Anton LaVey.

Anton Szandor LaVey was born Howard Stanton Levey on April 11, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois. His family soon moved to the San Francisco area, and his father worked as a liquor salesman. The name LaVey came from an immigrant ancestor whose place of origin, Levey, France, was anglicized at Ellis Island. Known as Tony, he showed early musical talent and received training. He left home after an incident where another youth knifed his face, and he joined circuses and carnivals, learning carny jobs and to play the calliope. He knew Clyde Beatty and Tim McCoy, and played organ for burlesque.

LaVey’s career as a public figure began with the founding of the Church of Satan in 1966. He performed the first public Satanic wedding, baptism for his daughter Zeena in 1967, and Satanic funeral. The documentary Satanis: The Devil’s Mass 1970 captured his views and the church’s activities. He authored The Satanic Bible 1969, The Satanic Witch, The Satanic Rituals, and The Devil’s Notebook. He appeared in the film The Devil’s Rain 1975 as High Priest, alongside William Shatner and John Travolta. He also hosted Death Scenes 1989 and participated in Speak of the Devil 1993.

LaVey married Carole Lansing, with whom he had daughter Karla in 1952. He later left Carole for Diane LaVey, marrying her in 1962. With Diane, he had daughter Zeena in 1964. His last companion was Blanche Barton, with whom he had a son, Satan Xerxes Carnacki LaVey, born November 1, 1993. He also had a grandson, Stanton, from Zeena. LaVey was associated with celebrities like Jayne Mansfield, Sammy Davis Jr., and Kenneth Anger. He was known for being protective of animals and children, but also had a dark side. He died of pulmonary edema on October 29, 1997, in San Francisco.

LaVey’s influence ranges from heavy-metal music to Satanic rock, vampire and goth cultures. He remains the iconic image of Satanism. The Church of Satan he founded continues. His works, particularly The Satanic Bible, are widely read. He was a forerunner of many subcultures. He is most remembered as the founder of the Church of Satan and author of The Satanic Bible.