Dean first captured the attention of an International audience on Halloween Night, 1987 when he performed one of the most daring escapes of all time -- "Houdini's Milk Can Escape" -- as a last minute replacement for James "The Amazing" Randi. Randi was scheduled to enact the escape for the live television special "The Search For Houdini." Just hours before the show, Randi was injured and asked Dean, who had never performed The Milk Can Escape before, to take his place. Following Dean's successful escape from The Milk Can, which he had only seen for the first time the day before, Johnny Carson described the performance to his Tonight Show Audience as "Incredible." That fateful night launched Dean's International career, endearing him to people of all ages around the world.
For the N.B.C. Special, "Magic In The Magic Kingdom," Dean delighted crowds in Disneyland and across North America with his Shark Cage Escape. Chained and handcuffed to the inside of a shark cage, Dean was lowered into the water surrounding Disneyland's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. For two minutes and thirteen seconds, the audience held its breath expectantly until Dean broke the surface of the water. The escape so impressed the show's host, George Burns, that he exclaimed, "Now there is a new Houdini, and his name is Dean Gunnarson!"
One of Dean's most venturous escapes was filmed for a Japanese television special to mark the 500th episode of "Naruhudo! The World." While free falling from an airplane 13,500 feet above the earth, Dean escaped from a straight jacket and two pairs of handcuffs before parachuting to safety with only six seconds to spare!
Dean has surpassed Houdini with numerous escapes, establishing his career as an original Escape Artist. He conceived the unique "Car Crusher Escape" for the television show "The Spectacular World of Guinness Records," hosted by David Frost. He was handcuffed and chained into a 1970 Cadillac -- his neck chained to the steering wheel, his legs to the brake pedal, and his arms to the doors. Viewers from more than 40 countries around the world watched Dean wrestle free from the web of chains, locks, and cuffs as the car plunged into the powerful, bone-shattering jaws of a car crusher.
Some of Dean's other television appearances include The Nashville Network's popular "Statler Brothers Show," the Disney Channel and Family Channel, where he is a favourite family entertainer. One of Dean's personal career highlights was opening for Aerosmith at their CD Release Party of "Nine Lives" in New York City.
Many of Dean's greatest escapes have been performed for charitable organizations including The Rainbow Society, The Cancer Foundation and as an Ambassador for the Variety Club. His devotion to these causes was recognized when the United Commercial Travelers of America named him the Humanitarian Of The Year from more than 185,000 people selected. The Society of American Magicians, the oldest magic organization in the world, have also honored Dean's significant contribution to magic by appointing him International Ambassador. He is the First Canadian and the Youngest Person ever to receive either Award.
Dean broke new ground as the First Performer in the magic field to be honored with his own set of Collector Cards chronicling his most daring escapes.
Dean's exploits have added several exciting chapters to the history of escapes, including some of the most daring escapes the world has ever seen. Dean assures that the best is yet to come. He is determined to meet and beat every challenge that comes his way to achieve his destiny of becoming The Greatest Escape Artist Of All Time!!!
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