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Michael Griffin (born April 10, 1961) is an American Escape Artist, Magician and Illusionist. He is best known for his $100,000.000 Worldwide challenge to anyone who can keep him prisoner. As well as being the only person to have survived a public hanging, many feats of escape, and has set and broken several world records.

His career started to flourish with his advent of the "challenge" act. He had spent most of his early days just out of Rim of the World High School driving into Los Angeles seeking representation as an escape artist. He was told several times that he needed something different to be able to market himself. Griffin came up with the idea of offering cash to anyone who could tie him up preventing his escape because according to Griffin "my brother Peter and I used to tie each other up with rope all the time. I could always get out, he never could.  We still feed him daily (joking)" That was the start of the challenge escapes which led to more and more daring escapes.

Early life
Griffin was born in Lexington, Kentucky. He was born with a back problem and spent the first 6 months strapped to a board to alleviate the condition. He was adopted and at the age of 9 traveled with his father to California due to his parents divorce. He spent his formative years growing up in southern California where with a couple of friends in the 7th grade discovered the book The amateur magician's handbook and spent almost all his free time learning sleight of hand.

Notable Appearances
Because of the nature of the escapes the Associated Television International started using him and he became the only 2 time winner for Best Escape Artist in the World Magic Awards and went on to make numerous appearances in the series Masters of Illusion (TV series) and also multiple appearances featuring newly invented escapes on the Reelz series Extreme Escapes

In 2012 Michael was selected to appear on America's Got Talent (season 7). Originally scheduled to perform his Navy Sea Bag escape producers at last minute suggested Griffin have Howard Stern who was in his first year judging come on stage and tie Michael up with rope. Griffin made his escape, however was not selected to go any further.

Escape Artist Sets Death Date In Pacific Ocean
Griffin's first "stunt" to bring the escape artist attention occurred in Newport Beach, CA. In front of assembled media and onlookers, he was chained up with 15 feet of iron chain secured with 4 padlocks. He jumped from the bow of one of two yachts used and was able to escape within 30 seconds. This started the ball rolling for him, generating attention and setting the groundwork for his later challenges involving large sums of money.

Escape Under The Ice Covered Ohio River
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, KY side of the Ohio river. Griffin was locked up with 3 pairs of police handcuffs and 1 set of leg irons before disappearing beneath the ice, appearing free approx 30 seconds later.

Public Hanging
In January 1984, Griffin attempted to recreate a stunt he had originally performed in Houston, TX September 29, 1983. During this attempt a regulation 13 knot noose was used and applied by the Sheriff of Sedgwick County Kansas, Johnny Darr as well as tying Griffin's hands behind his back. Escape was made in approx 37 seconds. According to Griffin "The pain was unbearable, I thought I was dying".

Naked Jail Escape
Wichita, KS saw a special demonstration of Griffin's challenge escape. During a special show for the prisoners at the Sedgwick County Jail, 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.

Coffin Escape
Freemont, OH During a 3 day appearance at the Sandusky County Fair Griffin was challenged by the Nopper-Veh Funeral Home to escape from a metal coffin designed with an airtight seal. Griffin succeeded in escaping in under 11 minutes.

$10,000.00 Challenge Escape
Before raising the Worldwide challenge amount to $100,000.00 Griffin had issued the challenge for $10,000.00 to anyone who could keep him prisoner.

In Houdini's Box Under The Sea
Michael Griffin became the first magician to be granted the use of Houdini's underwater packing box which had been in dry storage for approximately 90 years. Griffin was allowed to examine it and decide to accept or decline the challenge. The escape was successful, but almost cost the Escape Artist his life.

Private appearances
He has performed privately for a number of celebrities, business leaders and politicians, and performed escapes center stage during NBA halftimes.



Awards and nominations

 * 1993 Best Escape Artist, World Magic Awards (Award)
 * 1999 Best Escape Artist, World Magic Awards (Award)
 * 2004 Silver Handcuffs, World Escape Artist Convention (Award)