James “The Amazing” Randi was born 84 years ago today, August 7, 1928. Randi began his career as a magician and escape artist. He is pictured above moments after spending 104 minutes in a sealed metal coffin submerged in a hotel swimming pool (1956), breaking the previous record set by Harry Houdini. Since retiring his act at the age of 60, he has devoted his life to the investigation and demystification of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. He has no scientific or educational background, but his unique expertise in trickery and deceit has served him well in the pursuit of truth, and has given him a distinct advantage in the detection of what he calls “woo-woo”. For decades, the James Randi Educational Foundation has offered a one million dollar cash prize to be awarded to anyone who can, under proper observing conditions, demonstrate any paranormal or supernatural claim. To date, no one has passed the preliminary tests. At the age of 84, James Randi actively remains one of the most important and invaluable figures in the modern skeptical movement.