What Is The Amazing Randi's Real Name? The Story Behind the Name He/Him
The Amazing Randi → Randall James Hamilton Zwinge
The Amazing Randi's real name is Randall James Hamilton Zwinge.
- Known as
- The Amazing Randi
- Real name
- Randall James Hamilton Zwinge
- Category
- Magicians
The Amazing Randi, also known as James Randi, was born Randall James Hamilton Zwinge (1928–2020). He was a Canadian-American stage magician who became one of the best-known investigators of paranormal claims.
How they got the name
He started out as a stage magician under the name "The Amazing Randi," taken from his first name, Randall, and later went by James Randi. He retired from performing magic at 60 to spend his time investigating paranormal, occult and supernatural claims. (Wikipedia: James Randi)
Amazing facts
- He co-founded the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and founded the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). (Wikipedia: James Randi)
- His foundation ran the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge, offering $1 million to anyone who could show evidence of paranormal ability under agreed test conditions. (Wikipedia: James Randi)
- He famously exposed faith healer Peter Popoff, and was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. (Wikipedia: James Randi)
- He didn't like being called a "debunker" and preferred the word "investigator." (Wikipedia: James Randi)
FAQ
What was The Amazing Randi's real name?
Randall James Hamilton Zwinge.
What was the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge?
A $1 million prize from his foundation for proof of paranormal ability under test conditions.
When did James Randi die?
October 20, 2020.