Jean-Michel Casanova

As seen on the IMDB:

A world-class rock climber, Jean-Michel has pioneered some of the most difficult sport climbing routes in the world, climbed the legendary "American Direct" at the Drus and Mt. Blanc at age 14, graduated from Art school, won stunt and photography Awards, hold a Guinness World Record, and moved the Unites States for a new challenge...

Jean-Michel started as a rock climber and martial artist at the young age of 5. In his twenties, he went on to pioneer some of the most difficult routes in Europe, made countless ascents in the French Alps, participated in the very first rock climbing comps and the World Cup, and helped improve numerous safety products and climbing gear for the mountaineering industry. Needless to say, all that while setting an example of professionalism in a green industry by always offering his sponsors returns beyond their expectations.

Among his many climbing accomplishments, Casanova free soloed 5-12d in 1989, at his "home-crag" in Cimai, and later ended his professional sports career as a climber in 1991 by rep-pointing infamous 5-14b "The Specialists" (the highest level of difficulty in sport climbing at that time) and setting a Guinness World Record with his 20-minute free-solo climb of the Eiffel Tower.

Self-managed during his 5-year sports career from 1986 to 1991, Jean-Michel was sponsored by Oakley, Nike, Suzuki, Asolo, Beal, Petzl and Nikon. He went on to study architecture and design at "Les Beaux Arts" of Toulon, France, and with his "partner in crime" Philip Poulet, created a revolutionary technique in photographing rock climbing that became immensely popular. During this period of time, Jean-Michel designed advertising campaigns with climbing as a focus, while publishing his images in major European publications such as Le Figaro, VSD, Stern, Globe, and Paris Match. His creative sense subsequently led him to become a producer and a writer for the motion pictures industry and other prestigious publications.

However, it was the Eiffel Tower climb that launched his career in the entertainment industry. With several black belts in Martial Arts and a long history in the field of rock climbing, he is still regarded by the French and Hollywood stunt community as one of the premier rock climbing, rigging and stage fighting specialists.

Jean-Michel's interest in the motion pictures industry led him to seek work as a stunt man, stunt coordinator and 2nd unit director for TV series and reality shows. With his original ideas and uniquely combined athletic skills, Mr. Casanova helped infamous comedy talk-shows become the highest rated in television history in France. His new passion led him to pursue a stunt-career in France and later to relocate to LA. He has worked on syndicated TV productions such as Caroline in the City, The X-Files, and Dharma & Greg, as well as on many independent films and commercials. His new 5-14 challenge includes merging his talents in the world of climbing, photography and martial arts with his passion for film, to produce two documentaries and a live-action feature film.

UCMAG homage to Jean-Michel:
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