Frank Santos, the R-rated hypnotist
Frank Santos, also known as the “R-Rated Hypnotist,” died in his sleep Tuesday morning at his Cumberland, R.I. home. He was 60 years old.
During Santos’ 20-year career as a hypnotist, he became famous for his highly sexual act, which in turn made him popular on college campuses. He was certainly a hit in Boston, where he frequently performed for MIT fraternities and had an annual show at Boston University. Santos was also a regular performer at casinos and comedy clubs, and on TV.
Santos also often toned-down his act for high school or family shows.
“He wasn’t that old” Boston University junior Brittany Aranowitz said to The Daily Free Press, BU’s independent newspaper. “It’s like a BU freshman tradition at BU Central to have him at the beginning of the year.”
His act was both comedic and sexual, and the latter of those qualities put some people off. But mostly, it made him a nation-wide hit. BU students told The Daily Free Press they saw him make students dance and sing, and even have sex with chairs.
“He got people to laugh at themselves” said Ocean State Follies founder and friend Charlie Hall to the Providence Journal. “To see these bodybuilders from Johnston coming out of the men’s room wearing nothing but pantyhose made me a believer. I guess it worked.”
Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri on The Sopranos, told the Providence Journal, “Frank was a very dear friend of mine. I’m very upset.”
The wake will be this Friday at 4 p.m. at the Lincoln Funeral Home on Lonsdale Avenue in Lincoln, R.I. A private funeral will follow.
Leave a Reply