Talk:Fred Keating

Fred Keating the magician
I was going to create an article for the magician Fred Keating but this appears to be the same guy who was also an actor, only problem is there seems to be conflicting information about his date of birth. This website claims he was born in March 27, 1902, other sources say March 27, 1897. I believe the 1897 is correct as it is also supported here HealthyGirl (talk) 17:34, 3 June 2016 (UTC)

Magic historian David Price on Keating:

"The name Fred Keating will be remembered by some for his roles as an actor, but his first entry into show business was as a magician. Indeed, his life is so intertwined with magic that, in the annals of show business, he must be listed under the heading "magician." Born as Frederic Serrano Keating, he came by his love of the stage naturally, his mother, Camilla Serrano Keating, being a singer and his grandmother, Mary Jane Serrano, an author and lecturer." (David Price. (1985). Magic: A Pictorial History of Conjurers in the Theater. Cornwall Books. p. 349) HealthyGirl (talk) 17:44, 3 June 2016 (UTC)


 * His New York Times obituary says he died aged 64 (which supports the 1897 date), but the New York City Birth Index lists a Frederick "Lerrano" Keating, born 27 March 1901 to F.L.C. Keating and Camille Lerrano Keating. I'm guessing "Lerrano" is a mistranscription of Serrano. See Family Search (free registration required). I believe I've also located him in the 1905 NY Census, where he's listed as a 4-year old living with his parents; and the 1920 U.S. Census, where he is 19 and living with his then-divorced mother. Also, in his 1932 interview with Modern Mechanix he said he was "not quite 30". So, 1901 seems the more likely birth year.--Muzilon (talk) 11:43, 4 April 2018 (UTC)

Spivy's Roof?
Is he the same Fred Keating who performed at the NY nightclub Spivy's Roof in the 1940s? Billboard says he was married to the proprietor, Spivy, although since they were both apparently gay, that may have been a cover story. --Muzilon (talk) 06:40, 4 April 2018 (UTC)