Michael Ammar

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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"/>

Background

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"/>

Magician

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>Template:Cite 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 Instructor

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"/>

Publications

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Awards

References

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Template:Academy of Magical Arts Parlour Magician of the Year Template:Academy of Magical Arts Close-Up Magician of the Year Template:Academy of Magical Arts Lecturer of the Year

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