Banachek's Biography(Photos)

Described as the "Cream of the Crop" when it
comes to entertainers, Banachek (born 1960 as

Steven Shaw) is the world's leading
Mentalist. His talents are so incredible that

On July 12, 2009 he conducted a preliminary

he is the only mentalist ever to fool
scientists into believing he possessed

test of Connie Sonne's dowsing ability for
the James Randi Educational Foundation's

'Psychic powers' but to later reveal he was
fooling them. Performers around the world

Million Dollar Challenge that was witnessed
by hundreds in person and hundreds more via

such as the colourful Penn & Teller, "The
Amazing" James Randi and television's unique

live webcast.
Awards

street magician David Blaine seek his
performing expertise. Companies and theatres

* Psychic Entertainers Association Dave

seek him for his outstanding performing
abilities.

Lederman Memorial Award (Awarded for
Creativity in Mentalism) 1997

Banachek has written books on mentalism, such

* apca (association for the Promotion of
Campus Activities) Entertainer of the Year

as Psychological Subtleties, and invented
various magic and mentalism effects,

1998, 1999.
* apca college Campus Novelty Act of the

including the Penn And Teller bullet catch
and the original "buried alive."

Year 2000.
* Psychic Entertainers Association Dan

Blackwood Memorial Award (Awarded for
Outstanding Contribution to the Art of

Mentalism) 2006
* Psychic Entertainers Association

Africa and Australia, Banachek has been
performing since his arrival in the United

Dunninger Memorial Award (Awarded for
Distinguished Professionalism in the

Performance of Mentalism) 2007
* His book Psychological Subtleties 2 won

Banachek is often sought out by various top
entertainers and magic TV shows around the

the first place in The Magic Woods Awards,
for best book in 2007.

world as a consultant. The entertainers
include Penn And Teller, David Blaine,

Lance Burton, James Randi and Criss Angel. He
has been responsible for putting more magic

* Atmore, Joseph; Dunninger, Joseph;

and mentalism on American television than any
other magic consultant in the world.

Banachek; Palmer, Bill (2001). dunninger's
Brain Busters. Humble, TX: H And R Magic

Banachek is renowned for fooling scientists

Books. pp. 111. oclc 65215584.
* Banachek; Burlingame, Hardin J.; Wells,

at Washington University into believing that
his supposed psychic abilities were genuine

Scott R.; Gillett, S. Christopher (2002).
Psychophysiological Thought Reading, or,

during the Project Alpha hoax in the early
1980s. He also took part in an investigation

Muscle Reading and the Ideomotor Response
Revealed. Houston, Texas: Magic Inspirations.

with Randi exploring Peter Popoff, which
ultimately exposed Popoff's false claims.

pp. 73. isbn 9780970643810. oclc 60349209.
* Banachek; Dyment, Doug; Wells, Scott R.

He has appeared on several television

(2007). Psychological Subtleties 2. Houston,
Texas: Magic Inspirations. pp. 206. isbn

programs including CNN Live, Mindfreak and
Unscrewed with Martin Sargent.

9780970643827. oclc 310366497.
* Banachek (Featured Performer). (2004).

In 2008 he toured as part of a stage show

Banachek's Psi Series. United States: L And L
Publishing.