When you go to a magic show in Las Vegas, the City of Illusions, you’re likely to encounter some of the best magicians in the world. Not only is this city home to famous illusionists, mentalists, and comic magicians, but it’s also the host to several magic conventions.
Some people consider a magician to be a strange career choice, although we encountered several even more bizarre options in our previously published article, the 9 weirdest jobs in the world. But even such odd jobs have their masters, as is the case with magic entertainers. While some left their mark in the magic world as mind-blowing mentalists, others mastered the art of pick-pocketing. Some became famous by building on their theatrics, and others paired up to create a double-action show.
Today, the array of magicians has increased significantly, but while some of the names on this list might be familiar from TV shows, there are several world class tricksters that shy away from the limelight. So, from Guinness World Records, to mind games and metal chains, let’s talk about the best magicians in the world.
10. Dynamo
Born in Bradford, England, this talented 31-year-old gained his fame by enacting close-up magic tricks to audiences on the streets over a decade ago. Today, he’s a well-known television personality through his show “Dynamo: Magician Impossible”, where he performs stunts featuring celebrities like Will Smith, Travis Barker, and Samuel L. Jackson. His most legendary illusion so far: he walked on water to cross the River Thames in London and filmed it as promotional material for his show.
Click the magical “next” button to take you to the next page and the next magician in our countdown of the ten best magicians in the world; we promise not to turn you into a frog if you do.
9. Dante
Harry August Jensen, better known as Dante, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1883 and grew up to be one of the greatest magicians of the 20th century. Not only did he lay the groundwork for future colleagues with his trademark fantasy phrase “sim sala bim”, which he used in each performance, but Dante was also one of the first illusionists to travel with an entourage of over 20 artists. He died in 1995 in Northridge, California.
8. The Pendragons
This magic duo is actually a romantic pairing, as Jonathan and Charlotte met in college and got married shortly after graduating. Both of them were well-trained gymnasts (Jonathan even worked as John Belushi’s double in several movies and developed a friendship with the actor), which allowed them to engage in “physical grand illusion”. With unseen tricks like Interlude, where Charlotte crawled through Jonathan’s chest, the couple managed to gain fame and break the world record as “Fastest Transformation Illusion”. Charlotte was also the first woman to earn the award for “Magician of the Year” from the Academy of Magical Arts (the famous Magic Castle).
7. Penn & Teller
Known as one of the most comical and flamboyant magical pairings in Las Vegas, Penn Fraser Jillette and Raymond Joseph Teller have been working the crowds for over twenty years. Unlike their industry competitors, these two have built their illusions around a comedy act. Their Showtime series “Bullshit!” also bridges the gap between science and magic, looking for rational explanations to seemingly paranormal events.
6. Apollo Robbins
A master of deception, and the “best-kept secret in town”, Robbins is not big on TV appearances and ad campaigns. However, his pick-pocketing skills outshine his competitors so much that he’s known as a legend in magic circles. He’s the only magician that managed to wipe out the pockets of Jimmy Carter’s secret service during a dinner in 2001, but escaped trouble by handing back the belongings. So hold on to that wallet if you’re ever around this quick-handed illusionist.
5. “Magic Babe” Ning
South East Asia’s first professional female magician and David Copperfield admirer extraordinaire, this 32 year old Singaporean beauty is one enticing magician. Ning Cai, or Magic Babe, performs together with J C Sum in an illusion show throughout Asia, where she cunningly escapes from handcuffs, shackles, locks and chains in under 90 seconds. The Asian magic team also set a new world record by performing 15 grand illusions in only five minutes. Now that requires some serious skill!
4. David Blaine
As one of the most famous magicians in the world, this Brooklyn boy launched his career at 21 after sending a performance tape to the show “ABC”. From that moment on, his fan base grew exponentially through the shows “David Blaine: Magic Man” and “David Blaine: Street Magic”. Over the past decade he’s dedicated his talents to creating world famous stunts like Frozen in Time, where he was submerged in a block of ice for 3 days. Above the below, where he survived 44 days suspended in a glass box above the River Thames received international TV coverage.
3. Criss Angel
Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos, better known as Criss Angel, is one of the most spectacular magicians on the planet. Admired by many older colleagues, Criss launched his career after college and reached worldwide fame with his show “Criss Angel: Mind Freak”. He’s been known to float between buildings, cut himself in half in full view of the audience, and make cars disappear. The Magic Castle Hollywood also crowned him magician of the year three times, legitimizing his status as a young magic-infused rock-and-roller.
2. Harry Houdini
Let me just clarify first that the only reason Houdini isn’t wearing the crown is because he died in 1926 and I decided that a living magician should hold the title. However, this escape-artist from Hungary set the bar for magicians around the world in the 20th century, and his frequent use of locks, ropes, and shackles earned him the title of “Handcuff King”. With no TV ads to gain fame, Houdini travelled from town to town, asking the jails to hold him prisoner so he could demonstrate his talent for escaping. His strategy worked, and today, extraordinary magic artists (like some of the ones we have mentioned) are coined as “modern day Houdini’s”.
1. David Copperfield
So finally, the world’s best and most recognized magician is David Seth Kotkin from Metuchen, New Jersey…better known as David Copperfield. Not only is he the most famous TV personality of the bunch, but he also commenced his trajectory in the magic world at the very young age of 12, when he entered the society of American magicians. Today, his tricks – like making the Statue of Liberty disappear or walking through the Great Wall of China – have earned him superstar status, 21 Emmy Awards, and the title of “magician of the millennium”.
