Michael McNamara's 2nd Appearance on I've Got a Secret

Acrobat Michael McNamara demonstrates both his "one finger trick" and his never-duplicated-by-any-other descent down a stairs of pedestals on one hand.

Sadly, Michael died nearly five years later on December 7, 1967 as a result of a car-pedestrian accident. His friend credited him with saving his life, as Michael saw the car coming and pushed him out of its path before being struck. Michael was to be on the Ed Sullivan show that next spring.

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[tkiernan2115]

Michael was hit by a car while walking home from school. He was walking with a friend and had just enough time to push his friend out of harms way, saving his friends life but losing his own. A true loss to his family and friends.

[RRaquello]

The other guy who did the one finger trick was a Ringling Bros. Circus performer named Unus, who Bill Cullen almost mentions. You can see him doing the stunt if you have the videos of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, because he was on one of the shows with the Beatles. He didn't do the hopping down the stairs routine, though. I actually bought the Beatles set not to see the Beatles, but because I had heard of Unus from an old Life magazine and wanted to see him do this stunt.

[Onlymusical]

God, this is the craziest thing I've ever seen. And it's so great to see the fantastic Henry Morgan enjoying himself.

[David Elmi]

Wow that was amazon

[VermontFan1]

How wonderful to find these videos of Michael (read an article in Dec 2010 issue of Adirondack Life) . One of my sisters was a student of Rose McNamara's and I have very fond memories of the family and a couple of ocassions when Danny, Michael, Michaela and Rose stopped by our home. My sister also did acrobatics, walked on her hands and was on television a couple of times. Indeed it was a terrible shock and an unbelievable loss when Michael died at such a young age. An astonishing boy!

[weatherboi]

I found the dates of the airing of the shows. 1st appearence was May 11, 1960, and 2nd was December 17, 1962.

[weatherboi]

What was the date of airing for this show and for Michael's first appearence? Betsy mentioned about being close to Christmas, could that have been in 1962 for this 2nd appearance? 

[HAZIDEAD]

Absolutely out of this world

[Mellie Young]

Wasn't he the sweetest young man? Deanne8web is very fortunate to share her birthdate with her uncle. That is was so amazing! Kes1963 is right...he was tailor-made for vaudeville! I am so sorry he died so young.