David Copperfield is the highest paid magician in the world

According to the Forbes list, he earns virtually the same amount as the highest-paid actor in the world Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

Forbes says the top three in the list made the majority of their money from Vegas shows

(David Copperfield)

While most people give up on magic tricks when they hit puberty, the fortunate few who persevere can wind up on a lucrative career path.

To put this into context, the highest paid magician, David Copperfield, earned far more in the last year than the highest paid TV actress, Sofia Vergara, and virtually the same amount as the highest-paid actor in the world Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson according to Forbes.

While Copperfield, a famed American illusionist, made an estimated $64m (£52m) in 2016, Johnson earned $64.5m (£53m) and Modern Family actress Vergara earned $43m (£35m) in the same period.

Copperfield, who has walked through the Great Wall of China, made the Statue of Liberty disappear and levitated over the Grand Canyon, is a near-billionaire. Forbes estimated his net worth at $800m (£654m) in 2013 and estimates him to be the most commercially successful magician in history.

The 60-year-old performed 638 shows at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino during the year and made millions from corporate gigs.

Penn & Teller, an American double act who are known for combining comedy and magic that have performed together since the late 1970s, are the second highest paid magicians on the list and earned $31.5 million (£26m) - roughly half of what Copperfield made in 2016.

Criss Angel and Dynamo followed behind with $19m (£16m) and $18m (£15m).

Dynamo and Derren Brown are the only English magicians on the list. While Dynamo, best known for the TV show Dynamo: Magician Impossible, came fourth place, Brown, known for television debut Derren Brown: Mind Control, earned $8m (£7m).

Surprisingly, David Blane, one of the world’s most famous magicians, is not on the list. Forbes said this is because he has recently cut down on performances in order to work on his upcoming project David Blaine: Beyond Magic.

Forbes told The Independent that magicians make the majority of their earnings through tours and corporate gigs. They said the top three in the list made the majority of their money from Vegas shows.

The world’s seven highest-paid magic acts earned a combined figure of $157.5m (£129m) between the period of 1 June 2015 and 1 June 2016 before fees and taxes are deducted. This is the first time Forbes has decided to rank the world’s magic acts in 12 years.

The top seven highest-paid magicians list is notable for its absence of females. Bar the fact The Illusionists has a few female performers, there are no other women on the list.

“Forbes does not have an estimate for the highest-earning female magician,” a spokesperson said.

“Magic is definitely a male-dominated profession. Though most of the magicians on the list aren't Las Vegas headliners, I think it's pretty telling that there isn't single female magician who currently headlines a Las Vegas magic show, to my knowledge. There are many factors involved in the gender gap, as The Atlantic investigated.

“That said, it's highly problematic that female performers in magic shows are (more often than not) assumed to be magician's assistants. It's a huge barrier for professional female magicians.”