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{{notability|date=September 2009}}
{{Contradict|date=August 2009}} {{Contradict|date=August 2009}}
{{Magazine|date=August 2009}} {{Magazine|date=August 2009}}

{{Infobox Celebrity {{Infobox Celebrity
|name= Matt "the Knife" |name= Matt "the Knife"
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|birth_place=], ] |birth_place=], ]
|caption= |caption=
|occupation=], ], ] Performer, ], ], ], ] |occupation=], ] Performer, ], ], ], ]
|website= |website=
}} }}


'''Matt the Knife''' (or MTK, as he’s commonly called) was born in ] in 1979 and grew up in ] but now resides in ]. He's a highly regarded Magician and Mentalist as well as the breaker of a multitude of ].<ref name=AmericanVoices>{{cite episode | title = American Voices | series = American Voices | serieslink = http://www.sirius.com/americanvoices | airdate = October 12, 2008}}</ref><ref name=citypaper>{{cite newspaper | last = Amorosi | first = A.D. | author-link = A.D. Amorosi | title = Just Do It | newspaper = Philadelphia Citypaper | pages = 63 | year = 2007 | date = January 18 – 25, 2007 | url = http://www.citypaper.net/}}</ref><ref name=providence>{{cite magazine | last = Schwartz | first = Dan | author-link = Dan Schwartz | title = From Grifter To Guinness | magazine = Providence Monthly | pages = 14 | year = 2007 | date = August 2007 | url = http://www.providenceonline.com/providencemonthly/}}</ref><ref name=deluca>{{cite magazine | last = DeLuca | first = Sharon | author-link = Sharon DeLuca | title = It’s Magic! | magazine = QUAD angles | pages = 35 | year = 2007 | date = September 2007}}</ref><ref name=bozigian>{{cite magazine | last = Bozigian | first = Terri | author-link = Terri Bozigian | title = Prestidigitation Plus | magazine = Your Smithfield Magazine | pages = 4 – 6, 68 | year = 2007 | date = June, 2007}}</ref><ref name=gabrie>{{cite newspaper | last = Gabrie | first = Ptah | author-link = Ptah Gabrie | title = Haunted Fun for Everyone | newspaper = Philadelphia Citypaper | pages = 66 | year = 2007 | date = October 25 – November 1, 2007 | url = http://www.citypaper.net/}}</ref><ref name=martin>{{cite newspaper | last = Martin | first = Dick | author-link = Dick Martin | title = Not A Hard Act To Swallow | newspaper = The Observer | pages = 1B, 3B, 20B | year = 2004 | date = September 9, 2004}}</ref><ref name=Play>{{cite magazine | last = Perry | first = Rachel | author-link = Rachel Perry | title = Matt The Knife: Fire-Teething Never Looked So Good | magazine = Play (Philadelphia Edition) | pages = 10 - 12 | year = 2007 | date = January 17, 2007 | url = http://www.playphilly.com}}</ref><ref name=jw>{{cite newspaper | last = Jones | first = J.W. | author-link = J.W. Jones | title = Guinness Book record holder comes to J&W | newspaper = The Wildcat Chronicle | pages = 4 | year = 2006 | date = October 25, 2006}}</ref><ref name=circo>{{cite episode | title = Circo Massimo | series = Circo Massimo | serieslink = http://www.circomassimoshow.rai.it/ | airdate = September 2007 | season = 8}}</ref><ref name=dailyplanet>{{cite episode | title = Daily Planet | series = Daily Planet | serieslink = http://www.discoverychannel.ca/Showpage.aspx?sid=13287 | airdate = February 2, 2006}}</ref> but began his career as a professional ]. <ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=providence/><ref name=Play/><ref name=jw/> '''Matt the Knife''' (or MTK, as he’s commonly called) was born in ] in 1979 and grew up in ] but now resides in ]. He's a highly regarded Magician and Mentalist as well as the breaker of a multitude of ]. <ref name=deluca>{{cite magazine | last = DeLuca | first = Sharon | author-link = Sharon DeLuca | title = It’s Magic! | magazine = QUAD angles | pages = 35 | year = 2007 | date = September 2007}}</ref><ref name=bozigian>{{cite magazine | last = Bozigian | first = Terri | author-link = Terri Bozigian | title = Prestidigitation Plus | magazine = Your Smithfield Magazine | pages = 4 – 6, 68 | year = 2007 | date = June, 2007}}</ref><ref name=martin>{{cite newspaper | last = Martin | first = Dick | author-link = Dick Martin | title = Not A Hard Act To Swallow | newspaper = The Observer | pages = 1B, 3B, 20B | year = 2004 | date = September 9, 2004}}</ref><ref name=jw>{{cite newspaper | last = Jones | first = J.W. | author-link = J.W. Jones | title = Guinness Book record holder comes to J&W | newspaper = The Wildcat Chronicle | pages = 4 | year = 2006 | date = October 25, 2006}}</ref>.


==Early Years==
From the ages of approximately 14 through 21 he worked as a con artist, ran a card cheating ring, a shoplifting ring and a pick-pocketing ring who famously bilked dozens of casinos, corporations and even at least one Mafia family (in spite of, or possibly due to, being tied to at least two criminal families himself) out of untold sums.<ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=providence/><ref name=Play/><ref name=jw/>


==A Transition in to the Magical Arts== ==A Transition in to the Magical Arts==
Sometime around 2000 he began to adapt his talents from that of a criminal to the skills of a conjurer and slowly transitioned out of an illegal lifestyle over the next couple of years. Since then his magic has taken him on to perform in 10 countries across 3 continents (including television shows in the United States, China, Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom and several others).<ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=providence/><ref name=deluca/><ref name=bozigian/><ref name=Play/><ref name=jw/><ref name=circo/><ref name=dailyplanet/> Sometime around 2000 he began to adapt his talents from that of a criminal to the skills of a conjurer and slowly transitioned out of an illegal lifestyle over the next couple of years. Since then his magic has taken him on to perform in 10 countries across 3 continents (including television shows in the United States, China, Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom and several others). <ref name=deluca/><ref name=bozigian/>


He’s probably best known for his feats of mentalism but also often mixes sword swallowing, stunts, escapes, magic and his irreverent brand of humor in to his stage shows.<ref name=jw/>
He’s probably best known for his feats of mentalism but also often mixes sword swallowing, stunts, escapes, magic and his irreverent brand of humor in to his stage shows. <ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=citypaper/><ref name=providence/><ref name=Play/><ref name=jw/><ref name=circo/><ref name=dailyplanet/><ref name=Weekender2006>{{cite newspaper | last = Stout | first = Alan K. | author-link = Alan K. Stout | title = ‘Sideshow Gathering’ celebrates tradition | newspaper = Weekender | pages = 43 | year = 2006 | date = August 30, 2006 | url = http://www.theweekender.com/}}</ref><ref name=Weekender2005>{{cite newspaper | last = Martin | first = Leslie | author-link = Leslie Martin | title = Talking tattoos | newspaper = The Weekender | pages = 44 | year = 2005 | date = August 31, 2005 | url =http://www.theweekender.com/}}</ref><ref name=ABMag>{{cite magazine | last = O’Brien | first = Tim | author-link = Tim O’Brien | title = Oohs, ouches and the odd | magazine = Amusement Business | pages = 8 | year = 2005 | date = October 2005 | url = http://www.amusementbusiness.com/}}</ref><ref name=Chronicle-Telegram>>{{cite newspaper | last = Bishop | first = Bruce | author-link = Bruce Bishop | title = Bound But Determined | newspaper = The Chronicle-Telegram) | pages = 1 | year = 2007 | date = April 27, 2007 | url = http://www.chroniclet.com/}}</ref>


==Guinness World Records== ==Guinness World Records==
{{as of|2009}} he’s broken 12 Guinness records. They include records for things such as escapes, sword swallowing, fire manipulation, feats of strength, and card manipulation. He usually performs these stunts either for publicity or for the climax of his various television specials. <ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=citypaper/><ref name=providence/><ref name=bozigian/><ref name=Play/><ref name=jw/><ref name=circo/><ref name=dailyplanet/><ref name=ABMag/><ref name=GuinnessBook2006>{{cite book |title= ] | authorlink= Guinness World Records | year= 2005 | publisher= Guinness | location= United Kingdom | isbn= 1-904994-02-04 |pages= 177}}</ref><ref name=GuinnessBook2007>{{cite book |title= ] |authorlink= Guinness World Records |year= 2006|publisher= Guinness |location= United Kingdom |isbn= 978-1904994022 |pages= 177}}</ref><ref name=GuinnessBook2008>{{cite book |title= ] |authorlink= Guinness World Records |year= 2008|publisher= Guinness |location= United Kingdom |isbn= 978-1904994374 |pages= 102 and 175}}</ref><ref name=post>{{cite newspaper | last = Scheck | first = Frank | author-link = Frank Scheck | title = Knife flinger | newspaper = New York Post | pages = 38 | year = 2005 | date = June 27, 2005 | url = http://www.nypost.com/}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= Guinness World Records To The Extreme |last= Ryan-Herndon |first= Lisa L. |coauthors= Manzanero, Paula |year= 2007 |publisher= Scholastic Reference |location= United States |isbn=978-0439865623 |pages=33}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Brown |first= Seth |title= Rhode Island Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff |publisher= Globe Pequot |year= 2007 |month= September |isbn= 978-0762743384}}</ref> {{as of|2009}} he’s broken 12 Guinness records. They include records for things such as escapes, sword swallowing, fire manipulation, feats of strength, and card manipulation. He usually performs these stunts either for publicity or for the climax of his various television specials. <ref name=bozigian/><ref name=GuinnessBook2006>{{cite book |title= ] | authorlink= Guinness World Records | year= 2005 | publisher= Guinness | location= United Kingdom | isbn= 1-904994-02-04 |pages= 177}}</ref><ref name=GuinnessBook2007>{{cite book |title= ] |authorlink= Guinness World Records |year= 2006|publisher= Guinness |location= United Kingdom |isbn= 978-1904994022 |pages= 177}}</ref><ref name=GuinnessBook2008>{{cite book |title= ] |authorlink= Guinness World Records |year= 2008|publisher= Guinness |location= United Kingdom |isbn= 978-1904994374 |pages= 102 and 175}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= Guinness World Records To The Extreme |last= Ryan-Herndon |first= Lisa L. |coauthors= Manzanero, Paula |year= 2007 |publisher= Scholastic Reference |location= United States |isbn=978-0439865623 |pages=33}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Brown |first= Seth |title= Rhode Island Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff |publisher= Globe Pequot |year= 2007 |month= September |isbn= 978-0762743384}}</ref>


==Lecturing== ==Lecturing==
Since his transition from a grifter to a performer he's also gone on to be an anti-fraud expert. The stories from his early years along with tips on how to protect yourself, information about fraudulent activities, and demonstrations of many of these feats were put together for his keynote speaking engagements. The lecture has been featured at theaters, colleges and corporate events.<ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=citypaper/><ref name=martin/><ref name=Play/> Since his transition from a grifter to a performer he's also gone on to be an anti-fraud expert. The stories from his early years along with tips on how to protect yourself, information about fraudulent activities, and demonstrations of many of these feats were put together for his keynote speaking engagements. The lecture has been featured at theaters, colleges and corporate events. <ref name=martin/>


==Consulting== ==Consulting==
In 2003 he went on to found a successful consulting firm that specializes in fraud and the prevention of cheating within the gaming-industry. It supplies knowledge to corporations, casino personnel, as well as security & police forces. Additionally he works with the film industry, the literary industry, theaters and the television industry to create realistic characters and help develop more accurate depictions of topics involving criminal activity, the occult, the allied arts, the magical arts and mentalism. <ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=providence/><ref name=deluca/><ref name=bozigian/><ref name=Play/> In 2003 he went on to found a successful consulting firm that specializes in fraud and the prevention of cheating within the gaming-industry. It supplies knowledge to corporations, casino personnel, as well as security & police forces. Additionally he works with the film industry, the literary industry, theaters and the television industry to create realistic characters and help develop more accurate depictions of topics involving criminal activity, the occult, the allied arts, the magical arts and mentalism. <ref name=deluca/><ref name=bozigian/>

==Spiritualism & Séances==
Sometime between 2001 to 2004 he began to occasionally perform a very different style show than what he'd become known for. It's a séance based performance entitled "Epitaph". It debuted somewhere in Rhode Island and it's toured in several major cities including Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC and New Orleans. <ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=gabrie/><ref name=metro>{{cite newspaper | last = Robinson | first = Dorothy | author-link = Dorothy Robinson | last2 = Boutin | first2 = HaLeigh | author2-link = HaLeigh Boutin | title = Tricks or treats | newspaper = Metro | pages = 17 | year = 2007 | date = October 26 – 28, 2007 | url = http://www.metro.us/us/home/}}</ref>

But in spite of his claims that it was only intended for entertainment and that the theatrical community and critics gave very strong reviews it has come under fire by some right-wing religious groups in the US. This hasn't seemed to stop him from touring with it. But he only seems to do so on occasion and remains being known mostly for his work in con-games and magic. <ref name=AmericanVoices/><ref name=metro/>

==Media credits==
Matt The Knife has been featured in ] <ref name=post/>, ], ], ] <ref name=citypaper/>, PLAY Magazine <ref name=Play/>, The "METRO" Paper, Road King Magazine, Escape Masters Magazine, Amusement Business Magazine <ref name=ABMag/>, and ]; as well as being on ] <ref name=dailyplanet/>, ], ], ], ], ] on ], ], ] <ref name=AmericanVoices/>, ] (China), ]<ref name=circo/> (Italy) and ] (United Kingdom).


He was also a question on the American game show ]. <ref name=Jeopardy!>{{cite episode | title = Jeopardy! | series = Jeopardy. | serieslink = http://www.jeopardy.com/ | airdate = 23 December 2008 | season = 25 | number = 5592}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}
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Revision as of 22:47, 14 September 2009

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Matt "the Knife"
Born1981
Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation(s)Mentalist, Sideshow Performer, Escape Artist, Comedian, Lecturer, Magician
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
WebsiteMatt The Knife

Matt the Knife (or MTK, as he’s commonly called) was born in Massachusetts in 1979 and grew up in Boston but now resides in Rhode Island. He's a highly regarded Magician and Mentalist as well as the breaker of a multitude of Guinness World Records. .


A Transition in to the Magical Arts

Sometime around 2000 he began to adapt his talents from that of a criminal to the skills of a conjurer and slowly transitioned out of an illegal lifestyle over the next couple of years. Since then his magic has taken him on to perform in 10 countries across 3 continents (including television shows in the United States, China, Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom and several others).

He’s probably best known for his feats of mentalism but also often mixes sword swallowing, stunts, escapes, magic and his irreverent brand of humor in to his stage shows.

Guinness World Records

As of 2009 he’s broken 12 Guinness records. They include records for things such as escapes, sword swallowing, fire manipulation, feats of strength, and card manipulation. He usually performs these stunts either for publicity or for the climax of his various television specials.

Lecturing

Since his transition from a grifter to a performer he's also gone on to be an anti-fraud expert. The stories from his early years along with tips on how to protect yourself, information about fraudulent activities, and demonstrations of many of these feats were put together for his keynote speaking engagements. The lecture has been featured at theaters, colleges and corporate events.

Consulting

In 2003 he went on to found a successful consulting firm that specializes in fraud and the prevention of cheating within the gaming-industry. It supplies knowledge to corporations, casino personnel, as well as security & police forces. Additionally he works with the film industry, the literary industry, theaters and the television industry to create realistic characters and help develop more accurate depictions of topics involving criminal activity, the occult, the allied arts, the magical arts and mentalism.


References

  1. ^ DeLuca, Sharon (September 2007). "It's Magic!". QUAD angles. p. 35.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ^ Bozigian, Terri (June, 2007). "Prestidigitation Plus". Your Smithfield Magazine. pp. 4–6, 68. {{cite magazine}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ Martin, Dick (September 9, 2004). "Not A Hard Act To Swallow". The Observer. pp. 1B, 3B, 20B.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ Jones, J.W. (October 25, 2006). "Guinness Book record holder comes to J&W". The Wildcat Chronicle. p. 4.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. Guinness World Records. United Kingdom: Guinness. 2005. p. 177. ISBN 1-904994-02-04. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help)
  6. Guinness World Records. United Kingdom: Guinness. 2006. p. 177. ISBN 978-1904994022.
  7. Guinness World Records. United Kingdom: Guinness. 2008. pp. 102 and 175. ISBN 978-1904994374.
  8. Ryan-Herndon, Lisa L. (2007). Guinness World Records To The Extreme. United States: Scholastic Reference. p. 33. ISBN 978-0439865623. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  9. Brown, Seth (2007). Rhode Island Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Globe Pequot. ISBN 978-0762743384. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

External links

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