Criss Angel Biography

Magician, mystifier, musician, stunt man, actor, and author are just some of the labels that can be used to introduce Criss Angel. Easily deserving mention among the more unique artists of our time, Criss Angel certainly has amassed quite a large and devoted following, which makes Criss Angel tickets a hot commodity. His 2007 book, Mindfreak: Secret Revelations, only managed to become a Los Angeles Times bestseller, and it's just one of many feathers in the cap of this sensationally hard-working performer. A modern-day Houdini some might call him, Criss Angel is pushing the limits when it comes to the world of magic. His collection of awards surely gives testament to that, and there is little doubt that Houdini himself would be proud were he alive today.

Many know Criss Angel best for his television show, "Criss Angel Mindfreak", which first aired on the A&E network in 2005. However, this wildy popular show certainly doesn't mark the beginning of Criss's illustrious career. The Criss Angel biography shows that even as a youth, Criss was already well on his way to honing his many talents. Born Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos, on December 19, 1967, Criss Angel grew up in East Meadow, Long Island, New York. At around 6 years of age, Criss began to take considerable interest in a range of art forms, and when he wasn't playing the drums in his spare time, he was likely fine-tuning the magic tricks that an aunt of his used to teach him. By the time Criss was a teen, he was gaining valuable "on stage" experience, performing magic at a range of private events. At the age of 18, he would go on to get his pyrotechnics license, and slowly, but surely, Criss began working his way up the performing ranks. In 1998, Angel performed at the World of Illusion at Madison Garden, and his career would begin to make its move to the fast track from there.

Not long after the World of Illusion show, Criss Angel scored an off Broadway show, which was the first to apply the title of "Criss Angel Mindfreak". This show was extremely popular, often doing well to sell plenty of advance tickets. After 600 performances, the Criss Angel Mindfreak Broadway show wrapped things up on January 6, 2003. The groundwork was thus officially laid out for the soon-to-come Criss Angel Mindfreak television program. This show, which features Criss performing a range of magic tricks from simple, slight of hand routines, to extreme magical stunts, has been a huge hit worldwide. The DVD's from its first two seasons have been the A&E network's top all-time DVD sellers. As mentioned earlier, Criss Angel has been well-awarded for all of his hard work and imagination. Not only was he named the Magician of the Year in 2001, 2004, and 2005, but also in 2007, and 2008. Not too shabby. He would also claim the coveted 22nd Louie Award, which recognizes achievements in the art of magic. Interestingly enough, Criss holds a few world records. Among them the quickest straight-jacket escape and the longest body suspension. The former of which he managed in just 2 minutes and 30 seconds, and the latter of which he endured for 5 hours and 42 minutes.

One might think that with all the work that Criss puts into his television show, he's filmed some 70 episodes and counting, that he would either be too tired, or simply unable to find the time to work on anything else. But a commitment to his craft and to his fans are areas in which Criss truly shines. He has appeared on countless radio and television programs, the likes of which are too many to list here, released a handful of music CD's, managed to do a number of television specials, and has even found the time for book signings and other public appearances. Among his most recent gigs has been as a judge on the NBC network's "PHENOMENOM", in which he stars with the famed, and oft-controversial mentalist and performer, Uri Gellar. Criss has also recently signed on to play the role of Mandrake The Magician in an upcoming movie. However, it just might be the soon-to-arrive Criss Angel Believe show in Las Vegas that fans are most anxious to receive.

The Criss Angel Believe show will mix the magic, mystique, and imagination of Criss, with the spectacle, rapture, and creativity of Cirque Du Soleil. It shall be something of a Vegas smash, that’s for sure, and it debuts at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in 2008. Dubbed as, "A Haunting Journey Inside the Mind of Criss Angel", the Criss Angel Believe show will give fans the chance to see Criss like never before, and chances are, it will make fans out of those who knew little, or nothing about him before going in. Whatever Criss Angel does, he does it to the best of his abilities, and when you couple his talents and vision with those of Cirque Du Soleil, you have a most ideal recipe for success. It is safe to assume that the Luxor Hotel and Casino is excitedly gearing up for what promises to be one of the most popular Las Vegas shows on tap. After all, one would have to consider Criss Angel a magical King Midas of sorts. Everything he touches, should it not disappear as part of his act, surely turns to gold.