Anton Szandor LaVey was born on April 11, 1930, to Joseph and Augusta LaVey. His father was a liquor salesman, and the family soon moved to the San Francisco, California area. The name LaVey originated from an ancestor who was given the name "Levey" upon passing through Ellis Island, France.
Growing up, Tony LaVey showed early musical talent and received musical training. He was always an outsider and left home after an incident where another youth knifed his face, and Tony fought back. He joined circuses and carnivals, learning carny jobs and playing the calliope. He knew Clyde Beatty and Tim McCoy, and played organ for burlesque.
LaVey had a short affair with Marilyn Monroe and later left Los Angeles to return to San Francisco, where he continued as an organist and became a police photographer. He married Carole and started his Magic Circle meetings. He later left Carole for Diane, who was even more beautiful.
LaVey's life took a dramatic turn when he founded the Church of Satan with his wife Diane in 1966. The Church of Satan was the world's first openly acknowledged Satanic Church, and Anton became its spokesman and the very image of Satan and Satanism. Diane, also a Satanic high priestess, performed the role of good wife and church administrator.
The Church of Satan gained intense worldwide publicity and growth in membership, with LaVey performing public rituals, including the first Satanic wedding, baptism, and funeral. He associated with many famous and accomplished people, including Jayne Mansfield, Sammy Davis Jr., Kenneth Anger, and directors Milo O. Frank Jr. and Robert Fuest.
LaVey authored several well-known books on Satanism and witchcraft, including "The Satanic Bible" and "The Satanic Rituals." He was a multi-talented, elitist, and private person who was protective of animals and children, but also had a dark side. He was known for being physically strong and was involved in a few violent incidents.
Despite his controversial life and legacy, LaVey's influence remains great, and he is often credited as a forerunner of heavy-metal, Satanic rock, vampire, and goth cultures.
