Roy Horn of ‘Siegfried and Roy’ Dies of COVID-19 Complications

Roy Horn of “Siegfried & Roy” has died of complications from COVID-19 at the age of 75.

The illusionist, whose real name is Uwe Ludwig, was best known for being one half of magic act Siegfried & Roy. He had tested positive for coronavirus last month according to reports.

A fixture on the Vegas strip for decades after being discovered in 1967, Siegfried & Roy wowed fans at the Mirage Resort & Casino with their flamboyant magical show. It was October 2003, when Roy was part of an on-stage accident when a 7-year-old, 380-pound white tiger named Mantecore bit his neck and dragged him off stage. The mauling left Horn partially paralyzed and barely able to speak. Horn always insisted the tiger did not attack him and that his paralysis was due to suffering a stroke, and that Mantecore was simply trying to save him.

His longtime partner Siegfried Fischbacher, said in a statement,

"Today, the world has lost one of the greats of magic, but I have lost my best friend. From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried. Roy was a fighter his whole life including during these final days. I give my heartfelt appreciation to the team of doctors, nurses and staff at Mountain View Hospital who worked heroically against this insidious virus that ultimately took Roy's life."

Siegfried & Roy performed onstage for the very last time at a 2009 charity event to benefit Las Vegas' Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.