AceShowbiz - The Amazing Kreskin, the celebrated mentalist who captivated audiences with his mind-boggling abilities, has died at 89.

Kreskin, born George Joseph Kresge Jr., was born in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1935. Inspired by the comic strip character Mandrake the Magician, he began honing his mental acumen at a young age. In 1964, he made his television debut on "The Steve Allen Show", where a mishap while shaking hands with the host made him trip and fall. This incident is rumored to have inspired Johnny Carson's character Carnac the Magnificent on "The Tonight Show".

From 1970 to 1975, Kreskin hosted his own television series, "The Amazing World of Kreskin," where he delved into the mysteries of the human mind. He maintained a busy schedule, appearing on numerous talk shows, including "The Merv Griffin Show", "Late Night With David Letterman" and "The Mike Douglas Show".

Kreskin's act included a signature routine where he would locate a hidden paycheck from the audience. If he failed to find it, he performed for free, an occurrence that happened only a dozen times in his thousands of appearances. He also offered a $1 million reward to anyone who could prove he used secret assistants or electronic devices.

Despite his extraordinary abilities, Kreskin emphasized that he was not a psychic or a fortune teller. He described himself as "a scientist, a researcher in the field of suggestion and 'extrasensory' perceptions." He believed in the power of positive thinking and asserted that hypnosis was a hoax.

Kreskin's talents inspired a John Malkovich movie, "The Great Buck Howard" in 2008, and influenced the character portrayed by Zach Galifianakis in "Dinner for Schmucks" in 2010. He continued to perform online seminars about his skills until 2024 and maintained no plans to retire.

The Amazing Kreskin's legacy as a master of mentalism will forever be etched in the annals of entertainment history. His family requests privacy during this difficult time.