Gilbert Genesta
Gilbert Genesta (born as Royden Joseph Gilbert Raison DelaGenesta; March 29, 1878 – November 9, 1930) was an American escape artist and magician who died while performing a water barrel escape.[1]
Gilbert Genesta | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 29, 1878 Ashland, Kentucky |
| Died | November 9, 1930 (aged 52) Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Drowning |
| Resting place | Frankfort Cemetery |
| Occupation | Illusionist, magician, stunt performer, escape artist |
| Years active | 1890-1930 |
Biography
He first became interested in magic sometime about 1890 when he witnessed a school house show in Foxburg, Pennsylvania. He went on to perform professionally as Genesta, the wizard of wonders.
Death
On November 9, 1930, Genesta was performing a trick in a Vaudeville Theater in Frankfort, Kentucky, which was associated by Harry Houdini. For Genesta's trick, he was inside a milk can, trying to escape from it. Minutes into the performance, his milk can had been dropped, which damaged the secret escape hatch, rendering it inoperable, and drowned him. Genesta's assistants were unaware of this, and freed him too late.