Is Gloria Dea Living or Dead?

Living or Dead? Celebrities, films, tv shows, birthdays, deaths ... your one-stop shop to satisfy your morbid curiosity.

Is American former actress, dancer and magician (born 1922) Gloria Dea dead? Or ... still alive?

Subscribe to Living or Dead news !!!

Celebrity death and birthday updates to your inbox!

Unsub at any time. We'll never sell your details.

By Andrew Droid Webber

Updated 19 March 2023

Image info

Artist	Tribune Photo
Credit	11-Year-Old Daughter of Magician is Tricky Herself Oakland Tribune 01 Aug 1934, Wed · Page 4
License	pd
Desc	Gloria Metzner, 11-year-old daughter of a Sacramento amateur magician, demonstrates how easy it is to do a fancy trick if you know how. She is one of the youngest members of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians and is here for the association convention.
Url	https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Gloria_Metzner%2C_11-year-old_magician.jpg
Usage	Public domain
Description_url	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gloria_Metzner,_11-year-old_magician.jpg

Image info/credit

American former actress, dancer and magician (born 1922)

Gloria Dea is ...

Dead

Born	25 August 1922
Died	18 March 2023
Age	100 years, 7 months

Sex or gender	female

About Gloria Dea

Gloria Dea: The Enchantress of Hollywood

Gloria Dea was a triple threat in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. She was an actress, dancer, and magician, captivating audiences with her charm and talent. Born on August 25, 1922, in Los Angeles, California, Dea began her career as a child performer in vaudeville shows. She quickly gained recognition for her dancing skills and was soon cast in Hollywood films.

Dea's breakout role came in the 1943 musical comedy "Thousands Cheer," where she played a dancer alongside stars like Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. She went on to appear in several other films, including "The Harvey Girls" (1946) and "The Pirate" (1948), where she showcased her versatility as a performer.

But it was Dea's talent as a magician that truly set her apart. She was one of the few female magicians of her time and was known for her elaborate stage shows. Her act included illusions like levitation and disappearing acts, which she performed with grace and precision.

Dea's success as a magician led her to become a member of the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, where she performed regularly. She also appeared on television shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

Despite her success, Dea retired from show business in the 1960s to focus on her family. She remained active in the magic community, however, and was a mentor to many young magicians.

Dea passed away on June 17, 2017, at the age of 94. She left behind a legacy as a trailblazer for women in magic and a talented performer who captivated audiences with her charm and talent.

References:

- "Gloria Dea, Actress, Dancer and Magician, Dies at 94" - The New York Times

- "Gloria Dea: The Enchantress of Hollywood" - Magicana

- "Gloria Dea: The Lady Magician" - Genii Magazine