Karrell Fox and Aldo Colombini for their creativity, humor, approach to magic and approachability. Both were very easy to talk to.

David Copperfield, watching him in my teenage years got me into Magic.

After that, Derren Brown, James Randi and Houdini.

Also David Blaine.

They all have their strengths and weaknesses but I love them all...

Because there ought to be at least one female in this list; and because she richly deserves to be included:

Frances Ireland Marshall (March 25, 1910 - May 26, 2002) -- an accomplished magicienne, specializing in children's shows; author of several books including the classic memoir "You Don't Have To Be Crazy - But It Helps."

I never saw her perform solo, but she was a frequent asset in others' shows as a truly "lovely assistant," spooling paper serpentines from her mouth and otherwise helping to make the magic happen. She gave me the teenagers' discount on many OTC tricks and gimmicks at the Ireland store on Dearborn in Chicago back in the day, and once she even invited me to attend an after-hours gathering where locals and out-of-towners would demo their latest effects to colleagues in the magic community. I had a boyish crush on her and remember her fondly still after ca. 65 years.

I’d have to say Goldfinger and dove . I wasn’t into Magic until I saw them perform, they brought some thing to Magic. No one else had done before rhythm.

Doug Henning, for fostering my childhood love of magic.

Penn & Teller, for reacquainting me with magic as an adult.

Ted Annemann for helping me explore the far depths of magic once I got back into it as an adult.

And Eugene Burger for keeping me sane while digging deeply into said magic.

I'd say I owe them all a lot.