James Randi was a Canadian-American stage magician, an escape artist and a scientific skeptic who devoted much of life debunking everything paranormal – from spoon bending to ghost whispering, faith healing and U.F.O. spotting. He began his career as a magician and escape artist under the stage name The Amazing Randi and famously created two world records with his acts. He performed in numerous television shows too, though he always reminded his audience that his acts were based on tricks and were not a result of any paranormal power. He also went on to debunk claims by psychics, faith healers and fortune tellers. He was called a debunker but he preferred to describe himself as an investigator or a skeptic. In his career, he investigated numerous people including Peter Popoff, a fraudulent faith healer. He helped co-found the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) and later established James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). Through the latter, he also offered one million dollar to anyone who could provide evidence of paranormal, supernatural or occult power. Despite numerous participants, the award remained unclaimed. Randi also wrote extensively – he authored ten books and also contributed to various magazines. A revered name in the scientific community, he received numerous awards and honours for his work.