Criss Angel Bio | Wiki
Criss Angel (Full Name: Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos) is a popular American magician, illusionist, and musician. He started his career in New York City, prior to moving his base of operations to the Las Vegas Valley. Criss is known for starring in the television and stage show Criss Angel Mindfreak and his former live performance illusion show Criss Angel Believe in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil at the Luxor casino in Las Vegas.
His show generated $150 million in tourist revenue to Las Vegas in 2010 but has since been replaced by Mindfreak LIVE! in 2016 (the show is partly produced by Cirque du Soleil; however, the directive rights are entirely with Criss Angel). Criss also starred in the television series Criss Angel BeLIEve on Spike TV, the reality-competition television show Phenomenon on NBC, as well as the 2014 stage show Criss Angel Magicjam.
Chris also holds many world records made during his magic performances and became named Magician of the Decade in 2009 and Magician of the Century in 2010 by the International Magicians Society. In addition to Criss’ career as an illusionist, he was the lead singer for his industrial band Angeldust, which released five albums. He also wrote the book Mindfreak: Secret Revelations.
Criss Angel Age
Criss was born on December 19, 1967, in Hempstead, on Long Island, New York, in the United States. He is 56 years old. Criss celebrates his birthday on December 19, every year.
Criss Angel Height
He is a man of above-average stature. Criss stands at a height of 6 ft 2 in (Approx 1.88 m).
Criss Angel Family
He was born at Hempstead General Hospital in Hempstead, on Long Island, New York. Criss is of Greek descent. Criss was raised in Elmont until fourth grade when his family moved to East Meadow, New York. His dad, John Sarantakos, owned a restaurant and doughnut shop. His mother is Dimitra Sarantakos. Criss developed an interest in magic at age seven and performed his first show at age 12, for which he was paid $10. Criss has two brothers, Costa and J.D. Harry Houdini was his main early influence.
Criss Angel Wife
Criss is married to his wife Shaunyl Benson an Australian singer. The two started dating in 2012. Criss and Shaunyl Benson have two sons, Johnny Crisstopher born in 2014, Xristos Yanni Sarantakos born in 2019, and a daughter Illusia Angelina Sarantakos born in 2021.
Before, Criss was married to JoAnn Winkhart. The pair married in 2002 and filed for divorce in 2005. In November 2008, Criss started dating Holly Madison, the former girlfriend of Hugh Hefner. Their relationship ended in February 2009. Chris also proposed to Sandra Gonzalez on September 7, 2011, in Cabo San Lucas during a sunset dinner. The two broke up shortly after.
Criss Angel Son
He and his wife Shaunyl Benson have two sons, Johnny Crisstopher born in 2014, and Xristos Yanni Sarantakos born in 2019.
Criss Angel Education
After graduating from East Meadow High School, Criss decided to pursue a career as a professional magician instead of attending college as his parents wanted. Criss attempted to further his education on his own by studying the history of magic in public libraries. In addition, Criss also studied the art of mysticism, music, martial arts, and even dance.”
Criss Angel In Las Vegas
He started his career in New York City, prior to moving his base of operations to the Las Vegas Valley. In 2005, Criss became the creator, director, and executive producer of the A&E Network show Criss Angel Mindfreak and entered production in January. Its seasons 1 and 2 were filmed at The Aladdin in Las Vegas, with Season 3 at the Luxor Las Vegas.
In 2010, the Las Vegas Sun critic John Katsilometes, following being unimpressed by the initial show, said Believe had improved by decreasing the narrative elements and focusing on the magic. In 2011, the Toronto Star wrote: “The show is easily the most exciting thing now on stage in Vegas!” That year the show attracted an estimated $150 million in ticket sales. This show ran through 2019 and became the best-selling magic show in Las Vegas as of 2013.
Criss Angel Mindfreak
In 2014, Criss premiered the stage show Mindfreak LIVE! This touring show features illusions from Criss himself, which received positive reviews. The demonstrations used in the show were developed in Criss’ illusion laboratory in Las Vegas, located in a 60,000-square-foot warehouse. Criss’ international touring with the show marked the first time that Criss had traveled with his show in about six years. This premiere show of the performance happened at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut in November 2014.
Criss Angel Magic | Magician
He has said that he stayed away from magicians when he was younger because he didn’t want to think like them and wanted to create his own style.” Criss’ first television appearance was in 1994 when Criss performed as a part of a one-hour ABC primetime special entitled Secrets. One of the early supporters of Criss was horror director Clive Barker. In 1995, Barker asked Criss to work with him on his film Lord of Illusions. Barker also afterward recorded the intro to Criss’ album World of Illusion: System One.
During that year, Criss collaborated with musician Klayton to form Angeldust, a show that combined magic with music. The two released their first album Musical Conjurings from the World of Illusions in 1998. Also that year, Criss performed a 10-minute show over the course of the “World of Illusion” conference in Madison Square Garden, performing 60 shows per day. However, by 2000, Klayton’s name was removed from Criss’ website.
Criss also starred in the 1997 television movie The Science of Magic and its 2003 sequel The Science of Magic II. Criss Angel Mindfreak, which would later become Criss’ first television series, became originally an off-Broadway show by Criss, which in 2001 was picked up by the World Underground Theatre. When not performing the show, Criss worked the streets promoting the show to pedestrians. His show ran for more than 600 performances between 2001 and 2003 at the World Underground Theater in Times Square. Criss’ 24 hours in a tank of water set a world record for the longest amount of time for a human to become completely submerged under water.
Criss Angel Restaurant
His dad, John Sarantakos, owned a restaurant and doughnut shop. By age 14, Criss was performing throughout high school at restaurants in East Meadow, including the Wine Gallery.
Criss Angel Net Worth
Criss gets his wealth from his work as a magician, illusionist, and musician. Therefore, Criss has accumulated a decent fortune over the years. Criss’ estimated net worth is $50 million.
How Tall Is Criss Angel
Criss is a man of above-average stature who stands at a height of 6 ft 2 in (Approx 1.88 m).
How Old Is Criss Angel
Criss is a 56-year-old who was born on December 19, 1967, in Hempstead, on Long Island, New York, in the United States.
Is Criss Angel Married
Yes. Criss married his wife Shaunyl Benson an Australian singer. The two started dating in 2012. Criss and Shaunyl Benson have two sons, Johnny Crisstopher born in 2014, Xristos Yanni Sarantakos born in 2019, and a daughter Illusia Angelina Sarantakos born in 2021.
Criss Angel Social Media Handles
Twitter – @CrissAngel
Instagram – crissangel