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Fischbacher died after a battle with pancreatic
cancer. His death comes eight months after Horn died due to
COVID-19 on May 8, 2020. Horn was 75.
Siegfried & Roy were among Las Vegas’ most famous performers,
incorporating more than 55 white lions, white tigers, leopards,
jaguars and an elephant in their astounding acts. They started
performing in Las Vegas in 1967 at revues like Hallelujah
Hollywood and Lido de Paris.
The pair started performing at the Mirage hotel in 1989, selling
out almost nightly in what was formerly the largest hotel in Las
Vegas.
Fischbacher and Horn first met on a cruise ship, where Horn was
working as a steward and Fischbacher as an entertainer. Horn
smuggled his pet cheetah aboard the ship and asked Fischbacher
if he knew how to make one disappear. Fischbacher replied, “In
magic, anything is possible,” though they were then reportedly
fired from the ship.
Siegfried & Roy’s big cat performances continued until a 2003
accident at the Mirage in which a white tiger attacked Horn
during a show. Horn’s spine was severed and he sustained severe
injuries. He later said he thought the tiger was trying to save
him after he suffered a stroke onstage, and he had to relearn
how to talk and walk.
Horn eventually recovered and the pair was able to continue
traveling and appearing at events. They retired in 2010.
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