I am still relatively new to the forum so forgive me if this has already been asked a million times but I am doing some more research and am trying to make a list of the world's top magicians.

This could be any and all genres and sub-genres of magic so don't feel like you have to limit it to just stage, mentalism, etc. My only request would be that they are actively performing now somewhere in the world.

So, who are they? Who are the best magicians in the world?

This would differ from person to person because everyone has their own opinion. Some people like Criss Angel, I for one don't!

Also depends on what section your looking at..

Street- (some ppl say) Criss Angel, Cyril, Blaine
Stage- Majestix, Kevin James, Copperfield, Frewin, Sperry, Losander.

ect.

Add Marco Tempest on that street list

Do you want the "best" or the "most active"? Or maybe the biggest money-makers? Or the most popular? And in which country? I'm afraid your question is a little too vague to receive a definitive answer.

Understood Randwill. I agree it is a broad question and I think all of the above applies. To try and narrow it down a bit I think 'best', 'popular', and 'most active' could all apply. I realize this may not help you make your own decisions.

As is, broad answers are totally OK in what I am looking for.

Thanks in advance!

If you could be more clear on your criteria. How about long-running shows in one venue?

John Hirokawa has one of the longest running shows in the world, "Magic of Polynesia" in Hawaii. http://www.magicofpolynesia.com/john-hirokawa.php

Lance Burton, Penn and Teller, Siegfried and Roy, Mac King, all have long-running shows.

Probably all of them would have a name or two of a living magician WITHOUT a regular show who inspires them and their work, one who THEY might put in the top ten. They might mention Paul Harris, Eugene Burger, Banachek, Max Maven and many others...

Brian,

I hear you. I guess the most clear thing I could say would be, actively doing magic and most amazing. Beyond that, I'll leave it up to everyone here at the forum.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

-brainchild

I'd like to think we're all here to help. Wow- this is a tough one. It is virtually (if not absolutely) impossible to give a definitive answer. After all, if the category is ALL magicians, it is the equivalent of asking who's the best of all MUSICIANS (even sounds alike.) Is Itzhak Perlman greater than Eric Clapton? Who's tops- Herbie Hancock, Tony Bennett, Jeff Beck, Wynton Marsalis, Prince, Bob Dylan, Placido Domingo, B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards...? Where does one start, and where does one end? Even if this were to be approached categorically, so as to limit the choices, there are still the questions of being the "magician's" magician as opposed to the biggest box office draw; talent as opposed to fame, technique vs. performance. Steve Vai is undoubtably a better guitarist than Bruce Springsteen, but I'd rather go to a Springsteen concert than a Vai performance any day of the week. So ultimately, what makes this impossible to answer is the subjective nature of art.

Recently, a very talented magician for whom I have the utmost respect told me it was his belief that Tim Conover was the best "all-around" magician he'd ever seen. Cards, coins, mentalism- across the board. I am sure there are those who would dispute that, but the fact is, here is an established member of the magic community (my friend), who has seen and worked with all the greats over the past 30 years, telling me about someone whom HE feels is #1, and it's someone most of America (including some magicians, no doubt) have ever heard of.

Personally, I grew up idolizing Doug Henning and the Great Ballantine. Wish I had an answer for this one.

I am the best! and if you don't believe me, prove it otherwise.

Thanks Gabelson. Let me break it down by category.

Favorite Active Stage Magician
Favorite Active Mentalist
Favorite Active Street Magician

Anything I'm leaving out?

Again, impossible to answer definitively. Personal favorites:

Stage magicians: Copperfield, Lance Burton, The Amazing Jonathan, Mac King, Penn and Teller, Ricky Jay, Losander (Andy Nyman- only because he's such a dynamic stage performer and wonderful actor... the same could be said of Docc Hilford)

Mentalist: Derren Brown, Gerry McCambridge, Banachek, Rick Maue, Steve Cohen, Jon Stetson, Larry Becker

Street Magician: Cyril, David Blaine

Of course, to truly cover the bases, other areas would have to be included, like close-up magic, and within that venue, cards, coins, etc. For example: All-around close-up: Bill Malone, as I find him the most entertaining. Cards: Daryl. Coins: David Roth.

There are countless others I'm forgetting who are equally or more deserving of these lists. And again, all subjective.

Thanks Gabelson. This is very helpful.

Do you really believe that Cyril and Blaine are out there, actively performing on the strets, day after day? I think the only time those guys are doing that is when they are shooting footage for television. Which wouldn't make them very active at all compared to real street performers.

Why the attitude, Randwill? I qualified my personal choices by saying specifically, that there were "countless others" who were "equally or more deserving" of being on the list. Blaine and Cyril made their mark as street magicians, and are still perceived as such. I personally witnessed Blaine on the streets, early in his career, and he was great. Instead of going on the attack, why not just list YOUR favorite street magicians?

No attitude at all. I just believe that people like Gazzo, Sonny Holiday and Jim Cellini are the real and active street magicians. Blaine and Cyril are television performers.

Fair enough. Three greats. Sonny can pull off sleights like nobody's business.

This is all great information. Thank you.

Also Randwill, I understand your logic as far as active street magicians but for my research, Cyril and Blaine should be considered so. In the minds of the non-magician, they are as active as any.

For all around skills, stage illusions and close up miracles, sleights and (if you've seen his latest show...Magic on the Edge...mentalism), I give you......Jeff McBride.
Kenno

For me, it would go: Copperfield, Gary Kurtz, David Blaine.

Perhaps there are indeed more untouched categories - eg, close-up performers who don't necessarily perform on the streets, such as Eugene Burger or David Roth.