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Criss Angel is a very well known magician, based in the U.S.

He has been on prime time television more hours than any other magician in the States.

Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos, known professionally as Criss Angel, was born on December 19, 1967, in Hempstead, New York, to Greek-American parents, John and Dimitra Sarantakos. Raised in East Meadow, Long Island, alongside his two brothers, Costa and J.D., Angel grew up in a family that valued hard work, influenced by his father’s success as a restaurant and doughnut shop owner. His passion for magic ignited at age seven when his aunt Stella taught him a card trick, sparking a lifelong obsession.

By age 12, Angel performed his first paid magic show at a neighbor’s birthday party for $10, marking the start of a career that would redefine modern illusionism.

Angel’s early years were shaped by self-discipline and a relentless pursuit of uniqueness. Instead of attending college, he chose to tour with traveling performance acts, studying the history of magic in public libraries and exploring mysticism, martial arts, music, and dance. Determined to forge his own style, he avoided traditional magicians, saying, “I stayed away from magicians when I was younger because I didn’t want to think like them.” His influences included legendary illusionist Harry Houdini and Richiardi Jr., whose dramatic flair inspired Angel’s boundary-pushing performances. He also developed physical prowess, earning a 7th-degree black belt and training in dance and gymnastics, which later enhanced his physically demanding stunts.

In 1994, Angel made his television debut on ABC’s primetime special Secrets, showcasing his innovative approach. His unique style caught the attention of horror director Clive Barker, who collaborated with Angel on the 1995 film Lord of Illusions and recorded the intro for Angel’s album World of Illusion: System One. By 1998, Angel’s reputation grew with a grueling 12-day performance at the World of Illusion convention at Madison Square Garden. That same year, he launched his off-Broadway show Criss Angel Mindfreak at the World Underground Theater in Times Square, performing over 600 shows until 2003. This success laid the groundwork for his move to Las Vegas, where he would become a global phenomenon.

In 2005, Angel transformed Mindfreak into a groundbreaking A&E reality series, Criss Angel Mindfreak, filmed primarily at the Aladdin and Luxor hotels in Las Vegas. The show, running until 2010, featured jaw-dropping illusions like walking on water, levitating strangers, and jumping from a moving car. Viewed by over 100 million people in 90 countries, it became the most successful magic show in television history. Angel’s blend of street magic, shock value, and heavy metal aesthetics redefined the genre. He also set world records, including the longest time submerged underwater (24 hours) and the fastest straight-jacket escape (2 minutes, 30 seconds).

In 2006, Angel partnered with Cirque du Soleil to create Criss Angel Believe at the Luxor Las Vegas, a $100 million production that premiered in 2008. Despite initial mixed reviews for its heavy narrative, the show was refined to focus on magic, becoming the world’s bestselling live magic show by 2013, generating $150 million in ticket sales in 2011 alone. The show’s name drew from Houdini’s codeword “believe,” reflecting Angel’s fascination with the escape artist. In 2019, Angel transitioned to Mindfreak Live at Planet Hollywood, where he continues to perform five nights a week.

Beyond magic, Angel is a musician, having fronted the industrial band Angeldust, releasing five albums between 1998 and 2003. He authored the bestseller Mindfreak: Secret Revelations and produced soundtracks for his shows. a 2017 Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and Vanish magazine’s “Greatest of All Time” award in 2019.

On a personal note, Angel faced challenges, including his son Johnny’s 2015 leukemia diagnosis, prompting him to found the Criss Angel HELP charity. He has been married twice, to JoAnn Winkhart (2002–2006) and Shaunyl Benson, with whom he has two sons. His Las Vegas residencies, television specials, and tours continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Here is the link to his Wikipedia page for the full details:

Wikipedia Criss Angel