Bad Jokes and Big Laughs: 83-Year-Old Magician Chuck Levy Keeps the Magic Alive

 “What is the fastest liquid on Earth? Milk—because it’s pasteurized before you ever see it!”

That groan-worthy joke is just one of dozens in the arsenal of veteran magician Laurence “Chuck” Levy, an 83-year-old entertainer from Kirkwood, Missouri who has built a lifetime career around two things: magic and laughter.

Known to many as “Laurence Nothing Up My Sleeve Levy,” Chuck performs with a sign hidden under his sleeve that literally reads “Nothing.” It’s a perfect example of the playful humor that has become his trademark over decades of entertaining audiences of all ages.

Magic That Focuses on Fun

For Chuck, the goal of a magic show has never been simply fooling people.

Rather than leaving audiences wondering how a trick was done, he wants them walking away smiling and talking about how much fun they had.

That philosophy has guided his career from birthday parties and weddings to restaurants and street performances.

A Childhood Fascination with Magic

Chuck’s love of magic began when he was 11 years old at summer camp in Baltimore, Maryland. A counselor performed magic around the campfire and taught the campers a few simple tricks.

Inspired, Chuck checked out The Amateur Magician’s Handbook from his local library and began teaching himself.

Soon afterward, he became a regular at the legendary Yogi Magic Mart in downtown Baltimore. The magic shop served as a gathering place for local performers, and owner Phil Thomas took young Chuck under his wing, eventually allowing him to demonstrate tricks behind the counter.

Chuck still considers Thomas his greatest mentor.

Balancing Business and Magic

Throughout high school, Chuck performed at parties and special events. After graduation, he pursued a degree in psychology from the University of Maryland and entered the nonferrous metals industry.

His business career eventually brought him to Kirkwood in 1983, where his passion for magic was reignited.

Restaurant Magic and 94 Bad Jokes

After joining the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Chuck was inspired by restaurant magician Al the Only and his influential book The Business of Restaurant Magic.

Chuck soon became a regular performer at restaurants throughout the St. Louis area, including Amigos, Helen Fitzgerald’s, and Krueger’s Bar.

It was during these years that he developed his famous collection of 94 “bad jokes.”

According to Chuck, some are borrowed, some are original, but none of them are inappropriate.

Reinventing Himself as a Street Performer

When the pandemic shut down restaurants, Chuck found a new outlet for his talents.

Armed with balloons, close-up magic, and a tip jar, he began performing on the streets of downtown Kirkwood near the local farmers’ market.

The response was immediate and encouraging.

Today, Chuck continues to entertain shoppers and families on weekends, easily recognizable by his colorful hat and contagious sense of humor.

Sharing Magic with Other Magicians

Beyond performing, Chuck has also contributed to the magic community through his lecture, Lazy Magic, which teaches simple adjustments that can dramatically improve performances.

Fellow magician Jeff Lefton describes Chuck as highly creative, noting that he has developed many original routines and clever presentations.

Still Going Strong at 83

Chuck Levy is proof that magic has no age limit.

With seven children, twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, he remains as active as he wants to be—balancing family life, business, travel, and performances.

And, of course, he never misses the opportunity to share one more bad joke.

As Chuck likes to say:

“I’m still the greatest magician in my price range—and modest as well.”

To learn more about Chuck Levy and his performances, visit Magical Fun.