Wild Magic Trivia Quiz

Answer: David Blaine

While all these options are real magicians, it is David Blaine who became famous performing street magic, up close and personal. He would use no costumes, no special effects and would stand right in front or to the side of the people who were watching.

After achieving fame he went on to amazing feats of endurance such as being encased in block of ice for over 63 hours and breaking the then world record for holding ones breath underwater without the aid of breathing 100% pure oxygen beforehand. It should be noted that David Blaine has hurt himself or required hospitalization on more than one occasion after performing his magical stunts.

Answer: David Copperfield

David Copperfield is a master illusionist and quite possibly the most monetarily successful magician in history. Some of his famous illusions include walking through the Great Wall of China and levitating over the Grand Canyon as well as making the Statue of Liberty disappear.

He was the first living magician to receive a star on The Walk of Fame. He has won over twenty Emmy Awards and been the recipient of a Living Legend Award from the Library of Congress. He is also the owner of the worlds largest collection of magic artifacts.

Answer: Dorothy Dietrich

Dietrich has often been called the first lady of magic for her prominence and daring in this field. She has performed many of Houdini's tricks, including escaping from a straight-jacket while suspended 100's of feet in the air. Dietrich is also well-known as a debunker, specializing in debunking psychics who claim to talk to dead relatives of their clients.

She performs regularly at the Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Answer: Criss Angel

Criss Angel is one of the most successful magicians of the early 21st century. On his televised specials, he has been seen levitating above the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, has been run over by a steam roller, and one time he appeared to cut himself in half.

Answer: The Amazing Randi

The Amazing Randi is one of the best known debunkers of pseudo-scientific claims. One of his most famous stunts was the bending of spoons by stroking the utensil. This was a feat, performed to great acclaim, by self-proclaimed psychic Uri Geller who claimed paranormal skills were needed for the trick.

In 1956, Randi was submerged in a hotel swimming pool while sealed in a metal coffin, and emerged alive after 104 minutes. This feat broke Houdini's record of 93 minutes.

Answer: Lance Burton

As well as being the first American to win the grand prize at the world's most prestigious magic competition, Lance Burton, at the age of 22, became the youngest person to do so. In 1984, Burton was offered a 13-year contract with the Monte Carlo Resort in Las Vegas. At that time, it was the longest contract ever offered to any entertainer, in any field, by any venue, in Las Vegas.

Answer: Sleight of Hand

Slydini specialized in close up artistry and sleight of hand. His skill at using misdirection and psychology led him to be recognized by his peers and the public as one of the best in the field. One of the most unique aspects of Slydini's shows was that they were impromptu, there was no planned sequence of tricks.

Instead, Slydini allowed the live audience and the unique situations that occurred to dictate his magic. No two shows were ever alike.

Answer: Houdini

Dai Vernon was often billed as "The Man Who Fooled Houdini". This came about after the two met and Houdini challenged him with an old claim that he could figure out any card trick if he saw someone perform it three times in a row. Dai Vernon proceeded to perform a card trick over seven times without Houdini being able to figure out how he did it.

This Canadian magician is acknowledged as one of the most knowledgeable sleight of hand artists that ever lived and spent his later life teaching a new generation of magicians.

Answer: Being buried alive

Joe Burrus was a big Houdini fan. This San Fransisco escape artist died during an ill advised attempt to emulate Houdini's being buried alive trick. He was placed in a Plexiglas coffin after being bound in chains and handcuffs. He then had the coffin covered with more than 9 tons of dirt and cement.

The Plexiglas coffin shattered almost immediately and the unfortunate magician was crushed to death. It should be mentioned that while practicing the stunt, he had stood on the coffin used and it broke.

He then glued it back together with superglue and proceeded to use it in his stunt. As was said in the question, not everyone should be a magician.

Answer: Sue-Anne Webster

Sue-Ann Webster is a multi-talented performer especially skilled in close up sleight of hand. She is also a writer, producer and publisher. She has written many books on magic and was elected President of the Australian Institute of Magic". Her noticeable resemblance to Barbara Eden and her skill at mimicking the Jeannie role have also brought her popularity.