Blaney, Walter "Zaney" (1928 - 2020)

Blaney, Walter "Zaney" (1928 - 2020) A true Texan who stood at 6' 6", Walter was a Magician and inventor who became fascinated with the magical arts when he started performing as a magician during his college years. During those years he met and married the love of his life, Joyce, Lottle Sefcik. After graduating from the University of Texas in 1940, the couple traveled the entir country with Joyce assiting Walter performing magic for school assemblies. In 1975, he was a headliner at the Abbott Magic Get-Together. His famous Ladder Levitation is engraved on his tombstone. Sec 7; Row 43; # 4

WALTER "ZANEY" BLANEY PHOTO GALLERY
Walter ran for Congress in 1968

Walter Zaney Blaney, was a proud native Texan who stood at 6'6". He was born in Dallas on February 11, 1928, the son of William H. Blaney and Harriet Silvus Blaney. Walter attended Woodrow Wilson High School and obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Texas in Austin.

Developing an early fascination of the magical arts, he started performing as a magician during his college years. During those same years he met and married the love of his life, Joyce Lottie Sefcik. Together after graduating from UT in 1949, the couple began traveling the entire country with Joyce assisting Walter performing magic for school assemblies. With Houston's booming economy, the two decided to settle in south Houston near Hobby Airport in Glenbrook Valley on Dover Street.

He and Joyce had three daughters: Becky, Carol and Shannon. Walter was a devoted family man and developed a huge circle of friends. An avid Republican, he eventually made a run for congress in 1968.

His career has spanned over 50 years. Amsterdam to Auckland, Mexico City to Tokyo . . . Walter has performed around the world, appeared on many leading television shows and has played and lectured to great critical acclaim at scores of magic conventions.

A legend of the convention and banquet circuit (Over 3800 banquet performances in 47 states and 14 countries), Walter Blaney has been officially commissioned " Texas Ambassador of Good Will " by six Texas Governors.

A celebrity among magicians, Walter Blaney is known throughout the world for his original magic inventions. He has amazed many top professional magicians for years. His illusions have been used by magic's finest, David Copperfield, Lance Burton and Siegfried & Roy.

In 1998 Walter helped create the "World Alliance of Magicians" and served as its first international president. WAM was an umbrella federation of all the magic societies of the world to promote the magical arts and protect its secrets for enduring public entertainment.

Walter's television appearances include: The Tonight Show, Dinah Shore, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin.

Elected to the Society of American Magician's " MAGICIANS HALL OF FAME "

Appointed " INTERNATIONAL MAGICAL AMBASSADOR " by the International Brotherhood of Magicians

England's Magic Circle's highest honor..." MEMBER OF THE INNER MAGIC CIRCLE WITH GOLD STAR "

Siegfried & Roy's coveted SILVER LION AWARD for excellence in the performance of magic.

Walter continued to perform well into his 80's and was well loved by the magic community. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce in September of 2007