In 1982, Ammar competed with magicians from 30 countries to win first prize ex aequo with Aurelio Pavito in Close-up Magic at Lausanne, Switzerland.[3]
During the 1980s he developed a close friendship with his mentor, Dai Vernon ("The Professor"), whose influence is apparent in Ammar's performances.[citation needed]
Ammar appeared at the Magic Castle in Hollywood.[citation needed]. By 1990, the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood had awarded him its "Oscar" in six separate categories (the maximum number of awards for which he is eligible).[2]
Ammar has made private performances at Universal Studios and the Vatican.[citation needed] He performed and coordinated the magic talent at George W. Bush's Presidential inaugural banquet.[2] He was the first featured performer at the "Caesars Magical Empire" at Caesars Palace.[citation needed]
Ammar has performed on television in England, France, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Australia and Russia.[2]
Ammar's work includes the popularization of Topit, with his refinement of Topit technique and inspired a number of close-up magicians to adopt it. He has written "The Topit Book" and made "The Topit DVD".
Ammar has been lecturing to other magicians since about 1982.[1]
In 1999, Magic Magazine named Ammar as "One of the Most Influential Magicians in the Twentieth Century".[2]
On August 26, 2010, Outside cited Ammar as the "go-to source" for magic instruction.[5] The magazine published a list of "100 Things to Do Before You Die", and numbered 45 as "Learn a magic trick"—suggesting studying with the master, Michael Ammar.[5]
