Criss Angel

Criss Angel
Born	Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos (1967-12-19) December 19, 1967 Hempstead, Long Island, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Magician, illusionist, musician, author
Years active	1994–present
Known for	Criss Angel Mindfreak, Criss Angel Believe, Angeldust (band)

Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos (; born December 19, 1967), professionally recognized as Criss Angel, is an American entertainer specializing in magic, illusions, and music.

Angel began his professional journey in New York City before moving to the Las Vegas area. He rose to fame through the television program Criss Angel Mindfreak and the live production Criss Angel MINDFREAK LIVE! (initially titled Criss Angel Believe) at the Luxor casino in Las Vegas. After a decade-long residency at The Luxor, he launched the MINDFREAK show in a dedicated theater at Planet Hollywood. His television credits include Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars on CW, Criss Angel BeLIEve on Spike TV, the A&E special Trick'd, and NBC’s reality contest Phenomenon.

Angel has earned several world records through his acts and was honored as Magician of the Decade in 2009 and Magician of the Century in 2010 by the International Magicians Society. In 2017, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2019, Vanish magazine named him the "Greatest of All Time." Besides magic, Angel served as lead vocalist for the industrial band Angeldust, which produced five albums, and authored the book Mindfreak: Secret Revelations.

Early life

Born on December 19, 1967, at Hempstead General Hospital in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, Criss Angel is of Greek heritage. He spent his early years in Elmont before relocating to East Meadow, New York during fourth grade. His father, John Sarantakos, operated a restaurant and doughnut shop. Inspired by illusionist Harry Houdini at age seven, Angel cultivated an interest in magic. After practicing for five years, he debuted before an audience at age 12, earning $10. By 14, he was performing in East Meadow restaurants such as the Wine Gallery. One of his initial major illusions involved levitating his mother within their family den. Early in his career, animal breeder and reality TV personality Marc Morrone assisted Angel with sourcing and training doves for his performances.

Upon graduating from East Meadow High School, Angel opted to pursue magic professionally rather than attend college. According to the Biography Channel, he toured with traveling shows while independently studying magic history through public libraries and exploring areas like mysticism, music, martial arts, and dance.

Early career

Angel has stated that during his youth he avoided contact with other magicians to develop a unique style rather than emulate existing ones. His television debut occurred in 1994 with a performance on Secrets, a one-hour ABC primetime special. Early encouragement came from horror filmmaker Clive Barker, who invited Angel to contribute to his 1995 film Lord of Illusions and recorded an introduction for Angel’s album World of Illusion: System One. Barker described Angel as "extraordinary" and "a spectacular blend of visionary magic."

In 1995, Angel teamed up with musician Klayton to create Angeldust, merging elements of magic and music. They released Musical Conjurings from the World of Illusions in 1998. That same year, Angel performed a brief 10-minute set during the "World of Illusion" conference at Madison Square Garden, presenting as many as 60 shows daily. By 2000, Klayton had ended his collaboration with Angel.

Angel appeared in the 1997 television film The Science of Magic and its sequel in 2003. His first TV series, Criss Angel Mindfreak, originated from an off-Broadway production adopted by the World Underground Theatre in 2001. The show ran for over 600 performances until 2003 at Times Square’s World Underground Theater. Additionally, Angel set a world record by remaining underwater inside a tank for 24 hours—a stunt highlighted in his debut TV special.

Angel publicly rejects claims of mediumship, asserting that purported communication with spirits is fraudulent and pledging to expose such deception regardless of personal relationships involved.

Water confinement stunt in Times Square (2002)

In August 2002, Angel endured a 24-hour ordeal submerged and shackled inside a water-filled cell roughly the size of a phone booth, located in New York's Times Square. Drawing inspiration from escape legend Harry Houdini, this challenge was hosted by the World Underground Theatre, operated by WWE. To prepare, Angel practiced in a neighbor’s backyard pool in East Meadow, New York, where he had only previously managed to hold his breath for 12 hours underwater. He fasted for a full day before the stunt and utilized 16 oxygen tanks throughout the performance. Upon completion, he freed himself from all shackles and chains before exiting the tank. Shortly after, his skin showed intense adverse reactions to prolonged water exposure.

Ted Shaffrey recounted the finale: Angel disconnected his air supply, assistants draped the 220-gallon tank with a black curtain, and he escaped from the restraints before emerging with a triumphant yell. His skin appeared wrinkled and his eyes bloodshot; he was subsequently treated for severe dehydration at St. Clare's Hospital. During the stunt, Angel experienced overheating, jaw muscle strain, and near loss of consciousness.

Television specials and promotional events (2002–2005)

On October 20, 2002, Angel headlined an ABC Family special titled Criss Angel Mindfreak: Postmodern illusionist, an hour-long homage to Houdini. This program was rebroadcast on December 24, 2002, on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, where it was distinguished by its edgier and darker tone compared to other magicians. The centerpiece was Angel’s modern reinterpretation of Houdini’s underwater escape.

On October 31, 2003, the Sci-Fi Channel aired Supernatural, a one-hour special showcasing Angel performing feats such as scaling building exteriors, passing a coin through his skin, and spontaneous combustion. Angel took on multiple roles including executive producer, director, creator, and composer for both his television specials and live shows. This special also featured him igniting fire with his hands and producing a tarantula from inside a soda can. Additionally, in 2003 he appeared in the two-hour TBS special Made in Japan.

In early 2003, Angel appeared at Miller Lite’s rebranding event held in Milwaukee on the anniversary of Houdini’s final performance there. Suspended ten stories above ground while confined in a straitjacket, he escaped live before the audience. He also performed an illusion at Ozzfest in 2005. During this timeframe, Angel generated substantial income from merchandise sales bearing his signature—reportedly up to $50,000 daily.

Criss Angel Mindfreak television series

In 2005, Criss Angel developed, directed, and executive produced the A&E Network series Criss Angel Mindfreak, which began production in January of that year. The first two seasons were filmed at The Aladdin hotel in Las Vegas; Season 3 was shot at the Luxor Las Vegas. Debuting on July 20, 2005, the series featured illusions including walking atop water surfaces, levitation acts, ascending the Luxor Hotel’s exterior walls, floating between buildings, vanishing a Lamborghini, surviving a C4 explosion crate detonation, sawing himself in half, and being crushed by a steamroller over broken glass.

Following its initial broadcast season, DVDs were released including a Halloween special plus two additional episodes on a separate disc. The second season premiered in May 2006 and was recognized by Tulsa World as one of the best summer programs. Renewed for a third season in July 2006, it became A&E’s highest-rated show with viewership exceeding 1.5 million. To promote it that year, Angel executed a high-profile stunt in Times Square involving escape from a cube encased in concrete. Magic effects designer Sean Field described Angel as "the biggest name in magic since Houdini," crediting him with reshaping modern perceptions of magic entertainment. The show also gained significant popularity across Asian markets such as China.

Criss Angel Mindfreak played a key role in reigniting mainstream interest in magic during the mid-2000s and was notable as the first weekly magic television series produced in four decades. Daily Variety lauded its spectacular illusions alongside Angel’s charismatic presence while highlighting his inventive approach and family involvement.

Running through 2010, Angel logged more prime-time television hours than any other magician during that period. The program incorporated séances as well as educational segments aimed at helping viewers recognize scams and cons.

In July 2008, Angel performed an escape illusion at a seaside hotel scheduled for demolition before an audience of approximately 50,000; this event was broadcast on his show. He later disclosed how he picked handcuffs, shattered windows, and unlocked several doors to facilitate his escape. Although initially planned to exit via rooftop ladder prior to collapse, he ultimately emerged from beneath rubble following detonation. The entire sequence had only four minutes to complete with explosives placed across multiple floors.

Stage production

In 2006, Criss Angel collaborated with Cirque du Soleil to create the theatrical production Criss Angel Believe (stylized as "Criss Angel BeLIEve"), which debuted at the Luxor Las Vegas on September 26, 2008. Funded by Luxor's parent company, MGM Mirage, with an investment of $100 million, it quickly became the highest-grossing live magic performance globally. The title pays homage to Harry Houdini’s use of the term "believe" as a secret code for communication beyond death.

Following multiple postponements, the official gala premiere took place on October 31, 2008, preceded by preview performances in late September coinciding with the 82nd anniversary of Houdini’s passing. Early showings elicited mixed feedback and critiques from publications such as the Las Vegas Sun, Los Angeles Times, and Las Vegas Review-Journal, which pointed out a scarcity of hallmark illusions and an ambiguous storyline. Reviewers suggested that neither Angel nor Cirque du Soleil fully realized their potential in the production. Conversely, some observers lauded it as an artistic experience surpassing conventional magic shows.

In April 2009, during a live performance, Angel publicly disparaged blogger Perez Hilton after Hilton posted negative comments about the show online; Cirque du Soleil subsequently issued an apology for Angel’s conduct.

By 2010, critics acknowledged enhancements as the production scaled back narrative components and concentrated more on magical feats. In 2011, the Toronto Star described it as "the most thrilling act currently on stage in Vegas." That same year, Believe reportedly generated approximately $150 million in ticket revenue. The show continued running until 2019 and retained its status as Las Vegas's best-selling magic attraction through at least 2013.

In 2019, Angel introduced "Mindfreak Live" at Planet Hollywood, where he presently performs five evenings weekly.

Television series

October 2013 marked the fifth anniversary of the stage show alongside the premiere of the cable television series Criss Angel BeLIEve on Spike TV. The inaugural season consisted of 11 hour-long episodes featuring 118 illusions and guest appearances by celebrities including Ludacris, Ice-T, Randy Couture, and Shaquille O'Neal. Angel explained that the three-year hiatus since Mindfreak was due to dedicating time to the live Cirque production, which had become the world’s top-selling magic show by ticket sales and repeat attendance. Buoyed by this success, he returned to television, selecting Spike as the optimal outlet. Endemol secured international distribution rights, with the series becoming Spike’s highest-rated new original program in over a year and a half.

One episode titled "Lord of Illusions — Death Premonition" saw Angel replicate the finale stunt from Clive Barker’s film, lying beneath six swords suspended in a circle while predicting their sequence of descent to avoid injury. This performance was conducted with Barker’s authorization, making Angel the first magician officially permitted to reproduce this act.

Another episode filmed in New York City showcased a perilous escape involving straitjackets, a noose, and heavy metal weights. Due to concerns about crowd management, NYPD requested that no advance announcements be made. Although successful, Angel sustained torn shoulder muscles requiring surgery in January 2014. This injury necessitated a temporary suspension of the Believe stage show until April 2014; during his recovery period, Angel presented a new stage production featuring other magicians.

Segments from BeLIEve became some of YouTube's most viewed magic videos, accumulating over 15 million views. The series also disclosed certain illusion techniques, such as revealing the predetermined order of swords in "Lord of Illusions," alongside behind-the-scenes commentary on refining the trick to minimize mistakes.

Phenomenon

Beginning in October 2007, Angel took on the role of judge on the television series Phenomenon, sharing the panel with Uri Geller. In an interview with CNN, he expressed his intention to debunk any purported supernatural or psychic feats presented on the program, underscoring his critical stance.

During the October 31, 2007 episode, paranormal investigator Jim Callahan attempted a ritual to disclose the contents of a sealed box. While Geller commended the performance, Angel dismissed it as "laughable" and issued a challenge to both Callahan and Geller to identify the contents of two envelopes he produced, promising a reward of one million dollars for a correct guess. This confrontation escalated, with Callahan labeling Angel an "ideological bigot" before being physically separated.

Angel later disclosed that one envelope held an index card inscribed with "911," alluding to September 11, 2001, to illustrate the significance of genuine foresight. The contents of the second envelope were slated for revelation during Season 4 of Criss Angel: Mindfreak.

Criss Angel Magicjam

Serving as a temporary successor to Believe, Criss Angel Magicjam was staged at the Luxor Theatre. The production showcased talents including Las Vegas comedy-illusionist Nathan Burton, premier mentalist Banachek, female magician Krystyn Lambert, grandmaster manipulators Jason Byrne and Tony Clarke, close-up artist Armando Vera, and magic comedian Russ Merlin. Conceived and directed by Criss Angel himself, the show incorporated approximately 40 minutes featuring Angel’s personal illusions. In January 2014, Angel announced intentions to embark on a North American tour with Magicjam during the summer of that year. Critics lauded the production for its dynamic energy and astonishing magical feats.

Touring show

In 2014, Angel introduced Mindfreak LIVE!, a touring stage production highlighting his hallmark illusions that garnered favorable critiques. The illusions were developed within Angel’s expansive 60,000-square-foot illusion laboratory located in Las Vegas. This global tour marked Angel’s first live stage tour in six years, debuting at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut in November 2014.

Planet Hollywood residency

Capitalizing on the touring show's success, Angel declared that his Mindfreak stage show would transition into a residency at the Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas. Initially scheduled from Wednesday through Sunday in the Criss Angel Theater, the residency had a soft opening in December 2018 followed by an official launch in January 2019. John Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Review-Journal remarked that the production "redefined what audiences expect from a magic show," emphasizing its integration of special effects, pyrotechnics, and cutting-edge technology. The residency remained ongoing as of 2023, with performances resuming on March 1, 2023.

The Supernaturalists

Debuting in June 2015 at The Fox Theater within Foxwoods Resort Casino, The Supernaturalists was conceived, directed, and executive produced by Angel. The ensemble cast includes illusionist Landon Swank, magician Krystyn Lambert, escape artist Spencer Horsman, mentalist Banachek, dog conjurer Johnny Dominguez, magician Stefan, and close-up artist Adrian Vega. Robin Leach praised it as a "mind-blowing magic spectacle" that received widespread acclaim. Angel described this show as the result of a decade’s worth of development since 2005 and designed as an international touring production featuring innovative illusions from each performer.

Variety show appearances and guest roles

Angel has been featured in a wide range of special television guest spots, notably appearing as a guest star on WWE Raw on March 8, 2010. He also made an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, including the premiere of its 24th season, where he impressively guessed a number Winfrey had in mind between 1 and 100. His presence extended to numerous talk shows such as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Larry King Live, The Tonight Show, Late Show with David Letterman, and America's Got Talent. Angel’s acting credits include guest roles on series like CSI: NY, Las Vegas, and Rules of Engagement. In 2011, he appeared in a commercial for Orville Redenbacher Pop-Up Bowl popcorn. Additionally, Angel was featured in an episode of Hell's Kitchen (season 19, episode 12) and lent his voice to himself in the 2020 episode "One Fish Two Fish" of American Dad.

In May 2005, Angel introduced honoree Ozzy Osbourne at the VH1 Rock Honors, paying tribute to Osbourne’s early performances by biting the head off a bat. During the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, he performed an illusion as part of Britney Spears’s opening act and contributed to designing her stage production. Angel was engaged as the illusionist for the intended 2009 Michael Jackson concerts at the O2 arena before Jackson’s passing. In 2013, he made a cameo appearance in the film The Incredible Burt Wonderstone; notably, Jim Carrey’s character "Steve Gray" is reportedly inspired by Angel. A wax figure of Angel is also exhibited at the Madame Tussauds wax museum located in Las Vegas.

Music

Angel’s deep-rooted enthusiasm for music dates back to before his career as a magician. In 1989, he fronted the heavy metal band Angel and created a promo video for their song "Don't You Want My Love," which incorporated magic elements. In 1995, he partnered with industrial rock artist Klay Scott to form Angeldust, releasing their debut album Musical Conjurings from the World of Illusion in 1998. Follow-up albums include System 1, System 2, System 3, and the 2003 release Supernatural. His musical approach combines heavy metal with electronic and orchestral components designed to elicit powerful emotional responses. Angel also produced soundtracks for his TV show Mindfreak, collaborating with musicians from bands such as Korn and Godsmack.

Books

In 2007, Angel published Mindfreak: Secret Revelations through HarperEntertainment, which became a bestseller on the Los Angeles Times list. This 295-page volume chronicles his early career, memorable television performances, and personal insights, including detailed instructions for performing 40 Mindfreak illusions. The book also delves into his growth as an entertainer, magician, and musician while outlining his artistic vision and inspirations.

Internet

Since the late 2000s, Criss Angel has emerged as the most viewed magician online. By 2010, his video "Walk on Water" had amassed over 39 million views, increasing to more than 46 million by 2013. Early in 2013, his cumulative video views exceeded 200 million. Another highly viewed clip, "Rip Bodies Apart," from the debut of BeLIEve, attracted over twelve million views within its first month.

Merchandise

In 2010, Angel collaborated with IdeaVillage to introduce the Criss Angel Magic Collection. This set included six instructional Mindfreak Magic Tricks, a compilation of 250 tricks, and a magic kit designed for children. The launch was backed by a $50 million marketing campaign.

Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars

Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars began airing on The CW in late 2022 as a weekly series. The inaugural season showcased celebrities such as Donny Osmond, Randy Couture, and Michael Ian Black. Each episode features two celebrities who compete after training under Angel’s guidance, performing across three categories before a live audience. The judging panel consists of Angel, Loni Love, and Lance Burton.

Awards

Angel received the International Magician Society’s Magician of the Year honors in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008. He was also awarded "Magician of the Decade" in 2009 and "Magician of the Century" in 2010. As the 22nd recipient of the Louie Award for exceptional magic achievements, he has graced the covers of both Magic and Genii magazines. In 2008, he was among the first nominees for the Harry Houdini Award from the Harry Houdini Museum. Notably, Angel is the youngest magician inducted into the International Magician Society's Magic Hall of Fame and remains the sole individual to win the Merlin Magician of the Year award twice (in 2001 and 2004).

In 2011, he earned the Living Legend award from the World Magic Legacy Awards and became their youngest inductee into the International Magicians Society's Hall of Fame at age 43. On July 20, 2017, Angel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame situated near that of his childhood hero Harry Houdini. The International Brotherhood of Magicians presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in July 2018, making him only the sixth illusionist to be so honored. In 2022, Vanish Magic magazine crowned him "The Greatest of All Time" illusionist.

Body suspension (held 2002-2008)

In February 2002, Angel established a world record for longest body suspension by hanging for five hours and forty-two minutes in New York’s Times Square, supported by eight fishhooks. This record remained unbroken until 2008.

Others

Angel holds a Guinness World Record for making "The most people disappear in an illusion," having vanished one hundred individuals during a Believe show at the Luxor on May 26, 2010. Additionally, he set the fastest completion time for the "Metamorphosis" illusion at under one second.

Personal life

Angel married JoAnn Winkhart in 2002; their marriage ended in divorce four years later. In 2008, he briefly dated Holly Madison. He proposed to Sandra Gonzalez in 2011; however, they separated shortly thereafter. Since 2012, Angel has been in a relationship with Australian singer Shaunyl Benson; together they have three children born in 2014, 2019, and 2021. Their eldest child was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2015.

Angel partnered with Big Bear Choppers to create seven custom motorcycles featured on Criss Angel Mindfreak, and had a Harley Davidson custom-built by Orange County Choppers for the show's opening sequence. As a philanthropist, he founded the Believe Foundation and has received several honors from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, including their Chris Greicius Celebrity Award in 2007 and recognition as their most supportive celebrity in 2010. By 2016, Angel’s business enterprises were generating around $70 million annually.

External links

• Official site
• Criss Angel’s IMDb profile
• Criss Angel: Supernatural (TV special) SciFi.com, 2003