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PASADENA, Calif. - Daniel S. Battagline, also known as magician star "Sylvester the Jester," 64, of Pasadena, California, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jasmin Terrace Nursing Home, after a harrowing battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Danny was born on Oct. 10, 1961, in Youngstown, Ohio, the first son of Pat and Merrie Lou Battagline.
He leaves his twins, Dino and Desiree, 11, whom he cherished. He also leaves his sister, Detta Perrone and her husband, Dom, and his two nephews, Nicholas and Dominic, all of Niles, Ohio. He also leaves his stepsisters, Mary Kay Williams, Leslie Williams and Laura (Sam) Dye, and their sons, his nephews, Cody, Connor and Trey.
His parents; his stepmother, Joan; and a younger brother are deceased.
Danny was a world-famous magician who made his start in magic at Western Reserve High School in Berlin Center, Ohio, where he won a talent show at age 15. He graduated in 1980. He went on to Youngstown State University, where he majored in fine and theater arts. Around campus, Danny was known then as "Dan the Derby Man." Before long, Dan moved to LA and joined the Magic Castle community, where he performed for the next seven years.
Around that time, he introduced, performed and taught fellow magicians his own sleight-of-hand move called the "Sylvester Pitch,” which he is known for to this day. He also created the 10-foot-pole effect, which he also produced and sold to other magicians. Dan was often referred to as a "genius" by many in his field for his creativity, generosity and imagination.
During his career, Sylvester toured internationally to over 30 countries and appeared in Las Vegas, Korea, Monaco, Columbia, Spain, and New Zealand, just to name a few.
The awards he received over the years were “Baguette d’Or”-- presented to him by Princess Stephanie of Monaco in 1998; "Kid's Choice”-Junior Jury's Grand Prix, Monte Carlo Magic Stars 1998; "Festival Favorite”--1998; "International Del Humor”--Bogota, Columbia 1998; "Gold Medal Champion”--Pacific-Pacific Coast Association of Magicians, Santa Clara, California; "Appreciation Award”--(50th Anniversary Special), 1996--International Brotherhood of Magicians; and "Creative Fellow"--The Academy of Magical Arts, 2023.
Danny was also a fine artist. He was commissioned in high school to paint a mural of the stages of American history on the history room wall at age 17. He was also a kind-hearted person and would give anyone anything he had, especially his time, the one thing that mattered most.
Please join us to spend some of your time celebrating his life from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Ciminero's Banquet Center, 123 N. Main St., Niles, OH 44446, RSVP to Detta at 330-550-1417.
Local arrangements handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.
To share a memory, send a condolence, or view sympathy flowers and gifts, please visit Daniel's tribute page at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.
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