Criss Angel (MindFreak)

Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos (born December 19, 1967),better known by his stage name Criss Angel is an American of Greek descent. He is a magician, illusionist, musician, escapologist, and stunt performer. He is best known for starring in his own television show, Criss Angel Mindfreak.

Early life

Angel was raised in East Meadow, Long Island, New York. Angel's passions included music, playing drums, and of course, magic. His parents are John and Dimitra Sarantakos. His mother hails from Mystra, Greece. He has two brothers, Costa and JD. One of Angel's biggest influences has been his father, who died of cancer in 1998.

Magic career

Criss Angel performed World Of Illusion at Madison Square Garden in 1998. Criss then scored an off Broadway show titled "Criss Angel Mindfreak," which ran up until January 6, 2003 following a run of 600 performances at The World in The World Underground Theater in Times Square. He also starred in several television specials. Criss Angel won the Academy of Magical Arts' Magician of the Year award in 2005 and the IMS Magician of the year in 2001 and 2004.

He has even revealed the methods for many of his tricks to viewers at home on cinema and in videos, although the effects revealed are usually very simple such as making a toothpick disappear, picking a am cup float. Angel discusses magic and his life in Mindfreak: Secret Revelations (published April 24, 2007), which became a Los Angeles Times best seller.

Criss Angel Mindfreak

Criss Angel is the star and creator of the A&E Network show Criss Angel Mindfreak. Seasons 1 and 2 were filmed at the The Aladdin in Las Vegas, with Season 3 at the Luxor Hotel. Premiering on July 20, 2005, the illusions have included walking on water, levitating above the Luxor Hotel (in the light of 62 lightbulbs that can be seen from space), floating between two buildings, causing a Lamborghini to disappear, surviving in an exploding C4 Crate, cutting himself in half in full view of an audience and getting run over by a steamroller while lying stomach down on a bed of glass.Season 4 of Mindfreak debuted on July 23, 2008, and the show is scheduled to run for two more seasons after that.

He attempted to jump out of a prisoner transport vehicle before it fell off a cliff in season 3. Criss made it but, as revealed at the end of the episode, injured his neck. Production was stopped for two weeks while he recovered and Criss has sworn never to attempt this stunt again.

On July 30, 2008, Criss attempted his most dangerous and terrifying live demonstration yet. He was locked inside the Spyglass Hotel on Clearwater Beach with a plan to escape through multiple locked doors, and onto the roof, where a helicopter was waiting to lift him off of the building before it imploded. Criss got through all the doors with little trouble, but when he got to the last door before the roof he couldn't get it unlocked. The clock was running low, and the helicopter had to fly away, leaving Criss in the building with officially no way out. By the time that the clock ran out, all of the cameras in the building went dead, and the audience watched as the building imploded. After it had all happened, some people thought for sure that Criss was gone. Seconds later, he appeared in a completely different place than the debris of the building. It was later discovered, however, that the footage which appeared to be live was actually pre-recorded. When the countdown began, he actually ran into the building, and directly down the stairs, being safe the entire time.

Criss Angel Believe

Criss Angel has signed on to perform with Cirque Du Soleil at the Luxor hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The gala premiere will be on October 10th, 2008 at 7:00 pm. He has signed with Cirque to perform for 10 years (4,600 performances) with a renewal contract after 5 years. The show is aptly titled, "Believe".

Other projects

Criss has just signed for a film version of the depression-era comic strip Mandrake The Magician. Written by Lee Falk, the story centers on a magician with hypnotic powers and a penchant for fighting mad scientists and criminal king-pins. Criss' role is Mandrake's father. Mandrake has started shooting in March of this year.