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Criss Angel

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Criss Angel is a prominent American magician, illusionist, and musician.

Headshot of Criss Angel
Headshot of Criss Angel

He is widely recognized for his unique, modern approach to magic that blends spectacle with pop culture. Angel has achieved significant professional recognition, including being named Magician of the Decade in 2009 and Magician of the Century in 2010 by the International Magicians Society. His influence is further marked by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, received in 2017, and the "Greatest of All Time" award from Vanish magazine in 2019. Through his television series and live shows, he has helped drive a global resurgence in the popularity of magic.

Angel's creative process is highly comprehensive, as he often manages multiple roles in his productions. He acts as an executive producer, director, and creator for his television specials. Beyond the visual illusions, he writes the music for both his live performances and his television work. This multi-disciplinary approach extends to his musical career, where he served as the lead singer for the industrial band Angeldust. The band released five albums, including the 1998 release, *Musical Conjurings from the World of Illusions*. By controlling the music, direction, and illusion design, Angel maintains a specific, visionary style.

His career is defined by several distinct stages of performance and media presence. He began with off-Broadway shows, such as the original *Mindfreak*, which ran for over 600 performances at the World Underground Theatre in Times Square between 2001 and 2003. This stage transitioned into massive television success with the A&E series *Criss Angel Mindfreak*, which premiered in 2005. The show featured various types of illusions, ranging from levitation and walking on water to more extreme stunts like surviving an exploding C4 crate. Later, he moved his live residency from the Luxor casino to the Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

Angel's path to professional magic began in New York, where he was born on December 19, 1967.

Criss Angel in front of audience
Criss Angel in front of audience

He developed an interest in the craft at age seven, drawing inspiration from the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini. By age 12, he was performing for audiences and earning $10 per show. By age 14, he was performing at restaurants in East Meadow, New York. Instead of attending college, he chose to pursue magic professionally. He spent much of his early career traveling with performance acts and studying the history of magic, mysticism, martial arts, and dance in public libraries.

One of the most significant moments in his career involved a record-breaking feat of endurance. In August 2002, Angel performed a 24-hour underwater escape in a phone-booth-sized water torture cell in Times Square.

Godsmack (555819489)
Godsmack (555819489)

To prepare, he practiced in a backyard swimming pool and fasted for 24 hours to avoid needing a bathroom. During the 24-hour period, he used 16 oxygen tanks while shackled in the 220-gallon (832-liter) chamber. This performance set a world record for the longest time a human was completely submerged under water. After the stunt, he was treated at St. Clare's Hospital for severe dehydration and overheating.

Angel's television work has reached massive audiences and diverse locations. His series *Mindfreak* became a top-rated show, reaching more than 1.5 million viewers by its third season. The show's popularity extended internationally, becoming a hit in parts of Asia, including China.

Criss Angel and Tommy Lee
Criss Angel and Tommy Lee

His television career includes various specials such as *Supernatural* on the Sci-Fi Channel and *Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars* on CW. These programs often featured high-stakes illusions, such as walking up the side of the Luxor Hotel using 39 focused lamps or escaping from a concrete cube suspended above Times Square.

Beyond entertainment, Angel's work connects to broader cultural and social discussions. He has used his platform to perform séances and illusions designed to educate audiences about con men. He actively discourages the belief in mediumship, stating that he intends to expose those who claim to communicate with the dead for profit. His career demonstrates how magic can evolve from traditional stagecraft into a complex, multi-media industry. By combining music, film, and extreme physical stunts, he has reshaped the modern image of the illusionist for a global audience.

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🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Criss Angel in front of audience.png
Criss Angel in front of audience.png
File:Godsmack (555819489).jpg
Godsmack (555819489).jpg
File:Headshot of Criss Angel.png
Headshot of Criss Angel.png
File:Criss Angel and Tommy Lee.jpg
Criss Angel and Tommy Lee.jpg
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