The ultimate street performer
Gazzo (Gary Osborne) is a legendary comedy magician who has been entertaining audiences worldwide for over forty years. His unique talent and dedication to the art of magic have earned him a loyal following across the globe.
On August 7, 2024, Gazzo suffered a heart attack, requiring an immediate triple bypass at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, FL. He collapsed upon arriving at the emergency room, marking yet another chapter in his ongoing battle for recovery.
This health crisis comes just over a year after Gazzo endured a devastating, paralyzing stroke in March 2023 affecting the right side of his body. That stroke nearly claimed his life and marked the SECOND major stroke of his life—the first one occurred on June 19, 1994 when he was just 34 years old. These repeated health setbacks have tested his resilience, but Gazzo’s spirit remains unbroken.
In 2023, cruelly, the second stroke struck just two days before his sixty-third birthday while he was performing at Mallory Square in Key West, FL. Despite this, Gazzo continued to bring joy to countless audiences, refusing to let his health challenges define him.
But now, in 2024 Gazzo is facing yet another battle with the Triple Bypass. The road to recovery is long and uncertain, with mounting medical expenses and the need for continued care.
Having dedicated his life to the art of magic and inspired countless magicians along the way, Gazzo now needs our support. He’s always been there to uplift others, whether through his unforgettable performances or his generous mentorship.
Now it’s our turn to lift Gazzo up during this time of need. Your donations will go directly toward his medical expenses, rehabilitation, and ensuring he has the best chance to continue doing what he loves—bringing magic and laughter to the world.
We are turning to GoFundMe for help with Gazzo's recovery from these health challenges. He is facing a devastating situation that he cannot overcome alone.
Gazzo has brought joy, laughter, and wonder to countless people throughout his career, but now he now needs our help more than ever!
He needs real support from everyone to get all necessary medical treatment and cover living expenses.
Your donation, no matter how small or big, will make a difference in helping him access the care he needs, pay his bills, and maintain his sense of hope and dignity during this very challenging time.
Gazzo has given so much to so many throughout his career; now it's time for us to give back. Let's rally around him, show him our love and support, and help him get back on his feet. Let’s ‘pass the hat’ for Gazzo’s recovery!
Let’s help Gazzo win this fight and return to the stage where he belongs.
A timeline of recent events
-August 28, 2024: A personal friend, Adrian Fernandez, has been acting as Gazzo's caregiver, until, while helping him gather some belongings from Key West, Adrian slipped, catching his right foot in the stairway railing and suffering a double-ankle fracture. This was a setback in Adrian trying to assist Gazzo in getting back to health.
-August 7, 2024: Gazzo suffers a third heart attack and collapses in the emergency room at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, FL. He undergoes an immediate triple bypass surgery.
-March 2023: Just over a year before the heart attack, Gazzo survived a major, paralyzing stroke on March 21, 2023, in Key West, FL, just two days before his 63rd birthday. Gazzo was admitted to Lower Keys Medical Center, unable to walk, emotionally broken, in tears, and barely able to speak.
This stroke affected the right side of his body. Gazzo’s previous stroke in 1994 affected his left side.
-Mounting Medical Bills: The heart attack and triple bypass have now compounded the financial strain caused by his previous strokes, leading to significant additional medical bills and the need for further ongoing rehabilitation.
-Ongoing Recovery: While Gazzo's spirit remains strong, the road to recovery is long and uncertain, with the need for physical therapy and prescription medication costing approximately $750 per month.
He has a steep road to recovery.
Arguably, Gazzo has performed before more spectators than any other solo entertainer in history. During his multi-decade career, he has performed over sixty-five thousand shows and entertained 15 million+ people!
He has been seen in numerous countries throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. His performances have garnered critical acclaim, and earning him numerous awards for his exceptional talent.
Gazzo is the only living student of Walter Irving Scott (The Phantom), and is the co-author of “Phantoms of the Cardtable.”
Gazzo is considered to be one of today’s greatest living magicians and, by far, among the greatest living street performers of this era.
Gazzo has given so much to so many throughout his career. Now is the time for each of us to give back. Let's rally around him, show him our love and support, and help him get back on his feet. Let’s ‘pass the hat’ for Gazzo’s recovery!
These health issues have put an abrupt stop to Gazzo’s income. He is unable to work, and now faces mounting medical bills and living expenses.
Your contribution will cover the cost of his medical care, including doctor's visits, hospital stays, and rehabilitation. As anyone who has experienced severe health problems knows, recovery is a challenging process that requires extensive medical attention.
In addition, all funds collected will be used to cover Gazzo's living expenses during this recovery and while working to get back on his feet.
As a professional street entertainer, Gazzo's income depends on his ability to perform. With his motor skills affected by the stroke, he cannot provide for himself.
For Gazzo, this is not just a financial setback, but an emotional one as well. Magic has been his life's passion, and this new health setback is catastrophic for him.
The funds raised through this campaign will not only help to alleviate the financial burden on Gazzo, but will also give him hope and motivation to keep fighting and working towards his recovery.
How you can be connected to the cause
His close friend, Adrian Fernandez, has been an integral part of Gazzo's journey in bringing his new project of 'Cracker Parkers' to life. This was to be a comedy-magic theater located in Key West, FL, a place where Gazzo could showcase his talent and passion to an intimate audience of 25-50 patrons (as well as teach magic students all over the world).
However, given the current circumstances, 'Cracker Parkers' has been put on hold indefinitely. This is a huge emotional setback for Gazzo, who has been so excited about this project and the opportunity to share his magic with an entirely new audience.
It is also a heart-wrenching moment for Adrian, who has been working tirelessly to make this project a reality for his dear friend.
The decision to put the project on hold was not an easy one, but it was necessary in light of Gazzo's recent medical setback. With his health and well-being in mind, it was important to take a step back and focus on recovery.
But even in the face of adversity, Adrian remains optimistic. He knows that Gazzo's talent and passion for magic are still very much alive and that they will find a way to bring 'Cracker Parkers’ to life when the time is right. For now, the focus is on Gazzo's health and well-being, and everyone will work to support him through his recovery.
How will your donation to GoFundMe help Gazzo?
Absolutely 100% of the collected funds will be used to pay for:
1) Medical Expenses (including hospital stays, doctor visits, rehabilitation, and any necessary medications).
2) Gazzo's living expenses while he is unable to work. This loss of income has made it difficult for him to cover his day-to-day expenses, such as rent, utilities, and groceries.
What can be expected for recovering from a stroke?
Some common symptoms and potential recovery timeframes for someone, like Gazzo, who has suffered a second stroke are:
-Difficulty with speech or language
-Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
-Difficulty with coordination and balance
-Loss of vision or other changes in vision
-Difficulty with memory or thinking clearly
-Emotional changes, such as depression or anxiety
Recovery time:
The initial phase of recovery following a stroke can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, during which time the focus is stabilizing the individual's condition and preventing further damage.
Following this initial phase, the rehabilitation process begins. This involves a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
Furthermore, the emotional and psychological support that Gazzo will receive from knowing that he has the support of his community can be invaluable.
Recovering from a stroke can be a problematic and isolating process, and knowing that others care and are rooting for him will help him stay motivated and positive throughout his recovery.
As a comedy magic variety entertainer, Gazzo relied on his performances to make a living. However, these health setbacks have left him unable to perform, and unable to generate income to support himself during his recovery.
Gazzo is in a perilous and difficult financial situation, with medical bills and living expenses mounting, and little means to cover them.
Without the support of the fans and magic community through fundraising efforts, Gazzo would be left to face these challenges alone, and the impact on his physical, financial, and emotional health could be devastating.
He may be forced to go without necessary medical treatment, struggle to pay bills, and face the possibility of not being able to recover.
The emotional toll of facing these challenges can be overwhelming, particularly for someone who has dedicated their life to entertaining and bringing joy to others.
The outpouring of support through fundraising can help lift the spirits of the recipient, providing a much-needed sense of community and solidarity during a difficult time.
In short, fundraising through GoFundMe is incredibly important in situations like this because it can mean the difference between a person being able to access necessary medical care, pay bills, and maintain a sense of hope and dignity, or facing a potentially devastating situation alone.
The community’s support can make all the difference in the world and can provide a lifeline for someone like Gazzo as he navigates the challenges of his recovery.
Campaign Goal:
We are starting this GoFundMe campaign to help Gazzo and his family cover the medical expenses and other costs associated with his stroke. We aim to raise $75,000 to help him get back on his feet and continue performing his magic shows.
Every PENNY of this will go to Gazzo directly.
How You Can Help:
Please consider donating to Gazzo’s GoFundMe account using the link below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/savegazzoslife/donate?source=btn_donate
Whether it's $5 or $500, every little bit helps. Your generosity will help Gazzo cover his medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and living expenses during his recovery period.
Final Thoughts:
Gazzo has brought laughter, joy, and wonder to countless people with his incredible magic comedy shows over the years. Let us come together and show our support for him during this difficult time.
Your donations will not only help him financially, but will also provide him with the emotional support he desperately needs to get through this challenging period.
Gazzo's journey to recovery will be challenging, but he will never give up!
His determination and strength of character are, and continue to be, an inspiration to us all.
Gazzo thanks you in advance for your generosity and support
To learn more about Gazzo, check out his WikiPedia here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazzo_(magician)