The Amazing Kreskin, renowned mentalist and frequent late-night guest, dies at 89

(NEXSTAR) – The Amazing Kreskin, an entertainer and mentalist who rose to fame amid frequent appearances on TV talk shows like “The Tonight Show” and “The Mike Douglas Show,” has died, his family confirmed on social media. He was 89 years old.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of The Amazing Kreskin, born George Kresge, at the age of 89,” reads a statement posted to his official X account. “Performing for all of you brought immense joy to his life, and it was something he deeply cherished. The family kindly asks for privacy during this difficult time.”

Kreskin died Tuesday at his home in New Jersey, his manager told The Hollywood Reporter.

Kreskin, born George Joseph Kresge Jr., did not claim to have any supernatural powers, but rather an intuitive mind and the ability to read people. He would also appear on televised New Year’s programs to make predictions for the coming year.

One of Kreskin’s frequent tricks, which he called the “Check Test,” involved tasking himself with finding his own paycheck after a stage appearance. Members of the audience would be instructed to hide the check anywhere in the venue, and Kreskin, upon returning from being sequestered, would come find it. If he couldn’t, he would forfeit his fee.

Kreskin claimed he was unsuccessful at this "test" only a handful out of the thousands of times he performed it.

In addition to his live performances and appearances on talk shows, Kreskin starred in his own TV series, “The Amazing World of Kreskin,” and authored numerous books. The 2008 film “The Great Buck Howard” was also inspired by Kreskin, having been based on writer and director Sean McGinly’s experiences as Kreskin’s road manager in the ‘90s.

Shortly after the announcement of his death, Kreskin’s family left another message to his X account for fans of his performances.

“As Kreskin always said at the closing of his shows, ‘This is not goodbye, but … to be continued.’"