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Comic Magician, Michael Finney,
received the Academy of Arts Award for Comedy Magician of the
Year in Hollywood. This award is similar to the Academy
Awards for movie stars. The entertainers are nominated and voted
upon by Members and peers of the craft. Michael also received the Academy Magical Arts Parlor Magician of the Year Award. Michael has lived in Phoenix
since 1978. He began as a magic bartender at the Golden Eagle
Restaurant at the time he was hailed as one of Phoenix's best bartenders
by the New Times. For three years he was the "house magician" at
Legend City Amusement Park. He then went on to Los Angles and began n
working comedy clubs while still living in Phoenix. In 1986 he
brought his comedy back to Phoenix with the opening of FINNEY BONES Comedy
Club, which ran until 1993 when he closed his club to pursue his
career. In 1986 he was finalist on Star Search with Ed McMahon.
in 1987 he received the Silver Lions Head from Siegfreid & Roy for comedy
and magic. Michael continued to do comedy clubs across the United
States up to 40 weeks a year. He made six appearances on Fox's Comic
Strip Live, HBO Comic on the Road, Sunday Comics with Lenny Clark, Bud
Friedman's Evening at the Improv and two NBC specials hosted by John
Ritter "World's Greatest Magic" and "World's Wildest Magic". He also
appeared on the Magic Hour with Hall of Fame basketball star, Magic
Johnson. Michael, has made two appearances on the George
Lopez Show. He continues appearances at corporate events, casino
resorts and performs abroad having just returned from England
where he performed in Manchester and New Castle. Michael was also
invited to perform at the Inauguration of President Bush in January 2001.
He received the Jimmy Durante Award for Comedy through the
Fraternal Order of eagles in Reno, Nevada, July 2004, which has a local
chapter in Phoenix.
On a local level, he was voted Comedian of the Year 1992 by the Arizona
Entertainment Awards. This year will mark the 11th Annual Dry Heat
Golf Classic Tournament, hosted by Michael. He formed the Michael
Finney Foundation, which is a 501C3 charity, benefiting local children's
charities. In addition, he has volunteered his time for the City of
Phoenix Police, Fire Departments and several other charity events. |