View source for Doug Henning

{{Short description|Canadian illusionist (1947–2000)}}
{{Infobox person
|name                 = Doug Henning
|image                = Doug Henning 1976.JPG
|caption              = Henning in 1976
|death_date           = {{death date and age|2000|2|7|1947|5|3}}
|death_place          = [[Los Angeles]], California, U.S.
|birth_name           = Douglas James Henning
|birth_date           = May 3, 1947
|birth_place          = [[Winnipeg]], Manitoba, Canada
|occupation           = [[Magic (illusion)|Magician]], [[illusionist]], [[escape artist]], politician
|years_active=
|spouse               = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Barbara De Angelis]]|1977|1981|end=div.}}
* {{marriage|Debby Douillard|1981}}
}}
|awards               =
}}

'''Douglas James Henning''' (May 3, 1947&nbsp;– February 7, 2000) was a Canadian [[magic (illusion)|magician]], [[illusionist]], [[escape artist]] and [[politician]].

==Early life==
Henning was born in the [[Fort Garry, Winnipeg|Fort Garry]] district of [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]].

Henning became interested in magic after seeing the [[Peruvians|Peruvian]] magician [[Richiardi Jr]]. perform on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]''.<ref name= "copperfield-2021">{{Cite book |last1= Copperfield |first1=David |title=David Copperfield's history of magic |last2=Wiseman |first2=Richard |last3= Britland |first3=David |date=2021 |isbn= 978-1-9821-1291-2 |location=New York |oclc=1236259508 |author-link=David Copperfield (illusionist) |author-link2= Richard Wiseman}}</ref> He subsequently learned a variety of tricks and performed for his relatives.<ref name= "copperfield-2021" /> He began practising magic at Oakenwald School in Fort Garry. Later, his family relocated to [[Oakville, Ontario]]. Eventually he named himself "The Astounding Hendoo" and started advertising in local newspapers.<ref name= "copperfield-2021" />

After Henning graduated from [[Oakville Trafalgar High School]], he stopped doing magic, not wanting to do it for a living. He felt that there were only two kinds of magicians, "...magicians for kids, and magicians for nightclub acts. I didn't want to be either kind." So, instead, he enrolled and became a student at [[McMaster University]] in [[Hamilton, Ontario]], and studied [[psychology]],<ref name="query.nytimes.com"/> in preparation for a medical degree. There, Henning met [[Ivan Reitman]], when he appeared in the 1968 Reitman-directed production of ''[[Li'l Abner (musical)|Li'l Abner]]'' in the role of Lonesome Polecat.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

To support himself during this time, Henning worked at the [[Toronto International Airport]], loading and unloading crates. He found the work to be too heavy and tiring; so, with the help of his partner Mars Barrick, he formed the partnership of Henning and Mars, and they performed at local bars and nightclubs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Michael |date=2021-11-29 |title= A Magical Encounter: meeting magicians Doug Henning and Mars Barrick |url=https://doc-the-storyteller.medium.com/a-magical-encounter-meeting-magicians-doug-henning-and-mars-barrick-bac1880fea5b |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>

On May 19, 1967, Doug's father, an [[Air Canada]] pilot, was killed during a training flight when his DC-8-54 crashed near the Ottawa airport (CYOW).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19670519-0| title = ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-8-54F CF-TJM Ottawa International Airport, ON (YOW)| website = aviation-safety.net| publisher =| accessdate= }}</ref>

Henning graduated with honours, earning a degree in science and psychology. He subsequently decided to take a couple of years to concentrate on his magic before entering medical school. 

==Career==
{{Wikinews|Wikinews interviews magician and illusion builder Bruce Chadwick for National Magic Week}}Henning and Mars successfully performed with the top entertainers in Canada and travelled from one end of the country to the other.

Henning realized that he needed more theatrical training as well as in the principles of magic. He applied for a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts in the theatre division with a proposal that used the equation that magic plus theatre equals art. Henning was awarded a [[Canada Council for the Arts]] grant for $4,000.<ref name= LinkingRing>{{cite journal |title=Our cover: Douglas James Henning 1947–2000 |journal=[[The Linking Ring]] |publisher= [[International Brotherhood of Magicians]] |volume=80 |number=4 |pages=210 |date=April 2000}}</ref>  After being awarded the grant to study the art of magic for a year, he studied mime under [[Adrian Pecknold]] as well as dance with a Canadian choreographer. He sifted through magic literature in the hopes of developing an all-around magic education in manipulation and illusionism.

He visited the [[Magic Castle]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], California, a private club for magicians. After an impromptu performance in the Wine Cellar, he met resident magician, guru, and fellow Canadian [[Dai Vernon]], known as the Professor. Since the terms of the grant required Henning to study magic, he got up the nerve later in the year to write the Professor and asked him if he could take lessons with him. Thereafter, Henning travelled to Hollywood to study with Vernon and then with another magic great, [[Slydini]], whom he came to consider his primary teacher of magic.<ref name=genii>{{cite web | url=http://www.geniimagazine.com/magicpedia/Doug_Henning | title= Doug Henning Bio| website = geniimagazine.com| publisher =| date =| accessdate =}}</ref>

Intending to return magic to its "glory days", Henning worked to perfect his craft. Garnering financial support, he developed a live theatrical show, ''Spellbound'', written by [[David Cronenberg]] and directed by Henning's college friend [[Ivan Reitman]].<ref name="copperfield-2021" /> Along with music by [[Howard Shore]] and co-starring actress [[Jennifer Dale]], Henning created a musical that combined his magic with a dramatic storyline.

Henning borrowed money for the project and spent $5,000 to build and design illusions. They set up a backer's audition in [[Toronto]]. One man found potential in the project and invested $70,000. It took so long to work out a plot around his illusions that there was time only for two dress rehearsals, neither of which was in the theatre.

The show opened at the [[Royal Alexandra Theatre]] in Toronto, where it broke box-office records.<ref name="randi">{{Cite book |last=Randi |first=James |title=Conjuring |date=1992 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=0-312-08634-2 |location=New York |oclc=26162991|author-link=James Randi}}</ref>{{rp|278}} Henning reworked the show after catching the attention of New York producers and took it to [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] as ''[[The Magic Show]]'', with songs composed by [[Stephen Schwartz (composer)|Stephen Schwartz]]. Debuting in 1974, the show ran for four and a half years and earned Henning a [[Tony Award]] nomination.<ref>{{cite web |title=1975 Tony Award Winners |url=http://www2.broadwayworld.com/tonyawardsyear.cfm?year=1975 |url-status=dead |publisher= | website= BroadwayWorld.com |access-date=January 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921002209/https://www.broadwayworld.com/tonyawardsyear.cfm?year=1975 |archive-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>

Following his Broadway success, Henning approached [[NBC]] with the idea of producing a [[television special]]. It was not until Henning suggested that he would reproduce live [[Harry Houdini]]'s famous and dangerous water-torture escape&mdash;for the first time since Houdini performed it himself&mdash;that the NBC executives signed him.

Henning spent the next eight months reworking his stage act for TV and practising the water-torture escape act. More than 50 million viewers tuned in for the December 1975 broadcast of ''[[Doug Henning's World of Magic]]'', hosted by [[Bill Cosby]].

In 1977, Henning co-wrote a biography of Houdini, ''Houdini: His Legend and His Magic''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Henning |first=Doug |title=Houdini: His Legend and His Magic |url=https://archive.org/details/houdinihislegend00henn |url-access= registration |publisher=Ballantine Books |year=1978 |access-date=November 23, 2008 |isbn=978-0-446-87328-4}}</ref> He created illusions for an [[Earth, Wind and Fire]] tour in 1979,<ref>{{cite news |title= Earth, Wind and Fire: The whirlwind |work= The Gazette |location=Montreal |date= January 7, 1988 |page=E3}}</ref> and for two of singer [[Michael Jackson]]'s concerts, including his 1984 [[Victory Tour (The Jacksons tour)|Victory Tour]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lacey |first=Liam |date=September 18, 1985 |title=Whimsical drama makes Henning's tricks a treat |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |page=T.10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Arkatov |first= Janice |title=Henning has wonder up his sleeve |date=September 1, 1984 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=E2}}</ref>

In 1983, Henning was the producer and star of the Broadway musical ''[[Merlin (musical)|Merlin]]''.<ref name= "query.nytimes.com"/> In 1984, he began a solo Broadway show, ''Doug Henning and His World of Magic''.<ref name= "query.nytimes.com"/>

In 1985, Doug & Debby Henning's Wonder Whims, a set of plush toys, were made by Panosh Place and copyrighted by Marvin Glass and Associates.{{citation needed|date=February 2012}} There were a total of six Wonder Whim characters. Each came with an animal friend, a personalized story, and a magic kaleidoscope wand of colors and patterns.<ref name= "LongReim1987">{{cite book |last1= Long |first1=Kim |last2=Reim |first2=Terry |title= The American Forecaster |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTHlAAAAMAAJ |publisher= Running Press |year=1987 |page=101 |access-date= February 13, 2012 |isbn= 978-0-89471-485-6}}</ref>

===The ''World of Magic'' specials===
Henning's first ''World of Magic'' special aired on NBC on December 26, 1975. Henning successfully performed the water torture illusion, although he did not break Houdini's time record. Produced by famed talk show host [[David Susskind]] and sponsored by [[Mobil]], the show ran live in the eastern United States without commercials. The event was the first of seven annual broadcasts,<ref>{{cite journal |date=February 1977 |title=Henning TV Special A Smash |journal=[[The Linking Ring]] |publisher=[[International Brotherhood of Magicians]] |volume=57 |number=2 |pages=37, 38}}</ref> which eventually brought Henning seven<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-09-me-62603-story.html | title= Magician Doug Henning Dies of Liver Cancer at 52| work= Los Angeles Times| date = February 9, 2000| accessdate =}}</ref> [[Emmy Awards|Emmy Award]] nominations, including two back-to-back in 1976 and 1977 for ''World of Magic''.

In December 1976, ''Doug Henning's World of Magic II'' aired, again live and with only two commercial breaks, on NBC. The theme for this show was "Fire, Water and Air" and it was hosted by actor [[Michael Landon]], with guest star [[Joey Heatherton]]. The show included Henning vanishing an elephant. A segment of the show featured special guest magician [[Ricky Jay]].

On December 15, 1977, ''Doug Henning's World of Magic III'' aired live with guests [[Glen Campbell]] and [[Sandy Duncan]]; the hyped illusion was "Walking Through a Brick Wall".

On December 14, 1978, ''Doug Henning's World of Magic IV'' aired with the theme "A Magical Journey Through Time"; however, due to numerous problems that occurred during the telecast, this was the last special broadcast live.

On February 15, 1979, there was a broadcast of the fifth World of Magic special, which was taped at the [[Las Vegas Hilton]].

''Doug Henning's World of Magic VI'', taped at Osmond Studios in [[Orem, Utah]], was broadcast February 22, 1980, on NBC. Bill Cosby made his second appearance as special guest. [[Marie Osmond]] also appeared on the program. Several revamped versions of illusions from earlier specials appeared. The finale was an escape and reappearance featuring a huge [[Rube Goldberg machine]].

Henning's last TV special was ''World of Magic VII'' in 1982, which featured guest Bruce Jenner and several revamped versions of illusions from earlier specials. The theme was Henning's magical house, with rooms featuring magic from the past, present and future. In the show's finale, Henning created the illusion of turning a black horse and a white horse into a [[zebra]].<ref>{{cite web |date=May 15, 2013 |title=Doug Henning – Horses to Zebra Illusion |via=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIS-c3iGUho  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/kIS-c3iGUho| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=Jul 26, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

At the end of each ''World of Magic'' performance, Henning addressed the audience with the same monologue: "Anything the mind can conceive is possible. Nothing is impossible. All you have to do is look within, and you can realize your fondest dreams. I would like to wish each one of you all of life's wonders and a joyful age of enlightenment."<ref name=goodbye>{{cite web |date=January 2000 |title=Doug Henning: Magician Addled by TM |work=Good Bye!: The Journal of Contemporary Obituaries |url=http://www.goodbyemag.com/jan00/henning.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218045811/http://www.goodbyemag.com/jan00/henning.html |archive-date=February 18, 2007}}</ref>

===Other television appearances===
On May 20, 1974, Henning appeared as a guest on the game show ''[[To Tell the Truth]]''. He received two of the four votes and then performed [[Metamorphosis (illusion)|The Metamorphosis]] trick.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj5zc-ccArs | title=To Tell the Truth (#193-1): 1974 ep with Doug Henning, the Magician! | via= YouTube | date=18 April 2024| accessdate=}}</ref>

On December 13, 1977, Henning appeared as a guest on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]''. While Henning performed illusions and chatted with host [[Johnny Carson]] and his other guests, he also plugged his new book on Houdini and announced his impending marriage to [[Barbara De Angelis]].

In 1979, Henning appeared on ''The Crystal Gayle Special'', a variety program starring singer [[Crystal Gayle]] and featuring, along with Henning, [[B.B. King]] and [[the Statler Brothers]]. In 1980, Henning appeared on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', where he performed several tricks. He demonstrated [[chink-a-chink]] for Scooter, did a flying handkerchief trick for [[Kermit the Frog]]'s nephew Robin, segmented a Muppet monster into four pieces (and put him together wrong), and performed The Metamorphosis. In December, Henning appeared on ''The [[Osmond Family]] Christmas Special'', starring the popular brother/sister act [[Donny Osmond|Donny]] and [[Marie Osmond]], as a guest with such entertainers as [[Peggy Fleming]] and [[Greg Evigan]], at the time star of NBC's ''[[B. J. and the Bear]]''.

On February 13, 1981, Henning made his seventh appearance on ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson''. This show marked the first time that Henning was Carson's first guest.

A version of ''The Magic Show'' was mounted in [[Toronto]] at the [[Queen Elizabeth Theatre]]. The purpose of this show was to film in front of a live audience of several thousand people for broadcast on [[CBC Television]]. Henning came back to the show that had made him a star, and many changes were made for this new production. Most of the cast was changed, including the role of Cal, now performed by [[Didi Conn]]. Some script changes were made (the night club was now known as "Chez Manny" and the older, drunk magician was now named "Van Zyskin"). Some of the songs in the Broadway version were also changed (such as the risqué lyrics of Charmin's lament), or replaced totally, such as the song "Solid Silver Platform Shoes" (the once popular shoe style, by then out of fashion), which was replaced with "It's Gonna Take a Magician". The film version of the production was only aired once on Canadian television, but released on DVD decades later.

Henning was featured in television commercials during 1984 to promote the [[Plymouth Voyager]] [[minivan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oosting |first=Jonathan |date=2011-02-12 |title= Video of the Day: Long before Eminem and Detroit, Chrysler made ad magic for minivans |url=https://www.mlive.com/auto/2011/02/video_of_the_day_long_before_e.html |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=mlive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= 2017-10-22 |title=Experience The Magic Of The Plymouth Voyager |url=https://jalopnik.com/experience-the-magic-of-the-plymouth-voyager-1819749336 |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Jalopnik.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Retirement===

In the mid-1980s, Henning quit his profession, sold his props, and moved to [[India]] in order to devote his time to [[Transcendental Meditation]].<ref name="randi" />{{rp|279}}<ref name="mckinley">{{Cite news |last= McKinley |first=Jesse |date=2000-02-09 |title=Doug Henning, a Superstar Of Illusion, Is Dead at 52 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/09/arts/doug-henning-a-superstar-of-illusion-is-dead-at-52.html |access-date=2023-02-16 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 1993, he released a video for the [[Natural Law Party of Canada]], made up of excerpts from his ''World of Magic'' specials along with newly recorded linking dialogue detailing his philosophy of how the world's problems could be solved by meditation and [[yogic flying]].

==Transcendental Meditation==
Henning had an increasing interest in [[Transcendental Meditation]].<ref name= "query.nytimes.com"/> He received a Ph.D. in the [[Transcendental Meditation#Science of Creative Intelligence (1971)|Science of Creative Intelligence]] from the Maharishi University in Switzerland.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stone |first=Jay |date=October 23, 1993 |title=Let a smile be your platform |work=The Ottawa Citizen |page=E.1}}</ref>

In 1992, Henning and Transcendental Meditation founder [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]] drafted plans for a $1.5 billion project, Maharishi Veda Land, near [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]],<ref name= "query.nytimes.com"/> that would "combine astonishing, unique visual and sensory effects, state-of-the-art 3D imagery, and ultra high-tech entertainment technology with his best original magic illusion secrets".<ref name= "Vedaland">{{cite web| url= http://maharishivediccity.net/amenities/vedaland.html | title= Maharishi Veda Land| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20040814025628/http://maharishivediccity.net/amenities/vedaland.html |archivedate=2004-08-14 | website= maharishivediccity.net | accessdate =}}</ref> Attractions were to include a building suspended above water and a journey into the heart of a rose, but at the time of Henning's death the project's status was uncertain.<ref name="query.nytimes.com"/>

==Political career==

In 1992, Henning was a [[Natural Law Party]] candidate in the [[United Kingdom]]'s general election, contesting the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliamentary]] [[List of United Kingdom Parliament constituencies|constituency]] of [[Blackpool South (UK Parliament constituency)|Blackpool South]] in [[Lancashire]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Blackpool South Labour: Gordon Marsden |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/constituency/731/blackpool-south}}</ref> As a Canadian citizen, Henning qualified as a candidate under British electoral law, which allows candidates from [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] nations. He finished fourth of four candidates, polling 173 votes. He was senior vice president of the [[Natural Law Party of Canada]] ("NLPC"), and ran as the party's candidate for the former Toronto [[Riding (division)|riding]] of [[Toronto Centre (federal electoral district)|Rosedale]] in the [[1993 Canadian federal election|1993 federal election]], finishing sixth out of ten candidates.<ref name=Gardner>Gardner, Martin (May/June 1995). [http://www.csicop.org/si/show/doug_henning_and_the_giggling_guru/ "Doug Henning and the Giggling Guru"]. ''Skeptical Inquirer''. Vol 19.3.</ref><ref>"'Have rabbit, will travel': Yogic flyer's Natural Law Party failed to capture the imagination". ''National Post'' (UK). February 20, 2000.</ref><ref>[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/HFER/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Det&Include=Y&rid=619 "Rosedale, Ontario (1933-1996)"]. ''History of Federal Ridings Since 1867''.</ref>

{{Election box begin |
|title=[[1992 United Kingdom general election|General Election 1992]]: Blackpool South<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm|title=Politics Resources|date=9 April 1992|work=Election 1992|publisher=Politics Resources|access-date=6 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020412/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party      = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate  = [[Nick Hawkins (politician)|Nick Hawkins]]
|votes  = 19,880
|percentage  = 45.2
|change  = −2.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party      = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate  = [[Gordon Marsden]]
|votes  = 18,213
|percentage  = 41.5
|change  = +9.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate  = Robert E. Wynne
|votes  = 5,673
|percentage  = 12.9
|change  = −7.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party      = Natural Law Party
|candidate  = Douglas Henning
|votes  = 173
|percentage  = 0.4
|change  = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes  = 1,667
|percentage  = 3.8
|change  = −12.2
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes  = 43,939
|percentage  = 77.3
|change  = +3.9
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner     = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing      = −6.1
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|1993|Rosedale (federal electoral district)|Rosedale|percent=yes|change=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|[[Bill Graham (Canadian politician)|Bill Graham]]|25,726| 50.00|+8.78 }}
{{CANelec|CA|PC|[[David MacDonald (Canadian politician)|David MacDonald]]|10,930| 21.24|-20.12 }}
{{CANelec|CA|Reform|Daniel Jovkovic|6,413| 12.46| }}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|[[Jack Layton]]|5,547|10.78|-4.28 }}
{{CANelec|CA|National|Martin Lanigan|1,091|2.12| }}
{{CANelec|CA|Natural Law|Doug Henning|817| 1.59| }}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|Leslie Hunter|483| 0.94|+0.22 }}
{{CANelec|XX|Independent|Linda Dale Gibbons|350|0.68| }}
{{CANelec|CA|Marxist-Leninist|Steve Rutchinski|57| 0.11| }}
{{CANelec|CA|Abolitionist|Yann Patrice D'Audibert Garcien|40| 0.08| }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes| 51,454| 100.00}}
{{End}}

==Personal life==
Henning married [[Barbara De Angelis]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite web |last=McNally |first=Neil |title=Doug and Barbara De Angelis Wedding Invitation |url=https://doughenningproject.com/2018/07/05/doug-and-barbara-de-angelis-wedding-invitation/ |website=The Doug Henning Project |access-date=2020-06-07 |date=5 July 2018}}</ref> Their marriage ended in divorce in 1981, and Henning married Debby Douillard in the [[Ladies' Dome]] in [[Fairfield, Iowa]], in December of that year.<ref name="GrandIllusions">{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20130545,00.html |date=February 21, 2000 |volume=53 |number=7 |title=Grand Illusions |first=Sophfronia Scott |last=Gregory |work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref><ref>NAMES & FACES, Boston Globe, December 7, 1981.</ref>

==Death and legacy==
Henning died at the age of 52 on February 7, 2000, at [[Cedars Sinai Medical Center]] in [[Los Angeles]], five months after being diagnosed with [[liver cancer]].<ref name="query.nytimes.com">{{cite news |first= Jesse|last= McKinley |title=Doug Henning, a Superstar Of Illusion, Is Dead at 52. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/09/arts/doug-henning-a-superstar-of-illusion-is-dead-at-52.html |work=[[The New York Times]] | date=February 9, 2000 | access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref> His ashes were scattered in the [[Pacific Ocean]] off [[Redondo Beach, California]].

In 2005, a handwritten letter from Henning to [[James Randi]] was placed for auction on [[eBay]], unbeknownst to Randi. When Randi learned of it, he announced on his blog that the letter had been "stolen" from his files.<ref name=stolen>{{cite web|url=http://boingboing.net/2005/06/01/james-randis-letter.html |title=James Randi's letter from Doug Henning is stolen and on eBay |author=Doctorow, Cory |publisher=boingboing.com |access-date=January 10, 2012 |date=June 1, 2005}}</ref> A week later, Randi wrote that he "managed to have the sale stopped" and that the letter was back in his possession, but did not elaborate on further details of the controversy. Randi said that Henning had immersed himself so thoroughly in Transcendental Meditation that he "abandoned regular medical treatment for liver cancer, continued to pursue his diet of nuts and berries, and died of the disease."<ref name=letter>{{cite web |title=SWIFT June 10, 2005 |url=http://www.randi.org/jr/061005smug.html#10 |author=James Randi |publisher=James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) |date=June 10, 2005 |access-date=January 10, 2012}}</ref>

On June 8, 2010, it was announced that Henning would receive a star on [[Canada's Walk of Fame]].<ref name="timescolonist">{{cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Ben |title=Walk of Fame group a magnificent seven |url=http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=f971427a-0357-444b-acd5-aba73d33475c |url-status=dead |work=Victoria Times Colonist |date=October 16, 2010 |access-date=May 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221214914/http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=f971427a-0357-444b-acd5-aba73d33475c |archive-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2010 Inductees for The Canada Honours Announced |url=http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/news/2010-inductees-the-canada-honours-announced |url-status=dead |publisher=Canada's Walk of Fame |date=June 8, 2010 |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626123340/http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/news/2010-inductees-the-canada-honours-announced |archive-date=June 26, 2010}}</ref> His "[[Zig Zag Girl]]" illusion is housed at the [[American Museum of Magic]].<ref name="Fajurid">{{cite news |last=Fajurid |first=Gabe |title=Magic Museum provides mecca for experts, fans alike |url=http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1999/feb/02-04-99/arts/arts1.html |work=The Michigan Daily |date=February 4, 1999 |access-date=May 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501123828/http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1999/feb/02-04-99/arts/arts1.html |archive-date=May 1, 2008}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.cbc.ca/arts/walkoffame/doughenning.html Canadian Walk of Fame]
* {{IMDb name|0377392}}
* {{IBDB name|44879}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Doug Henning
|list =
{{Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year}}
{{Academy of Magical Arts Performing Fellowship}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henning, Doug}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:Escapologists]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian magicians]]
[[Category:Deaths from liver cancer in California]]
[[Category:British political candidates]]
[[Category:Natural Law Party of Canada candidates in the 1993 Canadian federal election]]
[[Category:People from Winnipeg]]
[[Category:McMaster University alumni]]
[[Category:Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Academy of Magical Arts Performing Fellowship winners]]
[[Category:Burials at sea]]