Michael Griffin: America's Escape Hero @ Boca Black Box
Michael Griffin possesses the uncanny ability to free himself from any extreme escape challenge known to man, from water-sealed oil drums, an assortment of complex police restraints, to mental hospitals, coffins, and other perilous escapes.
Griffin's first public performance was for a church event on Halloween. He performed magic tricks, then went on to do a straitjacket escape. When he was 18, he performed his first Death Defying escape in Lake Arrowhead. He was wrapped in 40 feet of chains and locks in the freezing cold and fog. He escaped successfully, unfortunately, he suffered a broken finger which required surgery the next day.
Two years later, Michael escaped from certain death at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean at Balboa Bay, CA. Breaking free of 25 pounds of chains and locks.
At 24, he stunned Sheriffs and deputies when he escaped jail's maximum-security cell in Wichita KS. with 14 pair of handcuffs, 6 leg irons and chains. In 1987, Michael escaped a deadly rope tie in Tuscaloosa, AL. Challenge found to be from a suspect in coed murder investigation. Victims had been found tied in the same manner as suspect tied Michael on stage.
Four years later, Michael saved the lives of 1,400 people in Saskatoon, Sask., Canada. During a sold-out performance, he was notified there was a fire upstairs. Rather than risk panic, he decided to trick the crowd into leaving the theater in a calm, orderly manner.
He told the audience he wanted to do something different and that he'd do a big stunt outside. Michael got everyone out quickly, and the fire chief and chief of police commended him. In 1993, The International Magic Awards Committee bestowed Michael Griffin the "Escape Artist of the Year" award - to date this award has not been given to another performer.
In 1997, as part of his world tour, Michael faced his most difficult challenge escape to date in Singapore. Michael took 17 agonizing minutes to escape a heavy specially reinforced packing crate.
After he had freed himself, the crowd mobbed the stage - the box was found to be untampered with leaving no clue as to his exit. Thereafter, Michael received a very real death threat; fortunately, the suspect was hurriedly detained.
Michael Griffin has become one of the most talked about escape artists in recent years, not because of what he has done, but what he has not done. What sets Michael apart is that he is constantly finding new ways to use those restraints to bring freshness and originality, as well as believability to the art of escapology.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Featured: America's Got Talent
- Featured: Masters Of Illusion
- Winner: Best Escape Artist World Magic Awards 1999
- Winner: Best Escape Artist International Magic Awards 1993
- The only human to survive a public hanging
- Helped catch a murderer while still tied up with rope
- Helped 1200 people safely get out of a burning building while still tied up with rope
Griffin's first public performance was for a church event on Halloween. He performed magic tricks, then went on to do a straitjacket escape. When he was 18, he performed his first Death Defying escape in Lake Arrowhead. He was wrapped in 40 feet of chains and locks in the freezing cold and fog. He escaped successfully, unfortunately, he suffered a broken finger which required surgery the next day.
Two years later, Michael escaped from certain death at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean at Balboa Bay, CA. Breaking free of 25 pounds of chains and locks.
At 24, he stunned Sheriffs and deputies when he escaped jail's maximum-security cell in Wichita KS. with 14 pair of handcuffs, 6 leg irons and chains. In 1987, Michael escaped a deadly rope tie in Tuscaloosa, AL. Challenge found to be from a suspect in coed murder investigation. Victims had been found tied in the same manner as suspect tied Michael on stage.
Four years later, Michael saved the lives of 1,400 people in Saskatoon, Sask., Canada. During a sold-out performance, he was notified there was a fire upstairs. Rather than risk panic, he decided to trick the crowd into leaving the theater in a calm, orderly manner.
He told the audience he wanted to do something different and that he'd do a big stunt outside. Michael got everyone out quickly, and the fire chief and chief of police commended him. In 1993, The International Magic Awards Committee bestowed Michael Griffin the "Escape Artist of the Year" award - to date this award has not been given to another performer.
In 1997, as part of his world tour, Michael faced his most difficult challenge escape to date in Singapore. Michael took 17 agonizing minutes to escape a heavy specially reinforced packing crate.
After he had freed himself, the crowd mobbed the stage - the box was found to be untampered with leaving no clue as to his exit. Thereafter, Michael received a very real death threat; fortunately, the suspect was hurriedly detained.
Michael Griffin has become one of the most talked about escape artists in recent years, not because of what he has done, but what he has not done. What sets Michael apart is that he is constantly finding new ways to use those restraints to bring freshness and originality, as well as believability to the art of escapology.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Featured: America's Got Talent
- Featured: Masters Of Illusion
- Winner: Best Escape Artist World Magic Awards 1999
- Winner: Best Escape Artist International Magic Awards 1993
- The only human to survive a public hanging
- Helped catch a murderer while still tied up with rope
- Helped 1200 people safely get out of a burning building while still tied up with rope