KRESKIN. Almost everyone in the US still knows who he is and what miracles he performs. Hundreds of TV appearances over a long period of time...and still at it!

I'd just like to say that the initial post didn't specify whether or not the mentalist had to be one who invented new 'stuff'.

With this in mind I'd like to point out that I have seen a few guys 'perform' mentalism as good as if not better than many of the 'recognised' names.

Bobser

Who are they? You're right, the original post didn't say "innovators" or "originators."

As far as mentalists and psychics go, there are many greats... BUT...
As far as true mind manipulators go, the "greatest" title would have to belong to me. There are two reasons for this.
1. As a person who does not have two hands, it would be impossible for me to use cheap "magic" to perform my miracles.
2. At the conclusion of every mass hypnosis demonstration that I perform, I give a post-hypnotic suggestion that the people who hear my words will remember nothing about the experience. I do this, of course, so that I may live a normal life.
Those of you who think that you have never heard of me are the one's who best prove my point.
Peace,
Parson (The world's greatest hypnotist/mentalist/psychic/thought controller/ going back into obscurity) Smith

Btw, you will soon forget this post.

That's easy,in my opinion the Greatest of All Time is Par..Pa..P..P..P..p..p..all I remember is a haaaat..ZZZzzzz....

What post?

*jeep!
--Chet

"Greatest of all time." For the audience or for mentalists?
For the audience in Sweden: Uri Geller. Kreskin is great in US. But in Sweden everyone know Uri Geller but not more than 100 people in the whole country knows Banachek, Kreskin, Dunninger or Osterlind.
For us mentalists? Annemann?
For me? Osterlind.
What can we learn? Well, maybe that your are nothing without publicity. And nowadays it is television. When Geller was on TV there were so few channels so a lot of people saw the same programmes. So I don't think there will be any more "Mentalist for the whole world", a person everyone talks about.

My vote goes to Geller. A great showman. Even when he first started out, I don't think he really 'fooled' that many people with his spoon, fork bending routine. IMO his 'charisma' and 'showmanship' made people 'want' to believe.

After watching ALL of the Derren Brown specials and his TV show, I believe he owns the game right now. this guy is DEFINITELY doing it right!