they are our favorite conjurer’s of good times ladies and gentlemen boys and
times ladies and gentlemen boys and
times ladies and gentlemen boys and girls for your pleasure my assistants
girls for your pleasure my assistants
girls for your pleasure my assistants and I will present the famous Hindu rope
and I will present the famous Hindu rope
and I will present the famous Hindu rope trick
trick
trick welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 greatest magicians one year ago I took a
greatest magicians one year ago I took a
greatest magicians one year ago I took a chance with an escape created by Houdini
chance with an escape created by Houdini
chance with an escape created by Houdini called buried alive
called buried alive
called buried alive this mystical list features the best
this mystical list features the best
this mystical list features the best magicians and illusionists of the world
magicians and illusionists of the world
magicians and illusionists of the world both those who innovated the craft and
both those who innovated the craft and
both those who innovated the craft and others who carried on the tradition
others who carried on the tradition
others who carried on the tradition right there’s a trick number 10 Jean
right there’s a trick number 10 Jean
right there’s a trick number 10 Jean ujin hubba
ujin hubba
ujin hubba oday considered a pioneer in the magical
oday considered a pioneer in the magical
oday considered a pioneer in the magical milieu this French illusionist was so
milieu this French illusionist was so
milieu this French illusionist was so influential he was once asked by the
influential he was once asked by the
influential he was once asked by the Emperor of the second French Empire to
Emperor of the second French Empire to
Emperor of the second French Empire to calm french-algerian tribes by publicly
calm french-algerian tribes by publicly
calm french-algerian tribes by publicly mollifying them with magic
[Music]
[Music] originally interested in watchmaking
originally interested in watchmaking
originally interested in watchmaking hobbled a discovered magic as a teenager
hobbled a discovered magic as a teenager
hobbled a discovered magic as a teenager when the wrong set of books arrived in
when the wrong set of books arrived in
when the wrong set of books arrived in the mail
the mail
the mail thrilling Parisians at the Palais Royale
thrilling Parisians at the Palais Royale
thrilling Parisians at the Palais Royale Theatre and inspiring a young magician
Theatre and inspiring a young magician
Theatre and inspiring a young magician by the name of Eric Weitz more on him
by the name of Eric Weitz more on him
by the name of Eric Weitz more on him later Jean Jean Quebec ood ain’t read
later Jean Jean Quebec ood ain’t read
later Jean Jean Quebec ood ain’t read minds made his son levitate and caught
minds made his son levitate and caught
minds made his son levitate and caught bullets in his teeth not to mention he
bullets in his teeth not to mention he
bullets in his teeth not to mention he also inspired the formal attire that
also inspired the formal attire that
also inspired the formal attire that became a standard for modern magicians
became a standard for modern magicians
became a standard for modern magicians number nine Lance Burton born and raised
number nine Lance Burton born and raised
number nine Lance Burton born and raised in Kentucky Lance Burton shocked the
in Kentucky Lance Burton shocked the
in Kentucky Lance Burton shocked the world of magic when in 1982 he became
world of magic when in 1982 he became
world of magic when in 1982 he became the youngest person and the first
the youngest person and the first
the youngest person and the first American to win the International
American to win the International
American to win the International Federation of magic society’s
Federation of magic society’s
Federation of magic society’s competition in Switzerland for dinner
competition in Switzerland for dinner
competition in Switzerland for dinner everybody duck for dinner it’s a joke
everybody duck for dinner it’s a joke
everybody duck for dinner it’s a joke Tom I’m not gonna roast that duck that
Tom I’m not gonna roast that duck that
Tom I’m not gonna roast that duck that duck wouldn’t feed half these people now
duck wouldn’t feed half these people now
duck wouldn’t feed half these people now if I had two ducks with movie star looks
if I had two ducks with movie star looks
if I had two ducks with movie star looks and unbelievable sleight-of-hand tricks
and unbelievable sleight-of-hand tricks
and unbelievable sleight-of-hand tricks Burton appeared numerous times on The
Burton appeared numerous times on The
Burton appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show and booked record-setting
Tonight Show and booked record-setting
Tonight Show and booked record-setting shows at several Las Vegas casinos
shows at several Las Vegas casinos
shows at several Las Vegas casinos though he’s now retired this magician
though he’s now retired this magician
though he’s now retired this magician paved the way for endless Vegas acts and
paved the way for endless Vegas acts and
paved the way for endless Vegas acts and even appeared on the classic TV series
even appeared on the classic TV series
even appeared on the classic TV series Knight Rider a valiant attempt mr.
Knight Rider a valiant attempt mr.
Knight Rider a valiant attempt mr. Knight but all for naught and you know
Knight but all for naught and you know
Knight but all for naught and you know what he’s one of the few people talented
what he’s one of the few people talented
what he’s one of the few people talented enough to make that experience disappear
enough to make that experience disappear
enough to make that experience disappear from his resume say good night
ladies and gentlemen Elvis has left the
ladies and gentlemen Elvis has left the building and I’m about to do the same
building and I’m about to do the same
building and I’m about to do the same good night god bless number eight Dante
good night god bless number eight Dante
good night god bless number eight Dante the magician born Harry August Janssen
the magician born Harry August Janssen
the magician born Harry August Janssen this Danish magician began his career at
this Danish magician began his career at
this Danish magician began his career at the turn of the 20th century as a member
the turn of the 20th century as a member
the turn of the 20th century as a member of numerous comedy troupes Dante the
of numerous comedy troupes Dante the
of numerous comedy troupes Dante the magician traveled the world in
magician traveled the world in
magician traveled the world in vaudeville acts and spoke his trademark
vaudeville acts and spoke his trademark
vaudeville acts and spoke his trademark phrase Sim salabim
his 1955 death marked the end of the
his 1955 death marked the end of the Gypsy production era or what’s referred
Gypsy production era or what’s referred
Gypsy production era or what’s referred to as the Golden Age of magic as
to as the Golden Age of magic as
to as the Golden Age of magic as magicians had a new medium with which to
magicians had a new medium with which to
magicians had a new medium with which to showcase their talents there she wished
showcase their talents there she wished
showcase their talents there she wished she could remain there for hours should
she could remain there for hours should
she could remain there for hours should I so desire but watch my go Timmy are
I so desire but watch my go Timmy are
I so desire but watch my go Timmy are you ready
while Dante the magician never became
while Dante the magician never became what you’d call a TV star he was the
what you’d call a TV star he was the
what you’d call a TV star he was the vaudeville star back in the day
suspended from the ceiling of the
suspended from the ceiling of the theater number seven Criss Angel this
theater number seven Criss Angel this
theater number seven Criss Angel this mind freak is the definitive TV star of
mind freak is the definitive TV star of
mind freak is the definitive TV star of international magicians inspired by
international magicians inspired by
international magicians inspired by Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini Criss Angel spent years perfecting his
Criss Angel spent years perfecting his
Criss Angel spent years perfecting his craft on the streets before opening an
craft on the streets before opening an
craft on the streets before opening an off-broadway production that would lead
off-broadway production that would lead
off-broadway production that would lead to his famous TV show his illusions have
to his famous TV show his illusions have
to his famous TV show his illusions have caused some audience members to
caused some audience members to
caused some audience members to physically shake from shock and others
physically shake from shock and others
physically shake from shock and others to literally split in half while his
to literally split in half while his
to literally split in half while his extended stunts have become Time Square
extended stunts have become Time Square
extended stunts have become Time Square extravaganzas
now one of the most successful Vegas
now one of the most successful Vegas acts of all time
acts of all time
acts of all time Criss Angel continues to challenge our
Criss Angel continues to challenge our
Criss Angel continues to challenge our perceptions of the impossible and what
perceptions of the impossible and what
perceptions of the impossible and what it means to entertain six Harry
it means to entertain six Harry
it means to entertain six Harry Blackstone senior causing one to link
Blackstone senior causing one to link
Blackstone senior causing one to link with in the other go figure that out
with in the other go figure that out
with in the other go figure that out today
today
today magicians rely on personality to promote
magicians rely on personality to promote
magicians rely on personality to promote their craft but the great black stone
their craft but the great black stone
their craft but the great black stone simply let his work through the talking
simply let his work through the talking
simply let his work through the talking with such memorable illusions as sawing
with such memorable illusions as sawing
with such memorable illusions as sawing a woman in half using a buzz saw
a woman in half using a buzz saw
a woman in half using a buzz saw and making flowers appear as if from
and making flowers appear as if from
and making flowers appear as if from nowhere black stone senior also
nowhere black stone senior also
nowhere black stone senior also introduced the floating lightbulb a
introduced the floating lightbulb a
introduced the floating lightbulb a stunt designed by Thomas Edison and
stunt designed by Thomas Edison and
stunt designed by Thomas Edison and later performed by Harry Blackstone jr.
later performed by Harry Blackstone jr.
later performed by Harry Blackstone jr. wherein he would make a lighted
wherein he would make a lighted
wherein he would make a lighted lightbulb float through a hoop and then
lightbulb float through a hoop and then
lightbulb float through a hoop and then out to the crowd and over the heads of
out to the crowd and over the heads of
out to the crowd and over the heads of the audience
elegant and always well-dressed
elegant and always well-dressed blackstone senior even kept the troops
blackstone senior even kept the troops
blackstone senior even kept the troops in world war ii entertained as a
in world war ii entertained as a
in world war ii entertained as a performer for the USO and it’s magic
performer for the USO and it’s magic
performer for the USO and it’s magic water because look it will not run out
water because look it will not run out
water because look it will not run out of the bottle
of the bottle
of the bottle number five Siegfried and Roy Siegfried
number five Siegfried and Roy Siegfried
number five Siegfried and Roy Siegfried and Roy were so popular that real estate
and Roy were so popular that real estate
and Roy were so popular that real estate tycoon Steve Wynn decided to build an
tycoon Steve Wynn decided to build an
tycoon Steve Wynn decided to build an entire casino resort around them and
entire casino resort around them and
entire casino resort around them and their animals white lions white tigers
their animals white lions white tigers
their animals white lions white tigers and a couple of German gents that made
and a couple of German gents that made
and a couple of German gents that made the Mirage a Vegas reality oh my now
the Mirage a Vegas reality oh my now
the Mirage a Vegas reality oh my now retired Siegfried and Roy appeared on
retired Siegfried and Roy appeared on
retired Siegfried and Roy appeared on the Dick Cavett show way back in the 70s
the Dick Cavett show way back in the 70s
the Dick Cavett show way back in the 70s and proceeded to scare the living
and proceeded to scare the living
and proceeded to scare the living daylights out of audiences for decades
daylights out of audiences for decades
daylights out of audiences for decades to come with their theatrics while
to come with their theatrics while
to come with their theatrics while YouTube introduced Roy horn to a new
YouTube introduced Roy horn to a new
YouTube introduced Roy horn to a new generation after a 2003 tiger attack he
generation after a 2003 tiger attack he
generation after a 2003 tiger attack he and partner Siegfried Fishbach er have
and partner Siegfried Fishbach er have
and partner Siegfried Fishbach er have long been thrilling folks with their
long been thrilling folks with their
long been thrilling folks with their extraordinary tans and furry creatures
it doesn’t necessarily matter if you
it doesn’t necessarily matter if you can’t tell who’s who
can’t tell who’s who
can’t tell who’s who all that matters is their relationship
all that matters is their relationship
all that matters is their relationship and possible mind control of the animal
and possible mind control of the animal
and possible mind control of the animal kingdom
kingdom
kingdom [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] number four David Blaine you may not
number four David Blaine you may not
number four David Blaine you may not realize it but this street magician just
realize it but this street magician just
realize it but this street magician just broke another world record
broke another world record
broke another world record born in Brooklyn David Blaine was
born in Brooklyn David Blaine was
born in Brooklyn David Blaine was killing it with magic tricks before most
killing it with magic tricks before most
killing it with magic tricks before most kids learned how to tie their shoes I’m
kids learned how to tie their shoes I’m
kids learned how to tie their shoes I’m surprised he does that was safety net on
surprised he does that was safety net on
surprised he does that was safety net on the bottom just in case he falls the
the bottom just in case he falls the
the bottom just in case he falls the wind blows or a rain or something
wind blows or a rain or something
wind blows or a rain or something there’s nothing down there
there’s nothing down there
there’s nothing down there his resume of endurance acts often lands
his resume of endurance acts often lands
his resume of endurance acts often lands him in the Guinness Book of World
him in the Guinness Book of World
him in the Guinness Book of World Records but he’s well schooled in a
Records but he’s well schooled in a
Records but he’s well schooled in a variety of classical tricks see how all
variety of classical tricks see how all
variety of classical tricks see how all the cards start to just disappear see
the cards start to just disappear see
the cards start to just disappear see everything disappears except for hearts
everything disappears except for hearts
everything disappears except for hearts because that’s what she thought of him
because that’s what she thought of him
because that’s what she thought of him you might find him on the corner with
you might find him on the corner with
you might find him on the corner with cards or even atop a 100-foot Pole but
cards or even atop a 100-foot Pole but
cards or even atop a 100-foot Pole but you’ll undoubtedly walk away shaking
you’ll undoubtedly walk away shaking
you’ll undoubtedly walk away shaking your head at his mythical antics in fact
your head at his mythical antics in fact
your head at his mythical antics in fact you might even find yourself a little
you might even find yourself a little
you might even find yourself a little disturbed that’s what David Blaine does
disturbed that’s what David Blaine does
disturbed that’s what David Blaine does you know I can see in the camera
do you know why you chose that because
do you know why you chose that because you forced it on me I don’t know no no
you forced it on me I don’t know no no
you forced it on me I don’t know no no when I gave her this Sharpie and I
when I gave her this Sharpie and I
when I gave her this Sharpie and I showed it to you yeah just start number
showed it to you yeah just start number
showed it to you yeah just start number three Penn & Teller these two magicians
three Penn & Teller these two magicians
three Penn & Teller these two magicians aren’t exactly the best of friends off
aren’t exactly the best of friends off
aren’t exactly the best of friends off the stage but their mutual love of magic
the stage but their mutual love of magic
the stage but their mutual love of magic has made them household names all over
has made them household names all over
has made them household names all over the world one guy’s big the other small
the world one guy’s big the other small
the world one guy’s big the other small pen does all the talkin teller doesn’t
pen does all the talkin teller doesn’t
pen does all the talkin teller doesn’t talk at all today we start with psychics
talk at all today we start with psychics
talk at all today we start with psychics who claim they can communicate with the
who claim they can communicate with the
who claim they can communicate with the dead she only truly amazing thing about
dead she only truly amazing thing about
dead she only truly amazing thing about it is how many people believe together
it is how many people believe together
it is how many people believe together the skeptical magicians have called
the skeptical magicians have called
the skeptical magicians have called bullshit on a variety of topics but it’s
bullshit on a variety of topics but it’s
bullshit on a variety of topics but it’s their ability to entertain that earned
their ability to entertain that earned
their ability to entertain that earned them a star on the Hollywood Walk of
them a star on the Hollywood Walk of
them a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by keeping audiences laughing Penn
Fame by keeping audiences laughing Penn
Fame by keeping audiences laughing Penn & Teller offer a casual brand of magic
& Teller offer a casual brand of magic
& Teller offer a casual brand of magic slash comedy without taking themselves
slash comedy without taking themselves
slash comedy without taking themselves too seriously
number two David Copperfield
number two David Copperfield they should see the quarter all you have
they should see the quarter all you have
they should see the quarter all you have to do is take the quarter hang it right
to do is take the quarter hang it right
to do is take the quarter hang it right there there is a strict insider trick
there there is a strict insider trick
there there is a strict insider trick he’s far more than just a mortal man
he’s far more than just a mortal man
he’s far more than just a mortal man he’s a living legend the Library of
he’s a living legend the Library of
he’s a living legend the Library of Congress even said so David Copperfield
Congress even said so David Copperfield
Congress even said so David Copperfield became the youngest person to join the
became the youngest person to join the
became the youngest person to join the Society of American Magicians at age 12
Society of American Magicians at age 12
Society of American Magicians at age 12 was teaching magic at New York
was teaching magic at New York
was teaching magic at New York University by the age of 16 and was
University by the age of 16 and was
University by the age of 16 and was headlining shows in Hawaii just a few
headlining shows in Hawaii just a few
headlining shows in Hawaii just a few years later
years later
years later [Music]
[Music]
[Music] in perhaps his most famous act the New
in perhaps his most famous act the New
in perhaps his most famous act the New Jersey native made the Statue of Liberty
Jersey native made the Statue of Liberty
Jersey native made the Statue of Liberty disappear in front of an astonished Big
disappear in front of an astonished Big
disappear in front of an astonished Big Apple crowd
Apple crowd
Apple crowd [Music]
with a deep desire to move people with
with a deep desire to move people with his magic figuratively speaking
his magic figuratively speaking
his magic figuratively speaking David Copperfield shows no signs of
David Copperfield shows no signs of
David Copperfield shows no signs of slowing down and remains the
slowing down and remains the
slowing down and remains the highest-grossing solo entertainer of all
highest-grossing solo entertainer of all
highest-grossing solo entertainer of all time
time
time [Applause]
before our top pick appears out of
before our top pick appears out of nowhere here are a few honorable
nowhere here are a few honorable
nowhere here are a few honorable mentions ladies and gentlemen please
mentions ladies and gentlemen please
mentions ladies and gentlemen please notice this my last two shots have
notice this my last two shots have
notice this my last two shots have landed in exactly the same slit in the
landed in exactly the same slit in the
landed in exactly the same slit in the watermelon a feat so impressive I am
watermelon a feat so impressive I am
watermelon a feat so impressive I am forced to mention it myself
forced to mention it myself
forced to mention it myself [Laughter]
[Laughter]
[Laughter] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
Valentino The Masked Magician before I
Valentino The Masked Magician before I go I’d like to leave you with this
go I’d like to leave you with this
go I’d like to leave you with this thought it is my belief that the art of
thought it is my belief that the art of
thought it is my belief that the art of magic is for everyone
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] number one Harry Houdini he would escape
number one Harry Houdini he would escape
number one Harry Houdini he would escape he escaped from those complicated
he escaped from those complicated
he escaped from those complicated handcuffs in the world these were not
handcuffs in the world these were not
handcuffs in the world these were not ordinary police cuffs and double triple
ordinary police cuffs and double triple
ordinary police cuffs and double triple boxes
boxes
boxes we began with Quebec day and end with
we began with Quebec day and end with
we began with Quebec day and end with the man he inspired the master of magic
the man he inspired the master of magic
the man he inspired the master of magic Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini after little success with card tricks
after little success with card tricks
after little success with card tricks early in his career Harry Houdini toured
early in his career Harry Houdini toured
early in his career Harry Houdini toured Europe as the handcuff King during his
Europe as the handcuff King during his
Europe as the handcuff King during his 20s before bringing it all back to his
20s before bringing it all back to his
20s before bringing it all back to his adopted home of America somehow he gets
adopted home of America somehow he gets
adopted home of America somehow he gets out of the jail cell then he takes every
out of the jail cell then he takes every
out of the jail cell then he takes every prisoner out of every other jail cell
prisoner out of every other jail cell
prisoner out of every other jail cell and puts them all in different jail
and puts them all in different jail
and puts them all in different jail cells and recovers his clothes from yet
cells and recovers his clothes from yet
cells and recovers his clothes from yet another jail cell and makes it out of
another jail cell and makes it out of
another jail cell and makes it out of the cellblock and out of the prison with
the cellblock and out of the prison with
the cellblock and out of the prison with an ability to escape from anything
an ability to escape from anything
an ability to escape from anything Houdini introduced his most famous stunt
Houdini introduced his most famous stunt
Houdini introduced his most famous stunt the Chinese water torture cell in 1913
the Chinese water torture cell in 1913
the Chinese water torture cell in 1913 the torture cell was a murder device you
the torture cell was a murder device you
the torture cell was a murder device you know I mean it’s like who would come out
know I mean it’s like who would come out
know I mean it’s like who would come out of that alive so it’s more than just
of that alive so it’s more than just
of that alive so it’s more than just torture its execution as stars flocked
torture its execution as stars flocked
torture its execution as stars flocked to Hollywood for a chance at stardom
to Hollywood for a chance at stardom
to Hollywood for a chance at stardom Houdini already had them beat and
Houdini already had them beat and
Houdini already had them beat and naturally became an American icon and
naturally became an American icon and
naturally became an American icon and undoubtedly the greatest magician of all
undoubtedly the greatest magician of all
undoubtedly the greatest magician of all time
time
time [Music]
[Music]
[Music] do you agree with our list who’s your
do you agree with our list who’s your
do you agree with our list who’s your favorite magician for more mind-blowing
favorite magician for more mind-blowing
favorite magician for more mind-blowing top 10s published every day be sure to
top 10s published every day be sure to
top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
subscribe to watchmojo.com
subscribe to watchmojo.com [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment