Who is the greatest illusionist

With his slight frame and low-key delivery, he breathed new life into the craft by delivering close-up magic to young people on the street. Best known for his documentary show, Dynamo: Magician Impossible Mission Improbable would be a more accurate title , whatever sleight of hand goes into it, he has amazed his audience by swallowing jewellery, then pulling it out of his stomach, transforming snow into diamonds, walking on water across the Thames and bench-pressing kg in the gym.

It takes a lot of hard work — or steroids — to do that. As the agent went to brandish his badge, Robbins produced it, then turned to the chief of security and handed him the keys to the Carter motorcade. His work is an object lesson in the importance of personal space. Derren Brown The former Christian, now a prominent atheist, uses magic to shine a light on religious charlatans and quacks of all kinds. His victims do most of the work, offering body-language clues and absorbing subliminal messages.

At times, this can be genuinely alarming; a member of the public is persuaded to make an assassination attempt on Stephen Fry or a social worker is made to confess to a murder he did not commit. They sat and watched while the illusionist, 10 other crew members and a menagerie of animals, including the unfortunate lion, were incinerated as the orchestra struck up the national anthem.

But with hundreds of mystifying performers alive today, how are we to christen the ten best currently living sorcerers, yet alone of those of all time?

I've researched and reviewed many entertainers and hope to present some of the top artists in all magic fields illusions, sleight of hand, escape, and so on.

Thus, factoring in skills, legacy, and perhaps a pinch of personal bias, here are the top ten magicians of all time! The program employed a mysterious masked figure to reveal dozens of tricks; why the anonymity?

Back then, the attitude towards magic was a bit different, and performers were hesitant to reveal the secrets behind their tricks, fearing other magicians would cry foul at "ruining" their livelihoods. However, Valentino eventually unmasked himself on camera and proudly stated that understanding a trick doesn't diminish our interest in it, but allows us to better appreciate the efforts that magicians dedicate towards it.

Valentino explained that exposing older tricks also paves the way for magicians to innovate and evolve. Although he often dons his intimidating black costume even after his big reveal, don't be fooled—the Masked Magician carries a big heart. He's not Dumbledore, but James Randi's many years in the field have offered him exceptional knowledge of the wizarding world.

Beginning as a stage performer, Randi specialized in escapes, even besting some of Houdini's records for escape times or duration periods, but always humbly admitting that he had the advantage of youth I know, hard to believe looking at him compared to his predecessor. Beyond his acts, the magic community owes a great debt to Randi for his contribution to our understanding of magic. Skeptical of paranormal claims, Randi's James Randi Educational Foundation JREF organization offered one million dollars to anyone who could be proven to possess otherworldly powers under controlled scientific conditions.

Although many frauds attempted to cash in, Randi's group exposed their tricks, and he helped us muggles realize the beauty of magic lies in its execution, not phony spiritual abilities. A famed name despite his relative youth, David Blaine mystified audiences with a variety of world records and dangerous stunts. Beyond a plethora of impressive card tricks, he's been buried alive in a water-filled tank, trapped in an icy prison for almost three days, and caught bullets fired from a.

Blaine has undoubtedly mastered several potent tricks, but his notable arrogance and haughty attitude keep him lower on today's list. Having performed over 15, shows for 5 million people in the magical capital of the world, Las Vegas, Burton is currently enjoying a well-deserved retirement.

A dedicated stage performer, Burton preferred amazing live audiences over recording televised programs, but nonetheless has appeared in a variety of TV specials. For his impressive resume of escapes and deceptions, Las Vegas contracted him for a then record-breaking 13 years, and his routine was largely considered the best family act in town.

Lim's brand of illusions involves atmospheric sets, elegant music, and perfected sleight of hand that crafted arguably the most stunning magic on Fool Us yet. Although he takes his show seriously, Shin himself comes across as a laid-back and amiable person, and his inspiring story about overcoming severed tendons in his hand which can ruin a magician's career showcases his incredible willpower. Born back in , David Devant demonstrated just how cool, calm, and collected magicians should be.

Having heavily influenced the history of stage performers, Denant was noted for the wit, charm, and humility contained within his impressive platform magic. He also revealed the secrets to many of his techniques in an autobiography, a rarity at the time that helped teach budding magicians the craft. Speaking of which, when confronted by a boastful young magician claiming to know hundreds of tricks, Devant refused to take the bait, artfully replying he only knew a few dozen, but knew them very well.

Ever emphasizing quality over quantity and compassion over greed, Devant was noted for saying his magic was done "all by kindness". A specialist of pick-pocketing, misdirection, and psychology, Apollo Robbins often calls himself the "Gentlemen Thief"; he'll steal from audiences only to watch their amazement as he returns their items. David Copperfield is easily the best-known magician in the world. He has presented innovative magic in his many television specials and continues to tour and perform for live audiences.

He's an immensely talented and skillful entertainer who has changed with the times and does it all: illusion, manipulation, and close-up. Doug Henning is often credited with resurrecting magic as a theatrical art in the s. He starred on Broadway, toured with a large stage show, and popularized magic in his own television specials.

Siegfried and Roy are known for their magic involving big cats. The well-known pair were not only the most successful and best-known entertainers in Las Vegas, they were Las Vegas. Every magician who works in Vegas today can thank this pair.

He is a skilled magician and an excellent entertainer. A respected magic historian, author, and highly skilled in magic as well as the methods of cheats, Ricky Jay stars in his own live close-up shows. When television was in its infancy, Mark Wilson pioneered the presentation of magic on TV in an ambitious weekly series. He also headlined in his own Las Vegas show, acted as magic consultant for numerous television shows and starred in television magic specials.

The brilliant pair star in their own live show in Las Vegas, as well as a television series. For a couple of guys who learned to do a few cool things, the edgy Penn and Teller may be the most respected magicians in the lay public's eyes. Best known as a television star, Harry Anderson created and presented his con man persona in comedy and nightclubs and starred in his own television specials. Performer and teacher Jeff McBride is a respected magic expert and a skilled manipulator who tours in his own show and appears regularly in Las Vegas.

He constantly brings innovation to the presentation of magic as a theatrical art. We're going out on a limb here and giving the final slot to Cyril Takayama.