Is mind reading even possible?
Well, according to scientific research, we are all capable of being mind readers. Although not everyone has a natural ability to read minds, it is a skill that can be honed.
Stage mind readers are talented and trained individuals that use techniques to manipulate and convince us that they can read minds.
Here, we’ll be talking about 11 famous mind readers you should check out. Whether you’re looking to follow one of these mind readers or gain encouragement from them as an aspiring mind reader, this article is for you.
Be prepared to be mesmerized by the amazing skills and talents of world-renowned mind readers. Let’s begin!
1. Derren Brown
Derren Brown is a modern-day English mentalist, author, illusionist, and painter. He was first seen on television in 2000 for a television show called Mind Control.
In 2009, Brown was known for predicting the six lottery numbers on a television special called How to Win the Lottery. His famous television stunts include the Russian Roulette, The Heist, Apocalypse, and Here at 30,000 feet.
For over two decades, Derren Brown is still fascinating and entertaining his viewers with his bizarre and remarkable skills.
2. Kreskin
Kreskin used “The Amazing Kreskin” as his stage name. He is an American mentalist who gain popularity on television in the 1970s.
He was known for his predictions, mind reading, clairvoyance, and mind control. However, he never claimed to have psychic powers. He always refers to himself as an “entertainer”.
His famous trick was looking for his paycheck in the audience during his performances. He instructs the audience to help him hide the envelope with his paycheck. If he failed to find the envelope, he will not get paid for that performance.
3. Marc Salem
Marc Salem is a world-renowned mentalist, mind reader, and expert on nonverbal communication. In 2008, he was featured on 60 Minutes.
He is known for performing mind-blowing mind games worldwide. He gained the public’s attention when he predicted the death of Elvis Presley. One of his famous tricks includes floating on air while reading the mind of passersby.
He is the author of Discover the Secrets of Mind Games and Marc Salem’s Mind Games: Practical Step by Step Guide to Developing Your Mental Power.
4. Joseph Dunninger
Joseph used the stage name The Amazing Dunninger when he was performing. He was a well-known mind reader and mentalist.
He is among the first magicians to perform on radio and television in 1943. He gained popularity during the 1950s and has become a frequent TV guest in different TV shows.
Joseph debunked fraudulent mediums and psychics. He even wrote a book called Inside the Medium’s Cabinet where the tricks of mediums were revealed.
5. Craig Karges
Craig Karges is an award-winning illusionist and mentalist. His performances are blended with humor, mystery, and intuition.
He made over 5,000 appearances across the world. Walking and floating tables, reading the minds of audiences, bending metals, and many more stunts will make you question what is real and what is not.
Despite his mind-blowing performances, Craig Karges doesn’t claim that he has supernatural powers or that he prearrange his stunts with some audiences.
He even offers to donate $100,000 to charity if anyone can prove that he uses stooges to accomplish his stunts.
He was part of the top five entertainers by Performance Magazine. He also received The Mentalist Award during the Society of American Magicians Annual Convention for his outstanding contributions to the art of magic.
6. Banacheck
Steven Shaw or “Banacheck” is an English magician, mentalist, and mind-reader. At the age of nine, he was abandoned together with his two brothers. Since his name is not memorable enough, he decided to go by the stage name of Banacheck.
He started appearing in public when he was a teenager. He became part of James Randi’s Project Alpha experiment which used mentalism to expose parapsychology research.
His most memorable performance was the escape stunt he did on the television special The Search for Houdini where he was locked in a coffin, chained, handcuffed, and buried six feet underground and was still able to escape.
7. The Evasons
Jeff and Tesa or The Evasons are the world’s leading mentalist and mind-reading duo. They are a married couple who enjoy delivering laughter and powerful performances in special events.
Since 1983, they have already performed in 35 countries and made several television appearances. The duo has mastered the art of two-person telepathy.
Their performances are interactive and mind-blowing. Audiences can participate to achieve telepathy and Second Sight.
Because of their exceptional talent, they are the only mentalists to be featured in an NBA halftime show where they do mind-reading stunts in a crowd of more than 20,000 people.
They guarantee that they don’t use hidden devices in their performances. Otherwise, they will offer a $100,000 reward if proven.
8. Bob Cassidy
Bob Cassidy calls himself “Master Mindreader”. He was an American mentalist, magician, author, and speaker.
He is the founder of the Psychic Entertainers Association. Because of his strategies and routines that are still being used today, he became well-known in the field of mentalism.
He contributed a lot to the field of mentalism. He wrote four books on the principles of mentalism. He sold thousands of recordings and lecture notes about tips and tricks in creating a powerful performance.
9. Claude Alexander Conclin
Claude Alexander Conlin or best known as “Alexander, The Man Who Knows” is a psychic reader and mentalist.
He began performing from 1915 up to 1924. He was considered the highest-paid magician of his time. In his performances, he gives the audience sealed questions then he answers each one correctly.
At age 47, he stopped performing on stage but was still a part of the entertainment personalities in Southern California.
10. Max Maven
Max Maven is a world-renowned mind reader, mentalist, and magician. He practices cold reading skills and interactive mind reading. He is considered one of the most influential mentalists and magicians of all time.
He has an in-depth knowledge of magic history and the origin of various tricks and methods. He is also a successful author, teacher, composer, singer, chef, and pianist.
Although his name was legally changed to Max Maven, he still uses Phil Goldstein when writing.
11. Marc Paul
Marc Paul is an English psychological magician and mind-reader. His award-winning performances are recognized worldwide.
He started being interested in magic tricks when he was a child. He discovered the art of mentalism when he was just 12 years of age.
In 1999, he became well-known because of his very own TV show called Mind Games. Because of this show, Marc was awarded the “Best Mind-Reader” title in the World Magic Awards in Los Angeles.
He creates unique, interactive, and mind-blowing performances that never fail to amaze his audiences. Marc has an astounding mind-reading skill—he can tell you what his audiences think!
Conclusion
Mentalists and mind readers perform acts that may appear supernatural. But, most mentalists claim that they do not possess any psychic powers.
Mind readers are skilled individuals that undergo intensive training to master mind-reading abilities such as telepathy and nonverbal communication.