Acting-wise, he is still best remembered for his co-starring role of navy man Lester Gruber on the TV series "McHale's Navy" (1962) starring Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway.
Changed his name to Ballantine early in his career after he happened to spot a bottle of Ballantine Whiskey in an advertisement and decided that the name of his magic act would be "Ballantine, the World's Greatest Magician".
Exempt from military service during World War II because of back trouble, he entertained troops in England.
Father of Sara Ballantine.
His fans included Steve Martin and David Copperfield.
His last feature film was a picture directed by his friend Richard Rossi entitled "Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story." Rossi said, "Our friendship was the source of great times together at the Magic Castle and Hollywood jazz clubs and smoking Cuban cigars.".
In addition to being an actor, Ballantine is an accomplished magician.
Inveterate smoker of Cuban stogies.
Loved to play the horses at Santa Anita racetrack.
Once worked as a printer.
One-of-a-kind, he was billed as the incomparable Carl "The Amazing" Ballantine, the only magician who NEVER did a trick. Actually, in his early career, he did a manipulation act, but gave up real magic when he realized he could not be as good as some of his peers. However, he did become the first magician to headline in Las Vegas.
Performed as Lycus, the slave merchant, on Broadway in the 1972 revival of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" starring Phil Silvers.
Performed his magic act for the last time at the "It's Magic" show at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood during the fall of 2008, broaching age 91.
Received a Lifetime Achievement Fellowship, from the Magic Castle in Hollywood in 2007. The honor was presented by Steve Martin.