David Berglas

David Berglas became one of the defining British magicians of the twentieth century by taking magic beyond the theatre and into mass media. After becoming a professional in the early 1950s, he was the first magician to front his own British television series, Meet David Berglas, in 1954. His later television work in Britain and across Europe made him a familiar public figure.

Berglas combined stage illusion, mentalism and publicity stunts with an exceptional sense of scale. He was known for spectacular public demonstrations, including blindfolded driving and large outdoor illusions, but he also fascinated magicians with the elegant mystery now called the Berglas Effect: a freely named card appearing at a freely named number in a deck.

He served as President of The Magic Circle from 1989 to 1998 and received its Gold Medal in 2000. His imagination, showmanship and willingness to make magic feel impossible for a broad audience influenced generations of performers. Berglas died in London in 2023 at the age of 97.