David Merlini
{{Infobox person
| name = David Merlini
| image =David Merlini President - The House of Houdini Budapest.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = David Merlini President - The House of Houdini Budapest
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Budapest, Hungary
| occupation = escape artist, Director
| children = No
| years_active = 1993–present
| website = [http://www.merlini.com www.merlini.com]
| footnotes =
}}
David Merlini is a Hungarian-Italian escape artist, and World Record holder, described by Expo 2015 as the world's most famous escapologist,{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.expo2015.org/archive/en/david-merlini--the-new-houdini--a-great-show-of-illusionism-at-expo-milano-2015-on-thursday--october-29.html |title=David Merlini, the New Houdini: A Great Show of Illusionism At Expo Milano 2015 on Thursday, October 29 | Expo Milano 2015 |website=Expo2015.org |date= |accessdate=2017-01-23}} currently serving as Director of The House of Houdini, the only Houdini museum in Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.euronews.com/2016/10/28/no-escape-from-the-genius-of-harry-houdini |title=No escape from the genius of Harry Houdini |website=Euronews.com |date=2016-10-28 |accessdate=2017-01-23}}
Merlini's signature performances had been broadcast live in some of the most relevant television networks worldwide.{{cite news |date=2004-09-03 |title=Illúzió vagy titkos tudomány? |trans-title=Illusion or secret science? |url=http://www.epa.oszk.hu/00800/00804/00342/46722.html |newspaper=Hetek |language=Hungarian |accessdate=2016-09-11 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192953/http://www.epa.oszk.hu/00800/00804/00342/46722.html |archivedate=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/extreme-escapes/cast/716193/ |title=Extreme Escapes Cast and Characters |website=TVGuide.com |date= |accessdate=2017-01-23}}{{cite web|author= |url=http://en.people.cn/90001/90783/7380073.html |title=Italian man refreshes Guiness World Record for underwater breath holding - People's Daily Online |website=En.people.cn |date= |accessdate=2017-01-23}}
Early life and career
His mother is Hungarian and his father is Italian.{{cite news |last=Balázs |first=Eszter |date=2004-12-02 |title=Escaping his dreams |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/106C4A890A6A9787?p=AWNB |newspaper=The Budapest Sun |accessdate=2016-09-11 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240527232143/https://www.webcitation.org/6kQzgGusW?url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/106C4A890A6A9787%3Fp=AWNB |archivedate=2024-05-27 |url-status=dead }} He was raised in Italy, where he moved with his family from Hungary at the age of 4.
Around the age of 4, Merlini became interested in locks and handcuffs. As a child, he was given a magic trick, which founded his career. Around 13, Merlini attended night school at Turin's Circolo Amici della Magia, an illusionist school. When he was 17, he returned to Hungary, the country he regards as his homeland. Merlini cited Harry Houdini, who had also been born in Hungary, as a major source of inspiration.{{cite news |date=1998-10-30 |title=New Houdini wannabe escapes from burning car |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0F364C9206680108?p=AWNB |newspaper=Deseret News |accessdate=2016-09-11 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240527232228/https://www.webcitation.org/6kR0HVLCN?url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0F364C9206680108%3Fp=AWNB |archivedate=2024-05-27 |url-status=dead }}
Milestones of his career
=1995=
At Sziget'95 (now called the Sziget Festival), Merlini was strapped in a straitjacket, and was tied to a flaming rope by his feet. His aim was to escape from the rope and descend 20 meters to the platform below with a safety line.{{cite web|url=http://nol.hu/kultura/ha-egyszer-houdini-elszabadul-1602543 |title=Kultúra: Ha egyszer Houdini elszabadul |website=NOL.hu |date=2016-02-20 |accessdate=2017-01-23}}
=1996=
Merlini was locked and in a perforated steel box, after being chained and padlocked. The box was lowered into the Danube from the Chain Bridge.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/mailap19960826 |title=Mai Nap 1996-08-26 : Laura : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive |website=Archive.org |date= 22 January 2017|accessdate=2017-01-23}}
=1997=
Attempts to recreate Houdini's famed Chinese Water Torture Cell, Handcuffed by five sets of regulation police handcuffs, locked with 60 pounds of chains, and padlocked in a metal cage, Merlini was lowered into a transparent tank of water, live at eurovision television programme Jeux Sans Frontieres.{{cite web|url=http://nava.hu/id/1883394/ |title=Nemzeti Audiovizuális Archívum |website=Nava.hu |date=1997-07-27 |accessdate=2017-01-23}}
=1998=
Handcuffed to the steering wheel of a Mercedes 500, doors are welded shut, the car is set on fire and lifted up to a height of 100 ft. before being released free fall.{{cite web|url=http://www.magictimes.com/archives/1998/1998-11_23-29.htm |title=MagicTimes News Archives - Week Of November 23-29, 1998 |website=Magictimes.com |date= |accessdate=2017-01-23}}
=1999=
Strapped in a regulations straitjacket on the main stage of Sziget Festival, he is lifted upside down several hundred feet in the air, before proceeding to escape.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/Nepszabadsaagtv200408 |title=David Merlini Népszabadságtv 200408 : Laura : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive |website=Archive.org |date= January 2017|accessdate=2017-01-23}}
=2000=
Strapped in a special underwater straitjacket, Merlini's ankles are secured by handcuffs, padlocks and massive lead weights. He jumps into the giant transparent tank of water along with six tiger sharks, spending a total of 2 minutes and 30 seconds at a depth of 5 meters.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/Talalkozasok200106a |title=David Merlini - Találkozások Magazin cover : Laura : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive |website=Archive.org |date= 22 January 2017|accessdate=2017-01-23}}
The New Generation Performances
=2001=
The stunt named Hyberna sees Merlini strapped in a regulation straitjacket, welded in a steel reinforced glass container filled with water, and set to freeze in a refrigeration cell on Heroe's Square, in Budapest.
At the end of the 33 hours process, the one ton ice block is melted with flame throwers.{{cite web|url=http://www.terasz.hu/premier/main.php?id=premier&page=cikk&cikk_id=6420 |title=Premier |website=Terasz.hu |date= |accessdate=2017-01-23}} The show is witnessed live by a crowd of more than 10,000 and on live television broadcast.
=2002=
As part of a live segment for MTV show The Fridge.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426692/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_4|title=The Fridge : TV Series (2001–2003)|website=IMDb.com|accessdate=2017-01-23}} Strapped in a regulation straitjacket, his ankles are padlocked and handcuffed to lead weights, before jumping in the Baltic Sea in --Karlskrona, Sweden.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/Blekinge20021009 |title=David Merlini in Sweden Blekinge 20021009 : Laura : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive |website=Archive.org |date= 23 January 2017|accessdate=2017-01-23}}
=2003=
Handcuffed to a metal cross, Merlini is lowered upside down in a tank of water set on fire,{{cite web|author= |url=https://vimeo.com/114055614 |title=David Merlini performs his version of the upside down underwater escape in full view. on Vimeo |website=Vimeo.com |date=2014-12-09 |accessdate=2017-01-23}} as part of a segment for MTV show The Fridge.
=2004=
As part of the performance named "The Breakthrough", viewed by two million people on live television, and a large crowd on the banks of the river, Merlini was buried up to his neck in 3.5 tons of freshly set concrete after which the concrete cube was lowered by crane to the bottom of the Danube river.{{cite web |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/inside-the-budapest-escape-room-that-started-the-worldwide-craze |title=Inside the Budapest Escape Room That Started the Worldwide Craze: Why Hungarians are so good at puzzles—from Houdini and Rubik's Cubes to escape rooms. |work=Atlas Obscura |first1=Jennifer |last1=Walker |date=August 26, 2016 |accessdate=January 23, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/in-a-concrete-cube-hungarian-escape-artist-david-merlini-is-news-photo/51249933?#in-a-concrete-cube-hungarian-escape-artist-david-merlini-is-hoisted-picture-id51249933 |title=In a concrete cube, Hungarian escape art Pictures |publisher=Getty Images |date=2004-08-31 |accessdate=2017-01-23}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blikk.hu/sztarvilag/merlini-nem-volt-trukk-a-nagy-attores/27qv596 |title=Merlini: Nem volt trükk A nagy áttörés |website=Blikk.hu |date=2015-10-21 |accessdate=2017-01-23}}
=2005=
Merlini is locked in a capsule on top of the largest non governmental, non military missile ever built, and launched to an altitude of 6,000 feet from the Shipyard Island (Hajógyári Island), as part of the stunt named The Countdown, witnessed live by a crowd of thousands, and broadcast live by Viasat.{{cite web|url=http://lifestyle.iafrica.com/hislife/features/87133.html |title=iafrica.com Escape artist breaks world record |website=Lifestyle.iafrica.com |date=2007-10-12 |accessdate=2017-01-23}}
=2006=
Publishes his first autobiographic book titled "Szabadíts ki!' (Free me!)|url=[https://moly.hu/konyvek/david-merlini-szabadits-ki].moly.hu 2006
=2007=
Merlini received the "Best Escape Artist" award at the 2007 World Magic Awards in Los Angeles.{{cite news |last=László |first=Szabó G. |date=2015-09-20 |title=Külföldre viszi mutatványait David Merlini |trans-title=David Merlini abroad takes mutatványait |url=http://ujszo.com/online/panorama/2015/09/20/kulfoldre-viszi-mutatvanyait-david-merlini |newspaper=Új Szó |language=Hungarian |accessdate=2016-09-11 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911050100/http://ujszo.com/online/panorama/2015/09/20/kulfoldre-viszi-mutatvanyait-david-merlini |archivedate=2016-09-11 |url-status=dead }}
=2008=
Merlini set the breath-holding world record in Cannes, France, at the annual trade show MIPCOM after holding his breath for 20 minutes and 39 seconds. He received a certificate from Guinness World Records for "The record for the longest time that someone has held their breath underwater".{{cite news |last=Hache |first=Valery |date=2008-10-14 |title=Hungarian artist David Merlini presents his world record certificate |url=http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/hungarian-artist-david-merlini-presents-his-world-record-news-photo/83261089 |publisher=Getty Images |accessdate=2016-09-27 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927060005/http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/hungarian-artist-david-merlini-presents-his-world-record-news-photo/83261089 |archivedate=2016-09-27 |url-status=dead }}|url=[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mipcom-awaits-david-merlini-stunt-120939]. hollywooodreporter.com October 13, 2008|url=[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/world-record-holds-mipcom-breathless-120962]. hollywoodreporter.com October 13, 2008
=2009=
Breaks the world record for the longest time underwater on the starting grid of the Formula 1 World Championship in Bahrain, before the start of the race. The event was covered live worldwide. The new world record stands at 21 minutes and 29 seconds.|url=[http://archive.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/05/2009_formula_one_season_wet_dr.html]. boston.com. May 5, 2009
=2010=
Merlini is on tour. Performing on 17 different venues, presenting his signature escapes.
=2011=
=2012=
Plays chess upside down with chess World Champion Susan Polgár, after successfully escaping a regulation straitjacket.|url=[http://www.globalchessfestival.com/fesztival/archiv/2012]. globalchessfestival.com. November 27, 2012
=2013=
Merlini consulted for the Houdini miniseries as magical and escape advisor, training actor Adrien Brody, who played the role of Houdini, how to escape from handcuffs while holding his breath.
=2014=
Merlini was set on fire during his "Witch trial" stunt. Tied at the stake with ropes, and soaked with flammable material, he had to escape before the protective coating on his skin would volatilize.|url=[http://www.tvtango.com/series/extreme_escapes]. tvtango.com. November 29, 2014
=2015=
Merlini presented "Houdini in Milano", a live theatrical show featuring real escapes, for the closing ceremony of Expo 2015 at the Auditorium in Milan, Italy.|url=[http://www.hestetika.it/lungheria-celebra-houdini-allexpo/]. hestetika.it October 29, 2015{{cite web |url=http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2015/10/houdini-in-milano-october-22-29.html |date=October 3, 2015 |title=Houdini in Milano, October 22–29 |work=Wild About Harry |first1=John |last1=Cox |accessdate=January 23, 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2015/11/photos-from-houdini-in-milano.html |date=November 11, 2015 |title=Photos from "Houdini in Milano" Escape artist |quote=David Merlini shares with us today photos from the recent Houdini in Milano exhibition at the Expo Milano 2015. The display was presented by David and the General Commissioner of Hungary and marked the first major Houdini exhibition in Europe.|first1=John |last1=Cox |accessdate=January 23, 2017}}
=2016=
Merlini opened The House of Houdini, presenting the largest permanent collection of original Houdini artifacts in Europe.{{cite web |url=http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2013/10/meet-houdinis-technical-advisor-david.html |date=October 23, 2013 |title=Meet Houdini's technical advisor: David Merlini |quote=David Merlini is serving as technical advisor on the Houdini miniseries currently shooting in Budapest. |accessdate=January 23, 2017}} Its artifacts were previewed at Budapest's National Széchényi Library.{{cite web |url=http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2016/03/new-houdini-museum-rises-in-budapest.html |date=March 29, 2016 |title=New Houdini Museum Rises in Budapest |work=Wild About Harry |first1=John |last1=Cox |accessdate=January 23, 2017}}{{cite news |first1=Krisztina |last1=Fenyo |first2=Krisztina |last2=Than |first3=Alison (Editor) |last3=Williams |last4=Szabo |first4=Bernadette (Photographer) |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-houdini-idUSKBN1491PQ |title=Budapest museum lifts lid on Houdini's magic, Hungarian roots |agency=Reuters |website=Reuters|date=December 20, 2016 |accessdate=January 23, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20161208-handcuff-king-houdinis-secrets-unlocked-hungary |first1=Peter |last1=Murphy |date=December 8, 2016 |publisher=France24 |title='Handcuff king' Houdini's secrets unlocked in Hungary |quote=Set high in the capital's lofty Castle district, the House of Houdini lifts the veil on the box of tricks used by the famous magician, who lived most of his life in the United States. |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202033630/http://www.france24.com/en/20161208-handcuff-king-houdinis-secrets-unlocked-hungary |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=dead }} The museum's collection includes original Houdini memorabilia: e.g., handcuffs, personal correspondence, and "precious artifacts." A bible one owned by Houdini is part of the collection.{{cite web|url=http://www.magic-compass.com/house-houdini-opens-hungary/ |title=House of Houdini Opens in Hungary |author=Compeer |date=December 13, 2016 |work=The Magic Compass |publisher=Society of American Magicians |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |quote=It's true, the American illusionist was Hungarian, born in Budapest in 1874, the son of a rabbi and part of a large family with seven children.}}{{cite news |url=http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/219699/museum-dedicated-to-harry-houdini-opens-in-budapest |title=The Scroll: Museum Dedicated to Harry Houdini Opens in Budapest |work=Tablet |date=December 9, 2016 |first1=Jonathon |last1=Zalman |accessdate=January 23, 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/legendary-handcuff-king-houdinis-secrets-unlocked-in-hungary |title=Legendary 'handcuff king' Houdini's secrets unlocked in Hungary |work=Malay Mail |date=December 6, 2016 |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202131852/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/legendary-handcuff-king-houdinis-secrets-unlocked-in-hungary |url-status=dead }} It also includes original props from the latest "HOUDINI" film {{ndash}} Oxygen (1999), which featured Adrien Brody, an Oscar winner, and the later miniseries.{{cite web |url=http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2016/06/the-house-of-houdini-opens-today-in.html |date=June 16, 2016 |title=The House of Houdini opens today in Budapest |work=Wild About Harry |first1=John |last1=Cox |accessdate=January 23, 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.houseofhoudinibudapest.com/ |title=House of Houdini Official website |publisher=The House of Houdini |accessdate=January 22, 2017}}
Accidents and injuries
In 2008 During a World Record attempt in Cannes, France, Merlini's assistants smash the giant water tank in order to rescue him, resulting in an injured arm caused by broken glass .
In 2014 he presents Hyberna, the ice escape in Italy on Canale 5. During the escape, the 1 ton ice block breaks, causing a fracture of Merlini's tibia and fibula. Merlini calmly thanks the audience for the support, before being rushed to the hospital.|url=[http://www.tvblog.it/post/684200/tu-si-que-vales-lescapologo-david-merlini-si-rompe-una-gamba]. tvblog.it. November 15, 2014 Few weeks later, he performs a new underwater escape, the "upper body escape", where only his head and torso is submerged underwater, due to the cast on his leg.|url=[http://www.wittytv.it/tu-si-que-vales/david-merlini-la-finale/499148/]. expo2015.org. November 29, 2014
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.merlini.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Merlini, David}}