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Hans Moretti

1928 – 2013

Magician and escapologist

Magician EscapologyMagic (illusion)
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About Hans Moretti

Lived 1928 – 2013 (aged 84). Hans Moretti was a German magician, escapology and magic (illusion).

Johannes Crewe, more widely known by his stage name Hans Moretti (24 July 1928 – 13 March 2013) was an illusionist and escapologist.

Life and career

Born in Beckersdorf, in what was then the Eastern Galician part of Poland, his family moved to Germany after the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in 1939. He began performing at the age of sixteen, first as a juggler before becoming a magician and escapologist.

During the course of his career he won many awards, including the Grand Illusions award of the FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques) in 1976 for a routine in which he escaped, unharmed and having changed into a clown costume, from a box through which swords had been thrust by members of the audience, and the Mentalism Award of the FISM in 1979, for a routine in which he played Russian roulette with two loaded revolvers. He was a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, and was appointed to the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his achievements.

Often assisted by his wife Helga, he appeared as a guest on The Paul Daniels Magic Show on numerous occasions during the 1980s, more times than any other performer, and was billed as "Europe's Greatest Illusionist" when performing in Las Vegas. Throughout his career he broke eighteen world records.

He retired in 2006 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His wife Helga predeceased him. They had three children: Hans, Peter and Nicole Moretti, all of whom are also professional magicians.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Awards
Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Also known as
Johannes Crewe

People in Hans Moretti's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Hans Moretti's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Hans Moretti?

Magician and escapologist (1928-2013)

When was Hans Moretti born?

Hans Moretti was born on 24 July 1928 in Galicia.

When did Hans Moretti die?

Hans Moretti died on 13 March 2013 in Dillingen.

What was Hans Moretti's occupation?

Hans Moretti was a magician, escapology and magic (illusion).

What nationality was Hans Moretti?

Hans Moretti was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Hans Moretti

· Wikidata: Q1581393

· DBpedia: Hans Moretti

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hans Moretti. https://biography.guide/hans-moretti/

MLA: "Hans Moretti." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hans-moretti/.

Chicago: "Hans Moretti." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hans-moretti/.

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