Sunset Profile: Our Magical Balloon Man

Sunset resident, balloon artist, and magician Rob Shapiro

As a Lowell High student decades ago, lifelong Sunset resident Rob Shapiro discovered he had a flair for transforming wiener-shaped balloons into colorful, whimsical creations. He enjoyed performing for friends, and along the way, he added another skill – magic tricks. Life propelled him into an advertising career. But after 9/11, Rob reconsidered his priorities. And voila: Meet Mr. SHAP, balloon artist and magician extraordinaire. 

Today, Rob Shapiro’s alter ego –better known as Mr. SHAP – is a beloved entertainer in Bay Area party circles, generating happy moments at birthdays, corporate events, schools, libraries, even weddings. He loves every minute, as do his amazed and delighted audiences. 

Rob had another dream after college - he wanted to live next to Stern Grove. He now lives around the corner from the green jewel of the Sunset. He also is an advocate for his community as a board member of the Pine Lake Park Neighborhood Association. 

“Back in high school, I never imagined I’d become an entertainer,” Rob says. “But I found a calling. It’s very gratifying to bring SHAPpiness and smiles to other people.”

Reported and written by volunteer community journalists Jan Cook and Tom Colin. If you are a retired journalist like Jan and Tom and would like to volunteer as a writer for Supervisor Engardio’s newsletter please send us a note here. We also encourage student journalists in high school and college to write stories.