Top Ten Magicians of All Time
Looking back on 50 years of his "It's Magic" theater show, Milt Larsen, the founder of the The Magic Castle, named the greatest magicians of all time.
1. Harry Houdini
2. Dante
3. Harry Blackstone Sr.
4. Doug Henning
5. Richiardi
6. Tihany
7. Mark Wilson
8. Siegfried and Roy
9. Lance Burton
10. Dai Vernon
Looking at the list...what? No David Copperfield?
Assuming that Larsen was focusing on twentieth century magicians, this removes Robert-Houdin, Alexander Herrmann and other notables. If the list were expanded, it would be interesting to see where Thurston, Devant, Cardini, Slydini, Blackstone Jr., Shimada, Paul Daniels, Ricky Jay and others might rank.
To read Larsen's brief comments on his choices, click here for the full article.
Related Reading:
Famous Magicians
Review: The Magic Castle
Milt and Bill Larsen Honored with Hollywood Star
Comments
what about CRISS ANGEL!??!?!?
omg…he needs to be in the top 10
his amazing…and the things he does no one trys!
what about david coperfield
who r u and who appointed you to rank top ten magicians of all time, man ur delusional,
Are you people crazy where is Criss Angel!!!!! He has been magician of the year before! He does the most amazing things on his show I don’t see how you couldn’t put him on the list.
I am disturbed by the lack of Paul Daniels on this list. Unless Master Larsen was only listing American Magicians, then it makes sense. Paul Daniels had a weekly TV magic series on BBC that ran for over 15 SEASONS! If that isn’t worthy of a top slot, nothing is.
That is bull crap Criss Angel is better than Houdini! He walks on water, goes through glass, , walks down 51 story’s, and in broad day light surrounded by civilians, like no other magician does.
The MAGIC CASTLE made this list? How could they have been so naive? HOUDINI WAS #1? They of all organizations should know that HOUDINI WAS NOT A MAGICIAN. He did a couple small tricks early on in his career but nobody showed any interest. He became the greatest ESCAPE ARTIST of all time. He did absolutely NO MAGIC in his career. I’m sort of disappointed Michael Ammar and Max Maven aren’t on this list. But for everybody else, Criss Angel doesn’t belong on here at ALL. He relies on camera tricks to pull of his “miracles”. Ask any magician, he’s a discrace to the TRUE magic community.
I think Houdini is the number 1 magician of all time too and don’t think Criss Angel or David Blane should be on the list. Houdini did stuff that involved real talent and it didn’t have to do with actual magic, it was technique that he perfected throughout his life, while the others relied on tricks or illusion or camera work. Houdini truly mastered escapes and nobody can do some of the stuff he did, although some of his techniques have been duplicated, most haven’t and like I said, it wasn’t a trick, it was years of practice and technique.
Why criss angle. in the last newsletter we were to he was exposing magic secrets ala the masked magician.
Uh guys.
Did anybody else notice we a commenting on a three year old article.
A little late, dont you think?
What about Cyril. He should definitely be there.
Criss Angel does not deserve to be on this list or any other.
His ego is getting out of control!
I heard him being announced as “The greatest magician who ever lived”!
I don’t think so, the boy needs some acting lessons & an ass whipping to set him straight.
criss angle deserves to be in the list of top magicians!!!!!!!!!
he is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!