Criss Angel

Criss Angel
Angel in 2010
Born
Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos

(1967-12-19) December 19, 1967 (age 56)
Hempstead, New York, US
Occupation(s)Magician, entertainer, musician, TV personality
Years active1994–present[1]
Spouse
JoAnn Winkhart
​
(m. 2002⁠–⁠2005)​
PartnerShaunyl Benson (2012–present)
Children3
Websitecrissangel.com

Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos (Greek: Χριστόφορος Νικόλαος Σαραντάκος; born December 19, 1967),[2] known professionally as Criss Angel, is an American magician, illusionist and musician. He is often referred to as one of the world's most successful illusionists, generating in excess of $150 million in tourism revenue for Las Vegas in one year.[3]

Angel began his career in New York City, before moving his base of operations to the Las Vegas Valley. He is known for starring in the hit television show MINDFREAK and the stage show Criss Angel MINDFREAK LIVE! (previously Criss Angel Believe) at the Luxor casino in Las Vegas.[3] Following his departure from The Luxor after a decade-long run, Angel opened the new MINDFREAK show in the Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. He also produced and starred in the TV series Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars on CW, Criss Angel BeLIEve on Spike TV, a one-hour special Trick'd on A&E, and the reality competition show Phenomenon on NBC.

He also holds multiple world records made during his magic performances, and was named Magician of the Decade in 2009,[4] Magician of the Century in 2010[5] by the International Magicians Society. In 2017, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[6] Vanish magazine awarded him the "Greatest of All Time" award in 2019.[7] In addition to his career as an illusionist, Angel was the lead singer for his industrial band Angeldust, which released five albums. He also authored the book Mindfreak: Secret Revelations.

  1. ^ "Criss Angel - Television Personality, Magician - Biography". Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference LVSbio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b "Criss Angel to close 'Believe' to launch 'Mindfreak Live!' at Luxor". March 17, 2016. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  4. ^ "Criss Angel is named Magician of the Decade; Mindfreak starts up in May". LasVegasWeekly.com. Retrieved June 15, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Luxor headliner Criss Angel is named Magician of the Century". LasVegasSun.com. April 28, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  6. ^ Blair, Iain (July 20, 2017). "Criss Angel Reflects on His Magical Career as He Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame". Variety.
  7. ^ Miller, Cody (February 23, 2019). "Criss Angel awarded 'Greatest of All Time' during MINDFREAK". KSNV.