Steve Shaw

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For the 1970's TV detective series, see Banacek.

Steven Shaw (b. 1960) is an American mentalist who uses the stage name Banachek. Banachek has written numerous mentalism books and invented various magic and mentalism effects, including the Penn & Teller bullet catch and the original "buried alive."

Banachek often is sought out by various top entertainers around the world as a consultant. Names of such magical entertainers include Penn & Teller, David Blaine, Lance Burton, James Randi and Criss Angel.

Banachek has received the APCA (Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities) Entertainer of the year award two years on a row and the College Campus novelty act. He also has been the recipient of the Psychic Entertainers Association's coveted award for creativity in mentalism.

Banachek is renowned for fooling scientists at Washington University into believing that his supposed psychic abilities were genuine during the Project Alpha hoax in the early 1980s. He also took part in an investigation with Randi exploring Peter Popoff, which ultimately exposed Popoff's false claims.^[1]

Born in England and raised in South Africa and Australia, Banachek has been performing since his arrival in the United States in 1976.