Comic magician Michael Finney, received the Academy of Arts Award for Comedy Magician of the Year in Hollywood. Similar to the Academy Awards for movie stars, the entertainers are nominated and voted on by members and peers of the magicians’ craft. Michael has also received the Academy of Magical Arts Parlor Magician of the Year Award.

Michael Finney has lived in Phoenix, Arizona since 1978. He began as a magic bartender at the Golden Eagle Restaurant and 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 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 magic and comedy career. In 1986 Michael Finney was a finalist on Star Search with Ed McMahon. In 1987 he received the Silver Lions Head from Siegfreid & Roy for his comedy and magic performances.

Michael Finney continued to perform at comedy clubs across the United States up to 40 weeks a year. He made six appearances on Fox’s Comic Strip Live, has appeared on HBO’s 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 and Michael Finney has made two appearances on the George Lopez Show.

Magician Michael Finney continues appearances at corporate events, casino resorts, and has even performed in England in Manchester and New Castle. Michael Finney 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.

On a local level, Michael Finney was voted Comedian of the Year 1992, by the Arizona Entertainment Awards and he has hosted the annual Dry Heat Golf Classic Tournament. He formed the Michael Finney Foundation, which is a 501C3 charity, benefiting local children’s charities. In addition, Michael Finney has volunteered his time for the City of Phoenix police and fire departments and several other charity events.