James "The Amazing" Randi puts the fear of god into psychics, mediums an...

Randi with Springfield Skeptics and Freethinkers (Photo credit: Wally Hartshorn)

A personal hero of mine, and the man who got me into skeptical inquiry, James Randi speaks to the soaked yet enthusiastic crowd at the Reason Rally after being introduced by Michael Shermer.

James Randi is a former stage magician who later turned his efforts towards debunking psychics, mediums, dowsers and other shysters who were bilking people out of their hard-earned money using stage tricks that he himself had used. He also has a kick-ass beard.

Today, Randi is head of the James Randi Educational Foundation, which offers a $1 million dollar prize to anyone who can demonstrate supernatural, paranormal or occult phenomena under scientific testing conditions. Though many have tried, no one has yet claimed the prize.

Related articles

• James Randi Returns to the Magic Castle (randi.org)
• An Honest Liar - The Story of James "The Amazing One" Randi (skepticalteacher.wordpress.com)