Magician and skeptic James Randi has died aged 92, passing away from “age-related causes”.
The Canadian magic star is said to have died on Tuesday, October 20, with The James Randi Educational Foundation confirming his death.
A statement shared on the foundation’s website read: “We are very sad to say that James Randi passed away yesterday, due to age-related causes.
“He had an Amazing life. We will miss him.”
Referring to Randi’s husband of seven years, the statement continued: “Please respect Deyvi Peña’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Born in Toronto, Randi dedicated his life to exposing faith healers and mind readers, debunking their magic myths.
(Image: Getty Images)
A talented performer, Randi didn’t let his own love of magic stop him from challenging con men in the industry, who he believed were out to make a quick buck by taking advantage of gullible fans.
Dropping out of school at the age of 17 to become a conjurer for a magic roadshow, Randi went on to become a mentalist in Montreal night clubs.
In the mid-40s, he established himself as a stage magician and an escapologist, originally going by his real name – Randall Zwinge.
Hailing from Toronto, Randi was born as Randall James Hamilton Zwinge (Image: Getty Images)
Later, he adopted the title The Amazing Randi, and made a variety of appearances on TV and radio with dazzling feats of magic and conjuring.
In later years of his career, he became a noted skeptic, priding himself on his transparency and challenging acts he felt were fraudulent in the industry.
Speaking about the motivation behind his agenda in the magic world, he opened up during a 2014 documentary An Honest Liar, directed by Tyler Measom and Justin Weinstein.
Randi is survived by his husband Deyvi Peña, whom he married in 2013 (Image: Getty Images)
He said: “People who are stealing money from the public, cheating them and misinforming them — that’s the kind of thing that I’ve been fighting all my life.
“Magicians are the most honest people in the world: They tell you they’re going to fool you, and then they do it.”
After spending many years living in New Jersey, Randi lived in Florida from the 80s onwards.
He is survived by his husband Deyvi Peña, sister Angela Easton, and brother, Paul Zwinge.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
