][2]
Career
Her title of "First Lady of Magic" originated as the billing for the various shows she presented in a succession of Las Vegas venues. Saxe is the first woman magician to perform in Las Vegas. Saxe starred in her first show at the Bourbon Street Hotel and Casino, when she was 19.[1][3]
Moving on from Bourbon Street,
Saxe had a residency at
Saxe stopped performing in 2002, saying she intended to devote herself to starting a family with her new husband. In 2012, Melinda returned to the stage in the Planet Hollywood resort's V: The Ultimate Variety Show, one of several Las Vegas Strip productions helmed by her brother David Saxe.[10]
Awards
In 1998, the International Magicians Society named her "Magician of the Year" in its "Merlin" awards.[11]
Personal life
Saxe married fellow magician
Saxe was engaged to Rich Little, but broke off the three-year relationship in 1991, saying she had discovered that he had secretly videotaped them having sex. Saxe sued Little for defamation, invasion of privacy, and inflicting emotional distress.[12] Little claimed the videotaping was consensual.[13][14] The lawsuit was settled out of court.[15]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Geeslin, Ned; Blessing, Angela (September 5, 1988). "Melinda Saxe, Who Levitates Toward Magic's Highest Realm". People. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Melinda has a bag of tricks for Landmark". Los Angeles Times. May 22, 1988. Retrieved March 9, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Jerry Lewis Telethon may leave Entertainment Capital". Arizona Republic. January 21, 1990. Retrieved March 9, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Melinda continues Landmark shows during the summer". Los Angeles Times. June 26, 1988. Retrieved March 9, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Graham, Jefferson (July 21, 1989). "New family emphasis may strip Vegas of glitz, glamour". San Bernardino Sun. Gannett News Service. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Calendar". Arizona Republic. May 29, 1988. Retrieved March 9, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Melinda's magic showcased nightly". Los Angeles Times. February 19, 1989. Retrieved March 9, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Melinda's 'Mystery of Malaquena' truly unique". Arizona Republic. May 28, 1989. Retrieved March 9, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- IMDb
- ^ Fernelius, Katherine. "Reappearing Act". Vegas Seven Magazine. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ^ "Merlin Award Recipients". International Magicians Society. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ "WOMAN SAYS RICH LITTLE VIDEOTAPED LOVEMAKING". Orlando Sentinel. January 5, 1992. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ Macy, Robert (January 22, 1992). "Rich Little Says Seamy Saga Likely to Go On". Associated Press. Associated Press. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Little to replace ex-fiancee at hotel". Tulsa World. Associated Press. January 17, 1992. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Laugh Lines". Ottawa Citizen. August 19, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
External links
- Melinda Saxe at IMDb