Advanced search

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.

On October 19, 1993, the PBS-TV "NOVA" program broadcast a one-hour special dealing with Randi's life work, particularly with his investigations of Uri Geller and various occult and healing claims being made by scientists in Russia.

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.

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.

Connie Zimet was born on 22 November 1941 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. She was an actress, known for Ida Fanfanny and the Four Seasons (1980), Miss Nelson Is Missing! (1979) and Animated Tales of the World (2000). She died on 10 March 2009 in Plantation, Florida, USA.

Doug Hobart was born on 20 May 1927 in the USA. He was an actor, known for Flesh Feast (1970), Impulse (1974) and The Weird World of LSD (1967). He was married to Rosemary Henry. He died on 25 November 2024 in Plantation, Florida, USA.

Doris Self was born on 18 September 1925 in the USA. She died on 3 October 2006 in Plantation, Florida, USA.

John Venturello was born on 4 April 1888 in Salerno, Campania, Italy. He was married to Anna and Helen Donadeo. He died on 31 March 1994 in Plantation, Florida, USA.

Cristy Caserta was born on 5 August 1980 in Davie, Florida, USA. She died on 4 October 2018 in Plantation, Florida, USA.

Larry Napp was born on 21 May 1919 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was married to Phyllis Tencza. He died on 7 July 1993 in Plantation, Florida, USA.

Donald Ray Payne was born on 7 January 1933 in Wellington, Texas. He died on 25 February 2017 in Plantation, Florida, USA.

Eric Bowman passed away peacefully on June 15 after a year long battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. At his bedside were his wife Cyndie and his two beloved dogs, Jake and Katy. Eric was born in High Point, NC and grew up in Chapel Hill, NC. He is the son of Hague Bowman and Avie Gunn Bowman (deceased).

Eric graduated from Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC where he was recruited to play football. He had fond memories of the many friends he had while at Ravenscroft. Upon graduation he attended Virginia Military Institute, where he received a scholarship to play quarterback on the football team, and then transferred to NC State University to complete his college career. Eric was a huge Wolfpack fan. He moved to South Florida over twenty years ago to work for American Airlines. During that time he attended Culinary Arts School, at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, with aspirations to someday own a restaurant of his own. It would have been called "Bowman's Barbeque".

He is survived by his wife Cyndie of Plantation, FL, his father Hague Bowman, brothers Tony (Ronda) and Keith (Christy) all of Chapel Hill, NC as well as numerous friends and relatives who care deeply for him.

Gone way too soon, Eric will be severely missed.