André Kole
Encyclopedia
André Kole is the stage name of Robert Gurtler Jr., an American magician and inventor of magical effects. He is also a committed Christian
and is a public speaker for the evangelical group Campus Crusade for Christ International.
Robert Gurtler was inspired to take up magic at the age of seven after seeing a performance by Moxo the Magician (Mark E. Barker). By the time he was 20, now known as André Kole, he was performing his Table of Death
trick on the national network television show You Asked For It. In 1955 he received the annual Al Sharpe Award for Originality in Presentation from the Texas Association of Magicians.
Among the illusions Kole is credited with devising are the Squeeze Box
illusion (licensed to builder John Gaughan), and the Head Mover illusion (as performed by David Copperfield
, Tim Kole and Kirby Van Birch).
He also uses his magical knowledge and skills to debunk frauds and hoaxes. He was reported in 2003 as offering US$1million to the Rev. Dr. Donald Stewart if Stewart could prove a statement made in the Jamaican newspaper the Jamaica Gleaner
that Satan gives supernatural powers.
He states on his website that he does not perform the classic trick of pulling a rabbit from a hat
because he is allergic to rabbits. He is the father of illusionist Tim Kole.
André Kole and Terry Holley, Astrology and psychic phenomena, Published: Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan, (c.1998), ISBN 0310489210 (pbk.)
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and is a public speaker for the evangelical group Campus Crusade for Christ International.
Robert Gurtler was inspired to take up magic at the age of seven after seeing a performance by Moxo the Magician (Mark E. Barker). By the time he was 20, now known as André Kole, he was performing his Table of Death
Table of death
The table of death is a predicament escape that is alternately considered as falling into the categories of a magic trick or an act of escapology.-Description:...
trick on the national network television show You Asked For It. In 1955 he received the annual Al Sharpe Award for Originality in Presentation from the Texas Association of Magicians.
Among the illusions Kole is credited with devising are the Squeeze Box
Squeeze box (magic trick)
The Squeeze Box is an illusion designed and originally performed by André Kole.- Effect :A person enters a horizontal box and extends their head out one end and their feet out of the other. A wheel is spun, squeezing both ends of the box towards the middle until the person's head are right next to...
illusion (licensed to builder John Gaughan), and the Head Mover illusion (as performed by David Copperfield
David Copperfield (illusionist)
David Copperfield is an Emmy Award-winning American illusionist, and was described by Forbes as the most commercially successful magician in history. Copperfield's network specials have been nominated for 38 Emmy Awards and won a total of 21 Emmys...
, Tim Kole and Kirby Van Birch).
He also uses his magical knowledge and skills to debunk frauds and hoaxes. He was reported in 2003 as offering US$1million to the Rev. Dr. Donald Stewart if Stewart could prove a statement made in the Jamaican newspaper the Jamaica Gleaner
Gleaner
Gleaner may refer to:*Gleaner Company, a newspaper publishing enterprise in Jamaica.*Gleaner Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of combine harvesters.*Gleaning, the collection of crops left over after harvest....
that Satan gives supernatural powers.
He states on his website that he does not perform the classic trick of pulling a rabbit from a hat
Hat-trick (magic trick)
The hat-trick is a classic magic trick where a performer will produce an object out of an apparently empty top hat.- Method :...
because he is allergic to rabbits. He is the father of illusionist Tim Kole.
Books
André Kole with Jerry MacGregor, Mind Games: Exposing today's psychics, frauds and false spiritual phenomena, pub. Harvest House (February 1998), ISBN 978-1565078260André Kole and Terry Holley, Astrology and psychic phenomena, Published: Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan, (c.1998), ISBN 0310489210 (pbk.)
External links
- Official website for André Kole the magician
- Official website for André Kole's ministry
- Genii magazine forum page dated December 2005 about a "walking on water" trick.
- Walking on water: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih1MSalaqdE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGFHQpuXbjQ&NR=1