René Lavand

{{Infobox person

| name = René Lavand

| image =

| alt =

| caption = Lavand in Buenos Aires in 1972

| birth_name = Héctor René Lavandera

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1928|09|24|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Buenos Aires, Argentina

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2015|02|07|1928|09|24|df=yes}}

| death_place = Tandil, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

| other_names =

| occupation = Magician

| years_active = 1960–2015

| spouse =

| children =

| known_for = One-handed card tricks

| notable_works =

| alma_mater =

| awards =

}}

Héctor René Lavandera (24 September 1928 – 7 February 2015), known as René Lavand, was an Argentine magician, specializing in close-up magic. He was notable for performing card tricks with only one hand.

Biography

Lavand was born in Buenos Aires in 1928. After losing his right hand (he was right-handed) at the age of nine in a car crash, Lavand slowly taught himself card manipulation, later stating, "I went through hard times, but I got an advantage, I couldn't copy anyone's techniques." After working as a cashier in a bank, at the age of 32 he appeared in Buenos Aires' Tabarís Theater, following which his career took off, leading to world tours.{{cite web |url=http://zonademagia.com.ar/magos/rene_lavand.htm |title=Rene Lavand |website=ZonaMagica |lang=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210045511/http://zonademagia.com.ar/magos/rene_lavand.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2005 |via=Wayback Machine}}

In the United States, Lavand appeared on Ed Sullivan's and Johnny Carson's television shows and performed in shows at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. The catchphrase he used for one of his most celebrated tricks was "No se puede hacer más lento" (Spanish for "it cannot be done any slower"), referencing the measured and slow pace of his performances.

In between international tours he resided in Tandil, Argentina, and adapted a railway carriage into a magic saloon where he taught the art of illusion. He also co-wrote (with Richard J. Kaufman) the book Mysteries of My Life. The book is an autobiography as well as an instructional book on his magic. He received several honors from the Academy of Magical Arts: Close-up Magician of the Year (1993), Performing Fellowship (1997), and Masters Fellowship (2011).{{cite web |url=http://www.magiccastle.com/hall_of_fame/ |title=Hall of Fame |website=magiccastle.com |publisher=Academy of Magical Arts |accessdate=March 2, 2023}}

Lavand died of pneumonia at Nueva Clínica Chacabuco in Tandil in 2015, aged 86.{{cite web|title=Murió el ilusionista René Lavand, uno de los artistas más grandes de la historia de Tandil |url=http://www.eleco.com.ar/noticias/Inter%C3%A9s-General/246944:4/Murio-el-ilusionista-Rene-Lavand,-uno-de-los-artistas-mas-grandes-de-la-historia-de-Tandil.html |website=Eleco.com.ar |accessdate=February 8, 2015 |lang=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208124615/https://www.eleco.com.ar/noticias/Interés-General/246944:4/Murio-el-ilusionista-Rene-Lavand,-uno-de-los-artistas-mas-grandes-de-la-historia-de-Tandil.html |date=February 8, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |via=Wayback Machine}}{{cite news |last1=Cecchini |first1=Daniel |title=La increíble vida de René Lavand, el ilusionista que asombró al mundo con una sola mano y maravilló a David Copperfield |url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/2024/02/07/la-increible-vida-de-rene-lavand-el-ilusionista-que-asombro-al-mundo-con-una-sola-mano-y-maravillo-a-david-copperfield/#:~:text=H%C3%A9ctor%20Ren%C3%A9%20Lavandera%20muri%C3%B3%20en,sus%20primeros%20trucos%20de%20magia. |access-date=30 October 2024 |work=Infobae |date=7 February 2024 |language=es}}

File:Estatua de René Lavand Tandil 01.jpg|Statue of René Lavand in the city of Tandil (Argentina).

File:Estatua de René Lavand Tandil 02.jpg|Located on Paseo Intendente Martínez

Selected filmography

Un oso rojo ("A Red Bear"), directed by Adrian Caetano (2002): plays 'El Turco'
El Gran Simulador ("The Great Pretender"), directed by Néstor Frenkel (2013): biographical film with performance excerpts and interviews with Lavand at his home