Top 10 Magicians of the 20th Century

The Top Ten
1 Dynamo

I think, he must be placed in the 1st rank among top 10 greatest magicians of the world ever.
He is marvellous, stunning and may he superhuman.
He is never over-confident and never show-offs.
Before magic, he doesn't says no one that, "Hey, I'm the cool Dynamo, look at me. I am gonna show you my trick." The only think he does is, he reaches a place and starts his magic tricks. Surrounding him, the people's eyes automatically get pointed at him. It start from 5 people and ends to 100s and 1000s. At last, without show-offing, he silently moves out of the place.
This attitude is classic and stunning, I must say.
This behaviour and all his impossible outstanding tricks will only help Dynamo to fetch the title, "Dynamo, the magic God! "

Dynamo has made buckets of fish come out of an empty bucket, walked down a building with no logical perceived attachments, turned flies out of dead fruit, butterflies out of wallpaper, hands through his chest. All while you look directly at it happening. If that isn't taking magic to the next level then this list is shambles.

2 Criss Angel

Criss Angel is truly the best magician I have ever seen. I first saw him on television back in 2005 - he was hanging from four fish hooks that were indulged in his skin - and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I remember him saying, "If you have a dream and your actions speak louder than words, then you will eventually realize your dream. Don't give up. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something". Those words were so powerful for me and they have stuck with me this entire time. I am an upcoming Pop singer and at one point I hit rock bottom - coming from a small town, I literally thought it was impossible to achieve my dream and was this close to giving up... Until I saw Criss on television. Criss, his magic, and his whole outlook on life taught me that absolutely nothing is impossible and that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. He's truly my biggest inspiration.

I received the opportunity to see Criss perform live on July 30, 2009. He was absolutely astounding. Every trick was spot on and made me wonder over and over again, "How the heck did he do that?! ". I have seen a lot of magicians perform on the street, on television, and on the stage, but I must say that Criss is by far the best illusionist I have ever seen. Not only is he an incredible illusionist, but he is also an incredible person. I was given the opportunity to meet Criss after the show on July 30, 2009. I was 14 years old at the time and I had made a DVD for Criss explaining how much he has inspired me. The DVD also reminded him of the journey he has been on. I worked for days creating this DVD for him, and I brought my portable DVD player backstage hoping he would watch it. I knew he was busy so I wasn't getting my hopes up. But, to my surprise, Criss was the sweetest guy and did not even hesitate to watch it. We watched it together backstage and the DVD brought tears to Criss' eyes. He ended up giving me his hat after our meeting as well as an autograph... more

3 David Copperfield David Seth Kotkin, known professionally as David Copperfield, is an American magician, described by Forbes as the most commercially successful magician in history.

David Copperfield teleported a person to Hawaii in one of his tricks. That might be an illusion, but it is that sense of amazingness and mystery that truly makes his tricks much more amazing. He doesn't go for small little tricks but he goes for the large and seemingly impossible ones such as making the Statue of Liberty vanish in front of hundreds of people.

David's illusions blow my mind every time! Not only that, he manages to make his illusions so much more special than, "Oh, look at me, I'm flying. " He's one of the few magicians and performers who take you on a journey and ENTERTAIN, rather than just leave you scratching your head.

There is no better performer and magician than Copperfield. He brought magic to the masses with his highly entertaining television specials. His constant pursuit of perfection makes him the best... Hands down. Just go back and watch his shows on YouTube... You will see what I mean.

4 Harry Houdini Harry Houdini was an American illusionist and stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape acts.

First of all criss angel cannot do half the suff you see him do on T.V. as well as David copperfield. David copperfield steals tricks and has private assistants in the audience. Harry houdini did everything without hiding anything. If it wasnt for him magic would never get this big.

Honestly, when I went to this list I thought Houdini would be #1. He should be: he pioneered magic tricks and is really the only magician everyone knows by name.

Pioneering magician. King of all magicians. Many other great performers on this list, but The great Houdini is unparalleled.

5 David Blaine David Blaine is an American magician, illusionist and endurance artist. He is best known for his high-profile feats of endurance, and has set and broken several world records. Blaine revolutionized the way magic is shown on television by focusing on spectator reactions.

He performs real street magic and does sleight of hand right along with the best of them. He takes his body to the limit. His tricks are more real than the masses getting continuously fooled by video/ editing so-called magic. He's right up there with David Copperfield, Houdini, Harry Blackstone, and Penn and Teller. He can manipulate cards as good as Daniel Madison, Juan Tamariz, and Richard Turner. He travels and searches for the secrets that makes him even better and more respected. He walks straight ahead fearless at every feat and accomplishes whatever it is he's out to accomplish. He's amazing and more people need to realize.

His simplicity and pureness of the way he perform magic is really what made him stand out to me. So far in my opinion he is by far the best close up magic performer in the world.

20th century is a bit tight, as he's done a lot in the 21st century, but no one is more brilliant in such a subtle way. His slow, methodical demeanor is so contrary to what normally is needed in magic, but he's so good, he manages to pull it off.

6 Herbert L. Becker

I remember years ago, Herbert (Kardeen) came to my classroom and did some magic for my students. I'm not sure why he was at the school (I think he had a sister who went there), but he was just going from class to class doing magic. The kids loved it. He was patient and kind and he was simply wonderful. Even close up, I couldn't figure out how he did what he did. It was amazing. Good memories of a great guy.

I remember Herbert when he was the Great Kardeen. He was young and talented and I loved his show. I wish he had a show near me, but I don't think he's performing much these days. It's sad, because there's a whole new generation that would enjoy this wonderful magician. I know my kids and grand kids would love it.

The best... Absolutely the best. Audiences are made to feel relaxed and comfortable while being kept mesmerized. I don't think he's had a show in years, but I recently bumped into him in an Orlando restaurant. He was gracious and humble. One of the true greats!

7 Penn & Teller

Teller is the best sleight of hand and most ingenious magician in the world, Just watch the shadows trick it is poetry in motion. Penn too is a genius when it comes to audience manipulation. Together the two are the best, most creative magic act said going right now. They were the first serious act in Vegas enough said.

They're not just magicians, they are geniuses. They can explain the trick word for word and still have you confused, possibly even more than before. A slight of hand master and a misdirection king? What else is there to say. Peanut butter and Jelly, Batman and Robin, Wingrove and Lynch, Penn and Teller. Magic at its finest.

Teller is an absolute intellect when it comes to deception of any sort, and Penn is one of the best showmen in magic. They wouldn't have been so successful for so long unless they really had something special - which they clearly do.

8 Lance Burton

If 20 top magicians were all given a ball a cup a book of maches a dack a spoon and 5 other random objects and instructed to prepare an act and given 15 min. To do so lance would win hands down.

Great show and great person as well as an astounding magician.

Lakechopblock1

9 Iaron Korn

He does something with ducks to. But I know he doesn't kill them. He has very good scenic talent.

He does does that ting were he moves that thing and then the thing changes into that other thing.

The one who levitates a table. Greatest magician of all time.

10 Dai Vernon

Greatest and most influential magician of all time! I can almost guarantee that every other magician on this list has at some point used a move or technique invented by Dai Vernon. This was a guy who dedicated his entire life to magic. Amazing man.

The greatest close up magician of all time. You have to see his cups and balls routine. He is an absolute genius in magic. Best linking ring routine I've ever seen. Legend.

Most influential magician of the last century bar none. Inspired all of the magicians above him on the list.

The Contenders
11 Shawn Farquhar

He lives and breathes magic. As good performing for 3 as 3000 - an incredible ambassador for the art with continuing appearances around the world. Not to mentioned multiple World Championships and fooling P&T twice.

Energy, humor, skill, passion for his craft, Shawn has it all. A first class guy, doing unbelievably amazing magic.

I met him. Absolutely amazing. Great person and magician, I actually added him to this list in the first place!

12 Doug Henning

Doug didn't use any camera tricks. He refused to do the statue of liberty vanish because once you use camera tricks the T.V. magic would be over. David Copperfield did it and soon T.V. magic was over. Now Criss Angel uses camera tricks all the time and it sucks. The fact that he is #1 proves that there are no magicians voting and the list is BS.

Pant ages in la and we saw him make an elephant vanish.. But the Best illusion ignite evening was his at the edge of the stage, card tricks with sleeveless shirt and no props.. Amazing!

Watched him all the time on T.V. and was able to catch one performance in Tahoe. Incredible. Miss him!

13 Shin Lim

He does his magic along the music. It's actually really beautiful.

14 Gopinath Muthukad
15 Howard Thurston
16 Ricky Jay
17 Harry August Jansen
18 Jeff McBride

Jeff is the finest card manipulator that has ever lived. Pure skill. Unforgettable talent.

Been a staple magic man for 30 years.

19 Rune Klan

The best magician I even seen. Fantastic with coins and cards!

20 Graeme Shaw

Awesome magician impresses me every time.

21 Cyril Takayama

Cyril Takayama is a wonderful close-up artist. He does new things and has amazing skills.

22 Cosentino

This guy should be known all over the globe. He's a mix between Criss Angel and Michael Jackson.

23 Siegfried And Roy

I always thought they were amazing.

24 P. C. Sorcar, Jr.

Best Magician in India all time
Sorcar's signature trick is the use of light refraction to convey the impression that large scale objects have vanished. Past performances have included the "disappearance" of the Taj Mahal and the Indore �" Amritsar Express.

On 8 November 2000, Sorcar "vanished" the Taj Mahal for two minutes in Kachhpura in Agra. He also made the Victoria Memorial disappear on the 300th anniversary of Calcutta, and vanished a train full of passengers vanish before a large crowd at Bardhaman Junction, West Bengal, India in 1992.

One of the best magicians ever.He can bring an elephant in the hall all of a sudden and do other such insane magics. Water of India is another such masterpiece.

One of world's best magicians ever.

25 Juan Tamariz

He should move up a few positions... He created the famous Mnemonic stack, used by a plethora of magicians and can manipulate cards with the best of them. Very interesting and by far an underrated magician.

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