He saw prestidigitator Bill Baird performing with billiard balls, and taught himself similar tricks but using live cockatiels or parakeets, inventing the idea of "bird manipulation".
Kodell started appearing at the El Rancho casino and hotel in Las Vegas, becoming the first magician to be featured in the city.
He toured around the world, and frequently visited Britain, where he met English entertainer Mary Naylor; they married in 1953.
At that time, Kodell was presenting his magic tricks in an ice show at the Empress Hall, Earl's Court.
[3] He retired from performing in 1962, aged 34, and formed a company, Incentive Travel, which turned redundant cruise ships into entertainment venues by building stages over ballroom floors, suitable for large musical theatre productions.