The 7 Best Magicians Who’ve Performed in San Francisco
San Francisco's rich cultural heritage extends to the world of magic, having been visited by some of the most renowned magicians in history. These illusionists, mentalists, and escape artists have left an indelible mark on the city and inspired countless aspiring magicians, including San Francisco's very own "Best Magician," Robert Strong. In this blog post, we'll explore the seven most incredible magicians who have captivated audiences in the City by the Bay.
1. Harry Houdini (1874-1926)
Harry Houdini (1874-1926) A household name in the world of magic, Harry Houdini rose to fame in the early 1900s with his death-defying escape acts and mind-boggling illusions. The Hungarian-born magician performed numerous times in San Francisco, including a memorable show at the Orpheum Theatre in 1899. Houdini's legacy continues to inspire magicians worldwide, including Robert Strong, who discovered his familial connection to Houdini's protégé in 2015. To commemorate this magical lineage, Strong produced the sold-out "Official Houdini Seance" at the Brava Theater, where Houdini himself had performed eight decades earlier.
Robert Strong in a straight jacket in San Francisco during The Official Houdini Seance.
This was the amazing line-up:
Welcome – Robert Strong, MC/Emcee
Background – John Cox, Houdini Historian
Earnest Séance – Terrie Huberman
Doubt – Michael Shermer, Skeptics Society Founder
Magic – Justin Willman, Magician
More Doubt – Jamy Ian Swiss, Magician/Skeptic
Magical Séance – Paul Draper, Mentalist
Enjoy watching the full magic show produced by Robert Strong in San Francisco.
Here’s a photo of Robert Strong getting autographs from David Copperfield in 1985.
2. David Copperfield (1956-present)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest magicians of all time, David Copperfield has been mesmerizing audiences for over four decades. His performances in San Francisco, including a notable run at the Orpheum Theatre in 1985, have showcased his grand illusions, such as making the Statue of Liberty vanish and walking through the Great Wall of China. Copperfield's magic has earned him 21 Emmy Awards and continues to captivate audiences at his Las Vegas theater. Robert Strong, inspired by Copperfield at the tender age of 12, has had the privilege of meeting his idol several times over the years.
3. Penn & Teller (1974-present)
The dynamic duo of Penn & Teller has been entertaining audiences with their unique blend of magic, humor, and skepticism for over 40 years. Their performances in San Francisco, at venues like the Warfield Theatre and the Curran Theatre, have showcased their signature style. The pair also hosts the TV show "Penn & Teller: Fool Us," where they invite magicians from around the globe to attempt to outwit them. Robert Strong had the honor of appearing on their show, earning praise from Penn, who described Strong as "really good, really pleasant, and really sweet."
4. Harry Blackstone, Jr. (1934–1997)
Following in the footsteps of his renowned father, Harry Blackstone, Jr. became a celebrated magician known for his elaborate stage productions and classic illusions. His charisma and showmanship earned him acclaim as one of the greatest magicians of the 20th century. Blackstone, Jr. performed in San Francisco and shared his love for magic through television specials and appearances. Robert Strong was selected as one of Blackstone's touring magicians for Nabisco's "Unlock the Magic" campaign, which took him to over 84 cities. Robert was selected to be one of Blackstone’s touring magicians for Nabisco’s Unlock the Magic, which took him to over 84 different cities.
Magician Harry Blackstone Jr. performing in San Francisco.
Young Robert Strong pictured with Oreo mascott before becoming a San Francisco Magician.
Robert pictured with Harry Blackstone Jr. before moving to San Francisco.
Robert’s thank you letter for participating in the campaign from Harry Blackstone Jr.
5. The Amazing Johnathan (1958-2022)
Known for his outrageous humor and unpredictable style, The Amazing Johnathan (John Edward Szeles) began his career performing street magic in San Francisco in the 1980s. His edgy performances earned him appearances on numerous TV shows, including "Late Night with David Letterman" and "Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular." Though Johnathan passed away in 2022, his legacy lives on through the countless magicians he inspired, including Robert Strong, who had the pleasure of sharing a meal with him in Los Angeles.
6. Shin Lim (1991-present)
Canadian-American magician Shin Lim has taken the magic world by storm with his incredible card manipulation skills and stunning visual illusions. His appearances on "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" and "America's Got Talent," where he won the grand prize in 2018, catapulted him to international stardom. Lim has headlined his own show in Las Vegas and performed sold-out shows in San Francisco, including at the Golden Gate Theatre. Robert Strong had the privilege of entertaining Lim at a magic show at the Lodge Theater at The Regency in San Francisco.
Robert Strong and the Amazing Randi together.
Robert Strong performing chemistry magic at Stanford.
An article by Stanford on Robert Strong leading the Chemistry Unleashed seminar.
Stanford Students learning magic from Robert Strong.
7. James Randi (1928-2020)
James Randi, also known as "The Amazing Randi," was a Canadian-American magician and skeptic who dedicated his life to debunking fraudulent claims of the paranormal and pseudoscience. Randi's sharp wit and commitment to truth made him a beloved figure in the magic community. He performed at numerous magic conventions and shows in San Francisco and founded the James Randi Educational Foundation to promote critical thinking and scientific skepticism. Robert Strong, inspired by Randi, now gives talks on the Neuroscience of Magic and the Neurochemistry of Awe at Stanford University.
Honorable mention goes to David Blaine and Criss Angel. Both have performed magic shows in San Francisco and both went to magic camp with Robert Strong when they were much younger. Another (failed) magician who attended magic camp with Robert Strong is Academy Award winner of Best Actor Adrian Brody. It was a great time and place to learn magic!
These seven magicians are some of the greatest performers to ever appear on San Francisco's stages. From small close-up magic shows to big illusions, they have left audiences amazed with their incredible magic tricks and showmanship. As the Bay Area continues to be a great place for world-class magic, these performers will definitely inspire many young magicians to follow in their footsteps and keep pushing the limits of what's possible with magic.