Even though the Santa Claus references happen year
'round, David Lee Owen is understandably extra busy this
time of year.
With long white hair and a white beard, Owen, who is
just under six feet tall and weighs about 250 pounds,
says that there's nothing he enjoys more than making
children happy. But his Santa services aren't restricted
to children, by any means.
Cydney Scott/The
Post
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David Lee Owen
portrays Santa Claus during the holiday
season. A magician by trade, Owen is
making balloon animals for some children
at a private party held at Greenacres
Community Park. Owen also entertains as
the magician, Magic Lee.
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Last year he did office parties at the Breakers and
at the Ritz Carlton where he worked the room full of
adults who wanted their picture taken with Santa.
"They're all children when you're Santa Claus," said
Owen, a magician by trade who lives in Jupiter.
Owen grew up poor in Pennsylvania, the fourth of five
children of a single mother. It was through his
childhood struggles that Owen learned a valuable lesson
about the importance of having a sense of humor.
"He who laughs, lasts," he said. Owen is lasting.
When he left college after two years, Owen ran a
music store. By 1976, business had faltered so he moved
to South Florida and took over his father's music store.
He was performing as a magician on the side and becoming
more and more successful.
Now, Owen manages to make a living between playing
Santa and performing magic tricks. He says it all comes
down to one basic premise.
"I gotta say that I enjoy putting smiles on people's
faces. It doesn't get much better than that," he said.
Owen got his first magic kit when he was 5 years old
and he still has some of the original multiplying balls.
He's the consummate professional when it comes to his
magic, sometimes taking up to a full year to develop a
trick before presenting it.
And youngsters at one of Owen's shows can count on
being in the spotlight. He has seen too many children
left crying because they weren't called on stage.
"I get every child at one time or another to help me.
That way no one gets left out," he said.
His stage name is Magic Lee, and he performs just
about anywhere he's asked to — birthday parties, office
parties, you name it. His routine includes some original
tricks involving rabbits (not real ones), as well as
coin tricks, sophisticated rope tricks and a cooking
routine.
He has a few Christmas tricks that he performs as
Santa Claus. Owen is always coming up with new tricks
for his show.
"I'm always developing new tricks but I practice a
lot before I present it. At least 100 times," he said,
adding that doing magic is like learning to play the
guitar. "It's doing it over and over again. It's like
anything else. It's expertise. You don't pick up a
guitar and start playing it."
When he's not practicing magic, performing magic or
playing Santa Claus, Owen fields a few requests to play
a wizard and Uncle Sam, thanks to his long white hair
and beard. He also plays drums with the Boston Pops when
they are performing in town.
Come Christmas Day, however, Owen will set aside his
Santa suit and enjoy time with his girlfriend and her
family.
"I'll be wearing flip flops. I might not even wear a
shirt."
What is your favorite book?
"Gone With the Wind."
What event in history do you wish you had
witnessed?
"Maybe the first light bulb."
