Michael Griffin (born April 10, 1961) is an American escape artist, magician and illusionist. He is best known for his $100,000 worldwide challenge to anyone who can keep him prisoner,[1] and for performing a stunt where he is hanged by the neck.[2]
In 2012, Griffin was selected to appear on America's Got Talent. Originally scheduled to perform his Navy Sea Bag escape, producers at last minute suggested Griffin have Howard Stern come on stage and tie Michael up with rope.[3] He made his escape but was not selected to continue.[citation needed]
Stunts
Griffin's first stunt to bring the escape artist attention occurred in Newport Beach, California. In front of assembled media and onlookers, he was chained up with 15 feet of iron chain secured with four padlocks. He jumped from the bow of one of two yachts used and was able to escape within 30 seconds.[4][5]
During a concert appearance in Cincinnati, Ohio, Griffin sought to disprove the myth that Houdini escaped from under the ice in the Detroit River. A hole was cut into the ice off the dock of the Mike Fink restaurant on the Covington, Kentucky side of the Ohio river. He was locked up with three pairs of police handcuffs and 1 set of leg irons before disappearing beneath the ice, appearing free approx 30 seconds later.[6]
During a show for the prisoners at the Sedgwick County Jail in Wichita, Kansas, Griffin was restrained in 14 pairs of handcuffs and 6 leg irons then secured into an isolation cell. The escape was accomplished in 8 minutes and a sworn certificate signed by the Sheriff attesting to the facts of the escape was given to Griffin.[7]
During a three-day appearance at the Sandusky County Fair Griffin in Fremont, Ohio, Griffin was challenged by the Nopper-Veh Funeral Home to escape from a metal coffin designed with an airtight seal. He succeeded in escaping in under 11 minutes.[8]
He was the first magician to be given use of Houdini's underwater packing box, which had been in dry storage for 90 years. Griffin was allowed to examine it and decide whether to accept the challenge; the escape was successful.[9]
Public hanging
Griffin during the hanging escape
In January 1984, Griffin recreated a stunt he had originally performed in Houston, Texas on September 29, 1983.[10] A regulation 13-knot noose was used and applied by Johnny Darr, Sheriff of Sedgwick County, Kansas. Griffin's hands were tied behind his back, and he was pulled from the back of a horse. He made his escape in 37 seconds. According to Griffin "The pain was unbearable, I thought I was dying".[11]
Escape challenge
Griffin issued a challenge to reward $10,000 to anyone who could keep him prisoner.[12][13] He later increased the amount to $100,000.[9]
Awards and nominations
1993 Best Escape Artist, World Magic Awards (Award)[14][15][3]
1999 Best Escape Artist, World Magic Awards (Award)[14][15][3]
2004 Silver Handcuffs, World Escape Artist Convention (Award)[16]
References
↑ "Michael Griffin biography". all-about-magicians.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
↑ "My Hanging Horror". Globe. January 31, 1984. pp.3–4.
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