James Randi has spent decades investigating and exposing paranormal and pseudoscientific claims, particularly those made by faith healers and psychics. He has received many awards and honors for his work defending science and critical thinking. Some of his notable accomplishments include exposing Uri Geller, hosting an investigative TV show, and establishing a $1 million prize for anyone who can demonstrate evidence of paranormal abilities under scientific testing protocols.

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James Randi has an international reputation as a magician and escape artist, but
today he is best known as the world’s most tireless investigator and demystifier of
paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. Randi has pursued “psychic” spoonbenders,
exposed the dirty tricks of faith healers, investigated homeopathic water “with a
memory,” and generally been a thorn in the sides of those who try to pull the wool over
the public’s eyes in the name of the supernatural.
He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including a Fellowship from the
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 1986 for his work in investigating
claims of the supernatural, occult, and paranormal powers—in particular his exposures
of TV evangelist/healers and of "psychics" such as Uri Geller. He received a grant of
$272,000 to assist him in these continuing endeavors. He hosted The Randi Show on
WOR-Radio, New York City, and has appeared on numerous TV series and specials

2. throughout the world. He has taught at New York University and at Brookdale
Community College in New Jersey, was 1984 Regents Lecturer at the University of
California at Los Angeles, and has conducted several seminars at other colleges.
In 1975, by special request of First Lady Betty Ford, Randi appeared at the White
House to entertain the children of foreign diplomats for the holidays. In 1977, he was
nominated as "Visiting Magician of the Year" by the Academy of Magical Arts &
Sciences at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and he received the Garden State
Magicians' award in 1978.
In 1981, Randi received a certificate of appreciation at the MIT Club of Boston and the
designation of Grand Master of Magic from Hocus Pocus Magazine. The same year,
the International Astronomical Association named asteroid #3163/1981 QM C "Randi"
to note his contributions to encouraging young persons to embrace science. "Randi"
has an orbital period of 3.71 years and a magnitude of 17.
In 1983, Randi received the Blackstone Cup of the International Platform Association
as Outstanding Speaker in his category for his lecture Science & the Chimera. He
became the only second-time recipient of this award in 1987.
In 1984, the Bay Surgical Society of Los Angeles granted honorary membership to
Randi following his lecture to the group on pseudoscience and quackery in medicine.
Two years later, the Israeli Society for Promoting the Art of Magic conferred
membership on Randi, and Assembly 22 of the Society of American Magicians gave
him their Award of Merit "in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the
advancement of the Art of Magic and for exemplary promotion and defense of the Art
of Magic."
In 1986, Randi was awarded a Fellowship from the John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation for his work in investigating claims of the supernatural, occult,
and paranormal powers—in particular his exposures of TV evangelist/healers and of
"psychics" such as Uri Geller. He received a grant of $272,000 to assist him in these
continuing endeavors.
In 1987, the Academy of Magical Arts & Sciences in Los Angeles created a special
fellowship for Randi in recognition of his contributions to preserving the art of conjuring
as a form of entertainment, as opposed to the use of deception for purposes of fraud.
Also that year, Ring 254 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians conferred upon
him their Certificate of Appreciation "for increasing community awareness of Magic's
contribution to society as shown in his recognition by the MacArthur Foundation." He
also received Assembly 22 of the Society of American Magicians' Award of Merit.
In 1988, the National Council Against Health Fraud gave Randi their National
Consumer Service Award "in recognition of outstanding service to the community
against health fraud, misinformation and quackery in harmony with the principles of the
NCAHF." Also that year, he was appointed to the Hall of Fame of the Society of
American Magicians (SAM). He was named an International Ambassador of Magic for
the SAM, reporting to the Society from all over the world on developments in

3. techniques and new talent discoveries. He also received a silver plaque from the
Magicians of Italy.
In 1989, the American Physical Society presented Randi with their Joseph A. Burton
Forum Award. The citation read, "For his unique defense of science and the scientific
method in many disciplines, including physics, against pseudoscience, frauds and
charlatans. His use of scientific techniques has contributed to refuting suspicious and
fraudulent claims of paranormal results. He has contributed significantly to public
understanding of important issues where science and society interact." Also that year,
Randi was awarded the Gold Medal of the University of Ghent, Belgium, for his work in
combating pseudoscience and quackery, and he received the Book of the City of
Ghent, plus the Medal of the City of Ghent.
In 1990, the American Humanist Association gave Randi their Humanist Distinguished
Service Award "for his lifetime contributions to Humanism through the effective
promotion of rationality and critical thinking." The Committee for Scientific Examination
of Religion (CSER) gave James Randi their 1990 Distinguished Service Award for his
research into the fraudulent practices of faith healers and the legal actions against the
evangelists that resulted from his work. The Baton Rouge Proponents of Rational
Inquiry & Scientific Methods gave Randi their 1990 annual Thomas Paine Award "for
his unceasing campaign to expose charlatans, fakers, and other purveyors of
unreason and illogic, the whole world over." The next year, Randi presented his
Granada Television series James Randi: Psychic Investigator.
In 1992, the Hungarian Society for the Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge awarded
its highest decoration, the Commemorative Medal with Golden Wreath, to Randi "for
his very successful activity and his enlightening efforts during several decades in the
field of unmasking pseudoscientific beliefs." The Mu Epsilon chapter of Phi Theta
Kappa, Miami-Dade Community College, recognized Randi "for his contribution to
Education and his tireless pursuit of Truth." Randi was the 1992 Isaac Asimov Lecturer
at the Asimov Seminar of the Rensselaerville Institute of New York.
In 1993, Randi delivered the first Koetser Memorial Lecture in Zurich, Switzerland.
The Memorial Prize was awarded him "in recognition of his continuous efforts to
educate the public on science, to make scientists more aware of methods and possible
fallacies, and for his intellectual integrity in enlightening us." In November of that year,
he was a keynote speaker at the European Week of Scientific Culture in Lisbon,
Portugal, and Madrid, Spain. On October 19, 1993, the PBS-TV NOVAprogram
broadcast a one-hour special titled Secrets of the Psychics dealing with Randi's life
work, particularly with his investigations of "psychic" Uri Geller and various healing
claims being made by evangelists in the USA and by scientists in Russia.
In April of 1994, at the request of Dean Guido Calabresi, Randi addressed the Yale
University Law School as part of their "Science & the Law" seminar. It was only the
third time that the Law School auditorium was filled to capacity for a speaker. Dean
Calabresi wrote, "I am writing…to thank you for your wonderful discussion…Your
presentation was a major boost for our TechLaw group. You certainly lived up to your
reputation as an articulate, knowledgable, and entertaining speaker…Your

4. presentation was a great success!" Also in 1994, Randi received the Florida Crime
Prevention Training Conference Certificate of Appreciation.
In 1995, a degree honoris causa, Doctor of Humane Letters, was awarded Randi from
the University of Indianapolis. The citation read, in part, "James Randi, prolific author,
lecturer, and scientific investigator, celebrated MacArthur fellow, and truly amazing
magician, your studies have exposed the falsities of pseudoscience, the paranormal,
and the occult in order to enlighten the world to genuine science and the authentic
powers of the intellect and spirit. In recognition of your scholarly investigations which
have helped to define the boundary between true and false faith, between playful
magic and the manipulation of quackery, in honor of your distinctive genius in the
service of humanity…" Also that year, Randi was an Award Finalist in the non-fiction
category of the Horror Writers Association for his Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds &
Hoaxes of the Occult & Supernatural.
In 1996,The James Randi Education Foundation was established to further Randi's
work. Randi's long-standing challenge to psychics now stands as a $1,000,000
prize administered by the Foundation. It remains unclaimed. That same year the
Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal gave Mr. Randi their
Distinguished Skeptic Award, and he lectured for the Fermi National Accelerator
Laboratory and for the Media Lab in Boston. The next year, Randi gave the fourth
annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Lecture for the New York Area Skeptics Society.
In 1997, the mayor of Miami, Florida, named September 27, 1997, "James Randi Day"
"for his outstanding contributions on behalf of humankind." The Aventura Marketing
Council noted the Lifetime Achievement Award given to "author, lecturer, and
humanitarian" James Randi by the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Randi was
honored by the Science & Engineering Society of the National Security Agency,
Washington, D.C. In the December '97 issue of Esquire magazine, he was named
"One of the 100 Best People in the World, people who make our lives richer or larger
or happier," sharing the honor with Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, Bob Dylan—
and Homer Simpson.
In 1998, Randi received the Annual Award of the Costa Rican Magical Arts
Association. The next year, the Comitato Italiano per il Controllo dell Affermazioni sui
Paranormale gave their "In Defense of Reason" Special Lifetime Achievement Award
to Randi, and he spoke at Harvard University's series "Methods of Understanding in
Art & Science."
In 2000, Florida's Nova Southeastern University gave Randi their Distinguished
Lecturer Award. In 2002, the International Brotherhood of Magicians presented him
with their Presidential Citation. He lectured at Southern Methodist University at their
Collegium da Vinci facility.
In 2003, the first annual Richard Dawkins Award was presented to Randi by the
Atheist Alliance International at their conference in Clearwater, Florida. The citation
read, in part, "Demonstrating a nontheist world view in a straightforward manner,
Randi has combined entertainment and education while debunking charlatans who

5. would encourage human ignorance." The Canadian Association of Magicians gave
Randi their Camaraderie Award and honored him with an all-star banquet and show in
celebration of his Canadian origins.
In 2004, Randi received the Erwin Fischer Prize from the International League of Non-
Religious and Atheists in Germany. He also spoke at the 5th World Skeptics
Conference in Albano, Italy, and in Dublin, Ireland, for the Irish Skeptics on "Science &
Skepticism in the New Millennium."
In 2007, Randi won the Philip J. Klass Award, and he famously "overdosed" on
homeopathic sleeping pills while speaking as an invited guest of the TED conference.
The next year, he was inducted into the Independent Investigations Group of the
Committee for Investigation's Hall of Honor and received a Lifetime Achievement
Award. In 2009, he was elected to be a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical
Investigation, and in 2010, he was awarded an honorary membership in the New York
Academy of Sciences. He also spoke at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, on
"Confronting Pseudoscience," Also in 2010, Randi conducted a lecture tour of northern
Europe, with stops in Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland, including an
appearance at Copenhagen’s European Atheists’ Conference alongside Richard
Dawkins.
In 2011, Randi embarked on a coast-to-coast, nine-city lecture tour of Canada,
beginning in Vancouver, British Columbia, and ending in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was
met regularly along this tour by sold-out crowds. Sponsored by the Norwegian
Humanist Association, Randi also traveled on a lecture tour of Norway, where he
performed to packed theaters and appeared in national newspapers, TV, and radio.
In 2012, Randi was awarded the Australian Skeptics' Lifetime Achievement Award
and the American Humanists' Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received a
Lifetime Achievement Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts. He performed as
part of San Francisco's Porchlight Storytelling Series and spoke at the massive
Reason Rally event in Washington, D.C. Randi toured Europe extensively, making
appearances at Spain's Neuromagic conference and Guggenheim Museum, as well as
speaking in Milan, Tourin, and Padua, Italy. He also spoke at India's THiNK
conference and at the Australian Skeptics National Convention.
In 2014, a documentary about James Randi's life called An Honest Liar was
released. Neither James Randi nor the JREF receive any proceeds from this movie or
from the associated Kickstarter campaign.
In 2015, after nineteen years, Randi retired from the foundation and is enjoying
retirement in Florida. He still lectures and makes appearances on occasion.
He is the author of numerous books, including 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.

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