Nevada leaders, entertainers remember Siegfried Fischbacher, of Siegfried & Roy

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Siegfried Fischbacher passed away Wednesday night at his home in Las Vegas from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.

Siegfried partnered with Roy Horn for 50 years in creating the legendary magic show of Siegfried & Roy. The duo produced one of the top-grossing shows on the Las Vegas Strip for more than a decade.

ORIGINAL: Siegfried Fischbacher, surviving member of Siegfried & Roy duo, has died

The famed entertainer's passing came just a few months after his long-term partner Roy Horn died because of COVID-19 at the age of 75.

Several Nevada gaming, hospitality, leaders and entertainers helped remember Siegfried and Siegfried & Roy after the news was shared about his death.

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and former Mayor Oscar Goodman released the following statement:

“We are just crushed to have lost Siegfried our wonderful friend and giant entertainer. Anyone who came to town, their request was always, “I must see Siegfried and Roy!” They put Las Vegas on the map not only as spectacular illusionists but also as breeders, trainers and caretakers of royal felines which grew to be an enormous part of their performance. Visitors to their personal home had the thrill of seeing the habitat where so many cubs were born and raised. And a trip to the Mirage Hotel and the Secret Garden was a treat one never could forget. More importantly than anything, Siegfried was the kindest and most loyal friend and a beautiful individual. What is calming now is to realize is that he is back with his life partner, Roy Horn, and at peace. You are loved, dear Siegfried.”

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued the following statement:

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our legendary illusionist Siegfried Fischbacher. He was a ‘Master of the Impossible’ and an exemplary Nevadan whose contributions – alongside the late great Roy Horn - helped shine a bright spotlight on Las Vegas’s entertainment industry to the world,” said Governor Sisolak. “Kathy and I send our love and condolences to his family, friends and loved ones at this time."

Statement from producer Kenneth Feld:

Today, the world of magic said good-bye to one of its greatest innovators. Siegfried Fischbacher, as part of the world-renowned duo Siegfried and Roy, took the art of magic to new heights through spectacular illusions while always maintaining his mastery of the close up, sleight of hand magic he developed as a young man. My father, Irvin and I first met Siegfried and Roy in 1977, collaborating with them on groundbreaking television productions and their first headline production, Beyond Belief, at The Frontier hotel in Las Vegas. Ultimately, this led to world tours and our ground-breaking show at The Mirage which redefined live-entertainment in Las Vegas. But perhaps Siegfried’s most important legacy will be his commitment to mentoring and inspiring magicians from around the world and championing the artform he loved for generations to come.

Clark County said it shared in the sadness with the loss of Siegfried on Thursday:

#ClarkCounty shares the sadness of friends, family and fans of #SiegfriedFischbacher today. The legendary Las #Vegas entertainer has died at 81. A legend and our adopted son, he and Roy Horn revolutionized Las Vegas entertainment.#Siegfried and Roy now back together forever. pic.twitter.com/CFwfHfAFq1

— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV) January 14, 2021

MGM Resorts and the Mirage hotel-casino, where Siegfried & Roy called home, said the duo had an entertainment vision that the world hadn't seen before:

It’s hard not to imagine Siegfried & Roy somewhere, reunited, doing two shows nightly, to a perpetual standing ovation. Rest in paradise, Siegfried Fischbacher. https://t.co/Iwm6XHyTLR

— The Mirage (@TheMirageLV) January 14, 2021

Penn Jillette's tweet recognized S&R for the first full-length magic show on the Las Vegas Strip.

Teller of the entertainment duo of Penn and Teller shared his thoughts on social media, calling Siegfried & Roy trailblazers:

Our friend Siegfried (of Siegfried & Roy) has died. Those guys opened Las Vegas to the possibility of a full-evening magic show. They lived large. They paved the way for @pennjillette and me. Here's an appropriately lavish obit in the New York Post. https://t.co/Meq4CrwL8v pic.twitter.com/wZskSwRJaK

— Teller (@MrTeller) January 14, 2021

Magician Lance Burton says he is devastated to hear the news of Siegfried's death.

Entertainer Donny Osmond also said he was sad to hear about the death of Siegfried.

Statement from Wayne Newton:

“I am saddened to hear of the loss of my friend, Siegfried. He meant so much to our city and brought such happiness to people all over the world. I was fortunate to have known him since he and Roy first came to Las Vegas and am comforted in the knowledge that they are now reunited. Rest In Peace my dear friend. You will be missed but never forgotten.”

Rep. Dina Titus shared her thoughts on social media about the passing of Siegfried, calling the duo masters of entertainment:

Siegfried & Roy were masters of live entertainment who redefined the Las Vegas experience. Today's illusionists and magicians who perform #OnlyInDistrict1 follow in their footsteps. I am saddened to hear of Siegfried Fischbacher's passing and my thoughts are with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/yUmjOVPrGd

— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 14, 2021

Siegfried was a frequent visitor to the Secret Garden at the Mirage and would pose with guests.

Stay with 13 Action News for further reaction to this developing story