Jonathan Goodwin (escapologist)
Jonathan Goodwin (born 20 February 1980) is a Welsh escapologist and daredevil. In October 2021, Goodwin suffered serious injuries while rehearsing for a stunt.
Jonathan Goodwin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jonathan Goodwin 20 February 1980 |
| Occupation | Escape artist and daredevil |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Website | www |
Early life
Goodwin was born and grew up in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and attended the since-closed Tasker Milward Voluntary Controlled School in Haverfordwest.[1]
Career
He first appeared on Channel 4 TV programme Dirty Tricks and has subsequently appeared in TV specials The Seven Stupidest Things to Escape From, and Deathwish Live as well as Discovery Channel's One Way Out and How Not to Become Shark Bait in which he allowed himself to be attacked by a Caribbean reef shark. Goodwin returned to Discovery Channel in 2009 for a ten-part series of One Way Out which also starred engineer Terry Stroud. He also appeared in an episode of the Channel 4 program Balls of Steel, with his father helping him with a stunt.
On 11 September 2012, it was announced that Goodwin would be appearing in his own series on UKTV's Watch, entitled The Incredible Mr. Goodwin. The show included a wide variety of stunts, from free climbing skyscrapers to "extreme planking", and started airing in early 2013. It was also shown on UKTV's Dave and on BBC America beginning in July 2013.[2][3]
On 9 March 2013, Goodwin appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show and performed the stunt of lying on a single nail and having a breeze block broken on his chest with a sledgehammer. In April 2019, he appeared on the 13th series of Britain's Got Talent, made it to the finals performing "buried alive" the first time this stunt had ever been attempted on a stage. In 2020, he appeared on America's Got Talent, where he finished as a semifinalist.[4]
In October 2021, Goodwin suffered a near-fatal accident while rehearsing a stunt for America's Got Talent: Extreme. The stunt was to have Goodwin escape from a straitjacket while hanging upside-down 30 ft (9.1 m) high and between two suspended burning cars.[5] The cars were released early, causing Goodwin to become trapped before falling.[6][4][7][8] He suffered third-degree burns, broken bones, and a severed spinal cord, and now requires a wheelchair.[9]
Personal life
Goodwin is divorced and is engaged to actress Amanda Abbington.[9] They had been social media friends for a decade, but met only after her split from Martin Freeman. Goodwin proposed marriage within 30 minutes of their first meeting, in Vienna.[9]
References
- Brinded, Lianna (25 November 2013). "Dangerman and Escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, Britain's 21st Century Houdini (Part 1) [VIDEO]". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "'Dangerman: The Incredible Mr. Goodwin' to Premiere on BBC AMERICA July 8". BBC America. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Berenz, Ryan (10 July 2013). "BBC America's Danger Man: Behind the wild stunts of Jonathan Goodwin". Channel Guide Magazine. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "AGT: Extreme Contestant Jonathan Goodwin Hospitalized After Daredevil Stunt Goes Wrong". People. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- "Britain's Got Talent star Jonathan Goodwin paralysed". BBC News. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- "Actress Amanda Abbington recalls how escapologist fiance Jonathan Goodwin nearly died twice when stunt went wrong". Sky News. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- Seemayer, Zach (17 October 2021). "'AGT: Extreme': Production Halted After Contestant Injured By Stunt". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- Bullock, D.M. (15 October 2021). "Jonathan Goodwin Seriously Injured in Stunt Gone Wrong at 'AGT: Extreme' Rehearsal, Terrifying 911 Call Reveals". Breaking Daily News. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- "Britain's Got Talent star Jonathan Goodwin paralysed". BBC News. 3 May 2022.
External links
