Criss Angel
Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos ( born December 19, 1967 in East Meadow, Long Iceland, New York ), better known by his stage name Criss Angel, is an American magician, musician, illusionist, hypnotist, escapologist, stunt man and actor. He is mainly known for his television show Criss Angel Mindfreak.
The Early Years
Criss Angel was raised in East Meadow, Long Iceland, New York and is of Greek descent. His parents are John and Dimitra Sarantakos. His mother is from Mystra, Greece. During his youth, he loved music, had a soft spot for his drums and has always been interested in animation art. He has two brothers, Costa and JD. His father, who died of stomach cancer, it had a great influence.
According to an interview with Larry King, which took place before Halloween in 2007, he was an altar boy in his youth, the Greek Orthodox Church.
Criss Angel was interested in at the age of six years for magic, when his Aunt Stella showed him a card trick. Two of his biggest idols are Harry Houdini and Aldo Richiardi. As a teenager, he performed at birthday parties, in nightclubs and at private parties and at home to entertain his family. His first trick teacher was Ian Wagner.
Angel playing with his friend Klayton ( Celldweller, Argyle Park ) who co-produced the album of the show Mindfreak and planning the music selection for the mission supported, AngelDust in Elektronik-/Crossover-Band.
Career as a magician
Criss Angel led World Of Illusion at Madison Square Garden in 1998 to. How Criss in an interview with Montell Williams in September 2007 mentioned, he financed himself a 2001 Broadway show titled " Criss Angel Mindfreak ," which in 2003 reached 600 performances at The World in The World Underground Theater in Times Square to January 6. Additionally, he has appeared in some TV shows.
Criss Angel won the "Magician of the Year " award from the Academy of Magical Arts in 2005.
He has published even for spectators the methods of many of his tricks, even though the published tricks are very simple, such as a toothpick disappear, stealing purse or levitate a Styrofoam cup. Angel discusses magic and his life in Mindfreak: Secret Revelations ( published April 24, 2007), which is a bestseller of the Los Angeles Times was.
Since autumn 2008, its new, based on illusions Cirque du Soleil production runs at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. Angel has recently announced that there are plans to make this show run for ten years, scheduled 4600 performances with a possible extension of the contract by five years.
From October 24 to November 21, 2007 was broadcast in America on NBC's Phenomenon, a show in which Criss Angel and Uri Geller examined the next great mentalist.
Criss Angel Mindfreak
Other Projects
Angel played in the 18th episode of the third season of CSI: NY " The sawed virgin" ( " Sleight out of hand" ) the Magician " Luke Blade", his assistants die in unusual ways that have strangely enough similarities to his illusions, the he shows in the episode. in the episode he showed three illusions ( to be sawn, are lit and a version of his " Submerged " illusion ).
Music career
Criss played in the band Angeldust which the album Musical Conjurings from the World of Illusion brought out in 1998. As a solo artist he brought as " Criss Angel " out even more CDs.
Discography
- 2000: System 1 in the Trilogy
- 2000: System 2 in the Trilogy
- 2000: System 3 in the Trilogy
- 2002: Criss Angel Supernatural
- 2006: Criss Angel Mindfreak
- 2008: Criss Angel Believe