Born in Pasadena and a graduate of Occidental College, Larsen began his career in television at CBS, working his way up to associate producer of “Playhouse 90" and the Danny Kaye and Jonathan Winters variety shows. In 1953, after the death of his father, attorney and magician William W. Larsen Sr., he became editor and eventually publisher of Genii, The Conjurors Magazine, a publication for magicians founded by his parents in 1936.
Born in Pasadena and a graduate of Occidental College, Larsen began his television career at CBS, progressing from associate producer of "Playhouse 90" and the Danny Kaye and Jonathan Winters variety shows to become editor and publisher of Genii. In 1953, after his father's death, attorney and magician William W. Larsen Sr., he took on these roles.