George Joseph Kresge Jr., also known as The Amazing Kreskin, passed away at the age of 89 in his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. His friend Ryan Galway confirmed the news to The Associated Press, mentioning that Kreskin had been unwell for a few weeks prior to his death.
The Amazing Kreskin, inspired by the character Mandrake the Magician, began his television career in the 1960s and remained a popular figure for many years. He made appearances on various talk shows hosted by well-known personalities such as Merv Griffin, Johnny Carson, and Jimmy Fallon. Fans were always intrigued by his mind-bending tricks, from guessing random playing cards to locating hidden objects in the audience.
Aside from television appearances, Kreskin also hosted his own show in the 1970s, conducted live performances, and authored several books on mentalism. Despite his success, there was a controversial incident in 2002 when he falsely predicted a UFO sighting in Las Vegas, leading to criticism from radio host Art Bell.
Galway shared that Kreskin continued to perform live shows well into his 80s until an injury forced him to retire earlier this year. He never married and had no immediate family members. According to Galway, Kreskin was deeply committed to his career, considering it his lifelong dedication.
