James Randi

Vocation

Traits

American professional skeptic, a well-known enemy of astrology and of anything in the metaphysical field. Randi built his reputation as a magician and escape artist and was at one time a frequent guest on "Wonderama," a kid’s show on morning TV. Over the years, Randi found more limelight in making a career of debunking all paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. In 1996, the James Randi Education Foundation was established to further his work. Randi's long-standing challenge to psychics as of 2000 is a million-dollar prize administered by the Foundation. It remains unclaimed, as those who have accepted the challenge find that the ground rules change inexplicably when their treatise is submitted. His books include "The Truth About Uri Geller," "The Faith Healers, Flim-Flam!" and "An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural." His lectures and television appearances have delighted - and vexed - audiences around the world and have garnered awards from those who agree with his premise. Short, bald and while-haired, Randi, a bachelor, raised one foster son, Alexis (born 1960) from the age of 13. His IQ was tested at 168 when he was age 12. Link to Wikipedia biography