Magic has been blowing minds for ages. At first, people thought it was all about supernatural powers. But over the years, weโve figured out itโs just clever tricks and illusions. Still, we canโt get enough of those mind-bending performances.
Now, with so many amazing magicians out there today, how do we pick the top ten? Itโs not an easy task, especially when you consider all the greats from history.
Iโve done research into the world of magic and magicians, checking out tons of performers to bring you the best of the best across all kinds of magicโillusions, sleight of hand, escape acts, and more. So, keeping in mind their skills, impact, and maybe a bit of my own opinion, here are the top ten magicians of all time!
16. Harry Kellar (1849-1922)
Known as “The Dean of American Magic,” Harry Kellar was a pioneering magician who dazzled audiences worldwide with his large-scale illusions.
As the first in the Royal Dynasty of Magic, Kellar set a tradition where the leading magician of the time would pass “The Mantle of Magic” to a worthy successor.
Kellar named Howard Thurston as his successor, and after Thurston’s passing, Dante took on the mantle, though not officially named by Thurston.
Lee Grabel followed Dante, also unofficially, and in 1994, Grabel ceremoniously passed the mantle to Lance Burton.
Kellar was one of the top performers of his era, but many of his famous illusions, including his renowned levitation trick, were “borrowed” from other magicians like John Nevil Maskelyne.
Despite this, Kellar’s impact on the world of magic was immense, and he remains a key figure in the history of magical performance.
15. Dai Vernon (1894-1992)
Known as “The Professor,” Dai Vernon was a pivotal figure in the development of modern close-up magic.
As the resident magician at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, he mentored and shaped many of the best close-up magicians of the late 20th century.
A true master of card magic, Vernon studied sleights from card cheats and fellow magicians alike, using this knowledge to create new tricks that are still essential in many performers’ repertoires today.
One of Vernon’s most legendary moments was performing a card trick that even Houdini couldn’t figure out.
This feat earned him the title “The Man Who Fooled Houdini.” Vernon’s contributions to magic, both through his performances and his mentorship, have left a lasting legacy in the world of magic.
14. John Nevil Maskelyne (1839-1917)
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John Nevil Maskelyne was a British magician known for his incredible thirty-one-year run at the Egyptian Hall in London with George Cooke.
When the Egyptian Hall closed, he moved his magic shows to St. George’s Hall, turning both venues into must-see tourist attractions in London.
Maskelyne treated magic as a form of theatre, weaving illusions into short plays like Will, The Witch, and the Watchman.
Maskelyne was also a vocal critic of Spiritualism and a prolific inventor. One of his most famous creations is the levitation illusion, which has become a staple for illusionists worldwide.
13. Howard Thurstonย (1869-1936)
Howard Thurston was one of the last great performers from the Golden Age of Magic.
By the time he passed away, he had the largest touring illusion show in the world. As the second in line in the Royal Dynasty of Magic, Thurston took the show he inherited (or bought) from Kellar and made it his own.
A key element of his show was the Levitation of Princess Karnac, a trick Kellar had taken from Maskelyne (check out our list of the Top Magic Tricks of All Time for more on that).
Thurston wasnโt just about big illusions, though. While Kellar mainly focused on grand illusions, Thurston was also a master of sleight of hand. His shows, even in large theaters, blended grand illusions with more intimate magic, creating a truly unique experience for his audience.
12. Alexander Herrmann (1844-1896)
When you think of the classic magician lookโpointed goatee, formal evening wearโyouโre probably picturing Alexander Herrmann, better known as Herrmann the Great. He toured the world with his illusion show, creating an enduring visual aesthetic for magicians.
Herrmann had a famous rivalry with Kellar (see #10 on this list), which led to the creation of elaborate posters to promote their performances in towns. These posters, now highly collectible, emphasized the importance of visual branding in magic acts.
One of Herrmannโs most famous and dangerous tricks was the bullet catch, where he would catch a signed bullet fired from a gun with his teeth. This daring feat, along with his regal and magical presence, cemented his place as a legendary figure in the world of magic.
11. Doug Henning (1947-2000)
Canadian magician, Doug Henning played a major role in bringing magic back into the spotlight in the 1970s.
He starred on Broadway in The Magic Show before launching his successful World of Magic TV specials in 1975.
Henning recreated Houdini’s famous water torture cell escape in his first special, captivating audiences everywhere.
Henning’s infectious enthusiasm for magic, combined with his signature rainbow lycra jumpsuits, made him a memorable figure and subject of many parodies. Despite this, his genuine passion inspired countless young magicians.
Though he later stepped away from performing to study Transcendental Meditation, Henning’s name remains synonymous with magic, and his impact on the art form continues to be felt.
10. David Devant (1868-1941)
David Devant, born way back in 1868, was the epitome of what a magician should be: cool, calm, and collected. He left a huge mark on the world of stage magic with his wit, charm, and humility. Devant’s performances were nothing short of impressive.
He even wrote an autobiography spilling the secrets behind many of his tricks. This was a big deal at the time and a goldmine for aspiring magicians.
There’s a great story about Devant when a cocky young magician bragged about knowing hundreds of tricks. Instead of getting into a pissing contest, Devant coolly said he only knew a few dozen but knew them well.
That was classic Devantโalways about quality over quantity. He believed in being kind and generous, famously saying his magic was done “all by kindness.”
8. David Copperfield
Magic really does seem to have a thing for guys named David, doesnโt it? This particular David took his stage name from the Charles Dickens novel.
With a flair for dramatic and diverse illusions, from nifty card tricks to the classic sawing-a-woman-in-half bit, Copperfield shot to fame as the world’s most financially successful magician.
This guy isnโt just about pulling rabbits out of hats. Copperfield is a master performer and storyteller, snagging nearly a dozen Guinness World Records and a whopping 21 Emmy Awards for his TV specials.
He’s raked in over four billion dollarsโmore than any other solo performer! Oh, and he started a charity called Project Magic, using sleight-of-hand tricks to help rehab disabled patients.
While he’s got some amazing card tricks up his sleeve, Copperfield is probably best known for his mind-blowing large-scale illusions.
Remember when he escaped from Alcatraz? Or make a giant airplane vanish? And, letโs not forget the time he made the Statue of Liberty disappear. Yeah, he’s kind of a big deal.
7. Lance Burton
After wowing over 5 million people in more than 15,000 shows in Las Vegas, the magic capital of the world, Lance Burton is now kicking back and enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
This guy loved performing on stage way more than being on TV, but he still popped up in a bunch of specials.
Twice, the Academy of Magical Arts named him “Magician of the Year,” and he holds the title of the youngest person to ever snag the top prize at the international magic competition, FISM, in Switzerland.
Las Vegas couldn’t get enough of his mind-blowing tricks and illusions, so they locked him in for a record-breaking 13 years.
And let me tell you, his act was known as the best family show in town!
5. Val Valentino (Masked Magician)
Remember the late ’90s when FOX brought us “Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed”?
It was a huge hit! The show featured this enigmatic masked guy spilling the beans on all kinds of magic tricks.
But why the mask? Back then, the magic scene was pretty secretive. Magicians didn’t want their tricks out in the open, afraid it would wreck their careers.
But guess what? Valentino eventually took off the mask on camera.
He made a bold statement: knowing how a trick works doesn’t kill the magic; it makes us appreciate the magician’s skill even more. He also believed that by exposing old tricks, magicians could come up with new and exciting ones.
Even after his big unmasking, Valentino often still rocks his dark, mysterious costume. But donโt be fooledโbehind that intimidating look is a guy with a big heart.
4. David Blaine
David Blaine is a big name in magic, and for good reason.
Despite being relatively young, heโs wowed audiences with a bunch of world records and some seriously dangerous stunts.
Besides his mind-blowing card tricks, heโs been buried alive in a water-filled tank, spent nearly three days in an icy prison, and even caught bullets in his teeth from a .22 rifle.
While Blaine’s skills are undeniably top-notch, his notable arrogance and haughty attitude keep him a bit lower on today’s list.
3. James Randi
James Randi isn’t exactly Dumbledore, but his years in the magic world have given him some serious wizardry cred. Starting as a stage performer, Randi specialized in escapes, even breaking some of Houdini’s records for escape times and durations.
He always humbly pointed out that he had the advantage of youthโhard to believe when you see him now.
But Randiโs impact goes way beyond his performances. The magic community owes him big time for his contributions to our understanding of magic.
Skeptical of paranormal claims, he founded the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) and offered a million dollars to anyone who could prove they had supernatural powers under controlled scientific conditions.
Many frauds tried to cash in, but Randi and his team exposed their tricks. He helped us muggles see that the true beauty of magic lies in its execution, not in fake spiritual abilities.
2. Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller
I’m putting these two together because, let’s face it, you rarely see one without the other.
Penn and Teller are like the dynamic duo of magic, blending comedy and illusion into something unique. Penn’s the loud, chatty one, while Teller stays silent, creating this perfect balance.
They love to tease the audience by revealing parts of their tricks, making you think you’ve figured it all out. But just when you think you know what’s up, they hit you with something unexpected. It’s genius.
These guys are all about the art of deception.
They make it clear that supernatural claims are just nonsense, and they believe audiences are perfectly happy knowing it’s all a trick as long as they’re having fun.
You can catch them on their hit show Fool Us, where they challenge magicians from around the globe to stump them with their tricks. It’s a blast watching them try to figure it all out!
1. Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini, the legend of escape acts, seemed like he could break free from any setup, no matter how impossible it looked.
Heโd often dare local police to lock him up in some death-defying gadget, leaving the crowd on edge until heโd casually appear among them, grinning after a few nail-biting minutes.
But Houdini was more than just an escape artist. He trained as an actor, became a pilot, and even served as president of the Society of American Magicians.
He started as a card performer, but when he realized he was only so-so at it, he didnโt let that stop him. Instead, he shifted gears and found his true calling in escape artistry.
The takeaway? You donโt have to be the best at everything. Just enjoy and perfect the skills you do have, and you might just become a legend like Houdini.
