Chris Linn
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Chris Linn (born March 17, 1976) is an American comedian and magician, who is billed as "America's Magical Funnyman".
Born in Rochester, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, Linn has been a professional entertainer since he was in high school. His theatrical comedy shows mix unique magic effects, stunts, music, and multi-media elements.
Although Linn says that his interest in comedy came from listening to Richard Pryor albums at a very young age, he has never used blue comedy in his show. Linn stated in an article in The Detroit News (July 2004) that he has always wanted his show to be "something that someone could invite their grandmother's bridge club to and not be embarrassed."
About half of Linn's current performances are for private corporate functions for companies such as Honeywell, Ford Motor Company, DuPont, American Express, and ConAgra Foods. His public performances range from one-night shows at casinos and showrooms, to extended engagements andtheme parks such as Busch Gardens and Hersheypark and in production shows in Las Vegas and Tokyo.
Linn also occasionally performs at performing arts centers and theatres as half of the comedy duo "Comedy Two Nite", which also features comedy juggler Jim Oakley.
Respected in the entertainment community for his creativity, Linn frequently involves himself with creative projects outside of his own stage show. He has written and produced several comedy short films, including the award-winning parody commercial "When Balloon Animals Attack". Additionally, Linn has provided creative and magic consultation for other entertainers, stage and television productions, and the film industry.
[edit] Guinness World Record holder
In October 2005, Linn successfully broke the Guinness World Record for the "most one handed playing card scales in one minute". Card scaling is also known as card throwing. To break the record, Linn had to hold a deck of playing cards in one hand and use his thumb to propel ("scale") the cards from the deck a minimum distance of 12 feet. Linn was able to successfully scale 114 playing cards in one minute, beating the previous record of 104 playing cards set by magician Jeff McBride. The record breaking attempt took place at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, where Linn frequently performs his stage show during the park's Halloween season. One of the playing cards used in Linn's record breaking attempt is displayed in The Museum of Throwing Cards and Related Magic Ephemera.
In July 2007, Linn achieved another Guinness World Record for "Fastest Balloon Dog Made Behind the Back". Linn completed the complex balloon poodle in just 5.94 seconds at Rochester Hills City Hall. The previous record was 7.94 seconds; incidentally, it was held by another magician who was born in Michigan.
[edit] Personal life
On September 10, 2005, Linn married Brandy Atchison, who works as the office manager for Linn's entertainment production company. When he is not traveling for performances, Linn currently splits his time between his home in Sterling Heights, Michigan and Los Angeles, California.
