I'm in my middle sixties and have done magic for a while. Slowly considering retirement - meaning no more public shows and just working on close-up stuff or what I want to.
Looking for input from any other magicians who now consider themselves 'retired'. How did you decide to stop doing magic? How old were you (if you don't mind sharing)? Any insights are appreciated. Thanks.

I'm 76 and my wife and I worked primarily with a dove act. About 6 years ago, when that type of magician began to faze out and my wife wasn't able to get around as much, I decided it was time to retire the act and myself. I still dabble in close up but nothing to write home about. I still enjoy magic and go to as many conventions as I can but I miss working with the birds on stage.

87 (started magic when I was 12) haven't done Magic in 20 years, do Vent. 2-4 time a year - Now to relief a little stress I Write and Illustrate little booklets for self and neighbors- fiction, Pets, stories Grandparents send me 6-9 paragraphs - Most booklets 10-14 pages - Around 150 in the last 5 years. A little Painting and making the Props for my Community Theater Group (orig. and oldest member). We did a bunch of old TV Skits. Made a Car '54'and "US MINNOw' once a 'Motorcycle' for the Song "Leader of the Pack" I was the Leader riding(?) it while 3 girls sang 'it' --ALL out of Cardboard. And the "Cafe" fun fun fun

61 now, professional magician for the last 40 years and with no intention of stopping. Having said that, I nearly completely gave up illusionism, mostly because I got fed up with the the heavy packing and unpacking of the show, not performing the show itself. I only sometimes perform a Sub trunk (because I do that I tell myself I need to be in shape) and an appearance illusion.

If you look back at comedy bar magician Johnny Paul, he performed until he was 78.
A good friend of mine performed at his regular spot until 78 and only gave it up because his dressing room was upstairs and he couldn't climb the stairs anymore. there was nothing wrong with his magic though.

If everything works I can't see why you could not go on performing until a high age, especially stand-up and close-up magic. Personally I truly believe that a 75 year old illusionist is not believable, but I hope someone will prove me wrong. Houdini was 52 when he died and he was physically at his prime.

One piece of well-meant advice: don't listen to your friends in magic. They almost always will try to tell you that things are still 'okay'. Listen to your spouse. If he or she does not want to come and see your show......, then it's time to go.

And,lastly, it is also a question of genetic luck. Singer Charles Aznavour was still performing at the age of 92 or 93, a half year before he died. And he did it very well, I might add.

So true. Wife and I did our Illusion Show until we were in our 60's (married at 19, in 1956). Then I continued with a Vent. act (lighter -no heavy cases)- Last Vent. act I did was last April (2024) - As long as you're Mentally and Physically <> Able and Stable <> and having fun - DO IT.