He is one of the highest earning entertainers in the world. He is not a singer, not related to film, not an actor, not an author, not a writer, not related to sports, but he is named after a fictional character. Name this entertainer.

The famed illusionist was born David Seth Kotkin, but he adopted his well-known stage name from the title character of a classic Charles Dickens novel. This clever choice gave him a memorable identity in the world of magic and illusion, a field of entertainment distinct from acting, singing, or professional sports. His career is built not on scripts or songs, but on creating mind-bending spectacles that defy explanation.

His status as one of the world's wealthiest entertainers is cemented by his legendary residency in Las Vegas. For decades, he has performed hundreds of shows a year, primarily at the MGM Grand, generating a staggering income that has made him the most commercially successful magician in history. Forbes has even declared him a billionaire, a fortune built almost entirely on live performance and related business ventures, including a luxurious private island resort in the Bahamas.

Beyond his financial success, he is known for grand-scale illusions that captured the public's imagination throughout the 1980s and 90s. His televised specials, which featured feats like making the Statue of Liberty disappear and walking through the Great Wall (Review) of China, established him as a household name. These epic stunts proved that an entertainer could reach the highest echelons of fame and fortune through the singular art of illusion.