Criss Angel—born Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos—redefined what it means to be a TV magician and illusionist in the modern entertainment industry. Angel’s journey is a spectacle of stage magic, street magic, and death-defying stunts that amazed the audience of the hit television show Criss Angel Mindfreak, questioning incredible illusions.
Unlike the masked magician who revealed street magic, stage magic tricks, and theater illusions on television, Criss Angel built his reputation by pushing the boundaries of what illusionists and conjurors can present, both in the theater and on the streets.
Known for his novel levitation illusion, dramatic escape artist feats, and headline-grabbing publicity stunts, Angel’s magic tricks have become a phenomenon, drawing crowds to his Criss Angel Mindfreak shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, and earning him a dedicated theater at Planet Hollywood. The illusionist's performances, the mindfreak magic show, blend classic magic with modern technology, making Criss Angel one of the most influential entertainers of the early 2000s.
You're probably wondering what happened to Criss Angel. We'll answer the following questions: Is Criss Angel still performing? Where is Criss Angel now? Does the magician still perform and do shows?
In 2008, Criss Angel walked on water. He escaped from a straitjacket in Times Square, sawed himself in half, and levitated in the Luxor Hotel’s famous beam. Despite the fact that his heyday is more than a decade in the rearview mirror, when a layperson is asked to name a magician, they say Criss Angel. But without a major TV special or show, what has he been doing? What happened to Criss Angel?
Who is Criss Angel?
Criss Angel is easily one of the most popular magicians in America. He rose to stardom with his TV show, Criss Angel: Mindfreak, which aired for five years on A&E from 2005-2010. While there’s room in the zeitgeist for multiple comedians or actors, the world anoints only a few famous magicians–a Mount Rushmore currently occupied by David Copperfield, David Blaine, Penn and Teller, and Criss Angel.
Does Criss Angel Still Perform Magic?
Angel currently headlines his own show in Vegas named after his TV show, Criss Angel: Mindfreak at the Criss Angel theater at Planet Hollywood. The fact that he has a theater named after him is a display of his longevity. Vegas icons like David Copperfield and Penn and Teller share the same privilege, as does relative newcomer Mat Franco.
What Does Criss Angel Perform in his show?
Love him or hate him, Angel’s show is uniquely his. Mindfreak features tons of fire, dancers, and extremely loud music, with more than 50 tricks in his 90 minute show. For context, In and Of Itself, a modern classic that you can watch on Hulu, features only 6 tricks. While both shows are on the extreme in terms of the quantity of tricks, there are almost no working magicians who a)have a 90-minute show and b)are able to cram 50 tricks into it.
The show’s website suggests that Mindfreak will “overload your senses.” The show is clearly not for the faint of heart.
