Best Known As: The magician who was buried alive in New York City
Showman David Blaine's original specialty was "street magic" -- close-up magic done for small groups on city streets. He became better known after starring in a series of TV specials in the late 1990s. (He also became known for his hipster style, uptown-casual clothes, and friendship with celebrities like actor Leonardo DiCaprio.) Over time Blaine moved from small-scale stunts to much-publicized set pieces that were as much endurance tests as feats of legerdemain. In 1999 Blaine was buried in a glass coffin for a week in a New York City stunt, and the next year he spent three days encased in a block of ice in Times Square. He attempted his next stunt in May of 2002, standing atop a 90-foot pillar in New York's Bryant Park for two days before falling into a cushion of cardboard boxes. In September 2003 he was suspended in a glass box near the Thames River in London for 44 days. In May of 2006 he spent seven days in a water-filled glass sphere outside New York's Lincoln Center in a stunt he called "Drowned Alive."
At the end of "Drowned Alive," Blaine tried but failed to set a world record for holding one's breath, while also attempting to escape from shackles at he bottom of his sphere. Divers pulled him from the water after seven minutes.
David will perform Monday April 5th, 1999. It will be at Trump Park, 68th Street at West End Avenue (Riverside Place) at 10:00 A.M.
David will attempt to be buried alive for one week under six feet of Plexiglas tank filled with 4000 pounds of water, an attempt no other magician has tried. (the 7 day thing)
David did keep his word when he said "in your face pure and undeniable" by allowing the curious to look down in the coffin through the Plexiglas tank to see David in a trance like state only with a torch. David will be fed four tablespoons of water a day, hopefully enough for him to survive.
Houdini has always fascinated David. Blaine notes that he is performing a trick Houdini never accomplished but always wanted to do. Lance Burton also compared himself to Houdini when he was buried alive.
Lets all hope Blaine gets the respect he deserves. Unlike Houdini or Burton, Blaine will be there seven days and seven nights. Is it a trick, or reality?
On November 27, 2000, Blaine was encased in ice for almost 62 hours in New York’s Times Square. A network of tubes provided him with air, water, and the ability to relieve himself.
David Blaine is among the most controversial magicians today. He is both loved and loathed by audiences and fellow magicians alike. Some criticize him for his lack of technical skill. Others feel that his "tricks" such as Frozen In Time and Magic Man are merely publicity stunts.
Regardless of what people believe to be David Blaine's motives, he is certainly a commercial success and his latest stunt was aired on ABC on May 22, 2002.
For this most recent challenge David Blaine perched himself upon a free standing pillar, 22 inches in diameter for 35 hours. He went without food and water for the duration of the challenge and even urinated via a catheter. As if this was not challenge enough, David Blaine then made his dismount from the pillar by jumping into cardboard boxes. The jump was aired live on ABC.
On September 5, 2003, Blaine spent 44 days sealed inside a transparent glass box suspended 30 feet above the ground in London’s Potter Fields Park on the bank of the River Thames. The glass box was approximately 7 feet x 7 feet x 3 feet. During the 44 days, Blaine claims to have fasted and lost 54 pounds of body weight.
Perfomance 
David will perform Monday April 5th, 1999. It will be at Trump Park, 68th Street at West End Avenue (Riverside Place) at 10:00 A.M.
On November 27, 2000, Blaine was encased in ice for almost 62 hours in New York’s Times Square. A network of tubes provided him with air, water, and the ability to relieve himself.
David Blaine is among the most controversial magicians today. He is both loved and loathed by audiences and fellow magicians alike. Some criticize him for his lack of technical skill. Others feel that his "tricks" such as Frozen In Time and Magic Man are merely publicity stunts.
On September 5, 2003, Blaine spent 44 days sealed inside a transparent glass box suspended 30 feet above the ground in London’s Potter Fields Park on the bank of the River Thames. The glass box was approximately 7 feet x 7 feet x 3 feet. During the 44 days, Blaine claims to have fasted and lost 54 pounds of body weight.
