NEWS
SONNY FONTANA
TRIBUTE BY KEVIN JAMES
Magician and shadow expert, Sonny Fontana passed away in Las Vegas on Feb.
14th, 2019. He was 62 years old. He passed from complications after surgery for the
removal of a brain tumor.
He was born in Caracas, Venezuela on Feb. 5th, 1957. His birth name was Ramon Or-
lando Depablos. He is survived by a daughter, Thelma Elena Depablos, 24 years old.
He came from very humble beginnings. He created many unique and amazing acts
including the Telephone Act, Hand Shadow Act and the Invisible Man. He was a pub-
lished origami expert and created many original figures. He also performed several
sideshow/daredevil/eccentric pieces, including a Fire Tee Pee Stunt, Thread from
Stomach, and something with a very large needle.
https://youtu.be/cVGcDsXIZds
Sonny was a Shadow Consultant for Francis Ford Coppola’s film “Dracula”. He also
invented magic effects including Got it Covered, Bubbles from Empty Hands and
many magic effects using Origami. He was the first Latin American magician to take
any award at FISM. These awards were FISM 1979 Special Award the Klingsor Award
for his Hand Shadows, and FISM 1997 Dresden 3rd place in General Magic for his
Telephone Act.
Sonny was a lovable, funny and eccentric character. His enthusiasm for life and
magic were infectious. He was willing to help anyone who asked and even a few that
didn’t. He was always full of ideas and had a heart of gold. He had legions of friends
around the globe and he will be missed. I was proud to call him my friend and I will
remember him forever.
Kevin James
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VANISH Magazine
www.VanishMagazine.com
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