Michael Ammar
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English Template:Infobox person Michael Ammar (born June 25, 1956) is an American close-up magician.<ref name="New Straight Times October 2007"/><ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/>
BackgroundEdit
Ammar was born in Logan, West Virginia. His father's background was Syrian.
Ammar earned a degree from West Virginia University in business administration in 1978.<ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/>
MagicianEdit
In 1982, Ammar competed with magicians from 30 countries to win first prize ex aequo with Aurelio Pavito in Close-up Magic at Lausanne, Switzerland.<ref>FISM – The Book, 2015, page 181</ref>
During the 1980s he developed a close friendship with his mentor, Dai Vernon ("The Professor"), whose influence is apparent in Ammar's performances.Template:Citation needed
Ammar was the magic week finale on Late Night with David Letterman in 2010 and has made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He moved to Los Angeles - where he became a regular performer at the Playboy Mansion, and made appearances on the Merv Griffin Show, The Tonight Show, CNN, and Travel Channel.Template:Citation needed
Ammar appeared at the Magic Castle in Hollywood.Template:Citation needed. By 1990, the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood had awarded him its "Oscar" in six separate categories (the maximum number of awards for which he is eligible).<ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/>
He appeared on NBC's 1998 "Worlds Greatest Magic 5" special,<ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/> and has been a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman.
Ammar has made private performances at Universal Studios and the Vatican.Template:Citation needed He performed and coordinated the magic talent at George W. Bush's Presidential inaugural banquet.<ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/> He was the first featured performer at the "Caesars Magical Empire" at Caesars Palace.Template:Citation needed
Ammar has performed on television in England, France, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Australia and Russia.<ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/>
Ammar's work includes the popularization of Topit, with his refinement of Topit technique and inspired a number of close-up magicians to adopt it. He has written "The Topit Book" and made "The Topit DVD".
Magic InstructorEdit
Ammar has been lecturing to other magicians since about 1982.<ref name="New Straight Times October 2007"/>
In 1999, Magic Magazine named Ammar as "One of the Most Influential Magicians in the Twentieth Century".<ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/>
On August 26, 2010, Outside cited Ammar as the "go-to source" for magic instruction.<ref name="Outside Online August 2010"/> The magazine published a list of "100 Things to Do Before You Die", and numbered 45 as "Learn a magic trick"—suggesting studying with the master, Michael Ammar.<ref name="Outside Online August 2010"/>
PublicationsEdit
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- “Michael Ammar Live Act (Penguin Live)”
- “Michael Ammar Live (Penguin Live)”
- “At the Table Live with Michael Ammar”
- "The Topit Book"
- "Success and Magic"
- "Videonics videos with Dai Vernon"
- "Encore 1"
- "Encore 2"
- "Encore 3"
- "The Magical Arts Journal"
- "Brainstorm in the Bahamas"
- "The Magic Video"
- "Making Magic Memorable"
- "Negotiating Higher Performance Fees"
- "Restaurant Magic Business"
- "The Magic of Michael Ammar"
- "The Crazyman's Handcuffs"
- "Easy to Master Card Miracles, Vol 1-9"
- "Easy to Master Money Miracles, Vol 1-3"
- "Easy to Master Thread Miracles, Vol 1-3"
- "Easy to Master Business Card Miracles"
- "The Topit DVD"
- "Exciting World of Magic"
- "The Little Hand"
- "Amazing Secrets of Card Magic"
- "Complete Introduction to Coin Magic"
- "Icebreakers"
- "Classic Renditions 1 - The Floating Bill"
- "Classic Renditions 2 - Rubber Band Magic"
- "Classic Renditions 3 - The Thumbtip Bill Switch"
- "Classic Renditions 4 - Roll Over Aces"
- "Live at the Magic Castle"
- "The New Topit Pattern"
- "Any Signed Card to Any Spectators Wallet"
- "Cups to Lemon"
AwardsEdit
- Distinguished Alumni Award from West Virginia University 2003
- Magician of the Year, Tannens, NY 2000<ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/>
- Best Close Up Magic, World Magic Awards, 1999<ref name="WVU Alumni Biography"/>
- Gold Medalist, World Sleight-of-Hand Competition, FISM, 1982
- Best Sleight-of-Hand, International Magic Awards, 1991
- Best Sleight-of-Hand, International Magic Awards, 1992
- The Academy of Magical Arts Parlour Magician of the Year (1985, 1990)<ref name="Hall of Fame">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- The Academy of Magical Arts Close-Up Magician of the Year (1981, 1983)<ref name="Hall of Fame" />
- The Academy of Magical Arts Lecturer of the Year (1982, 1983)<ref name="Hall of Fame" />
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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