Who is Criss Angel?

I first learned of Criss Angel when he did a Halloween magic special in 2002 - Criss Angel Mindfreak - on ABC Family. Since then, I've been a fan. However, only recently did I take the plunge and become a loyal. Loyals are special Criss fans, many of whom are very protective of their 'Angel.' Some have been with him since his humble beginnings in New York.

But, let's go back to Criss' story.

Criss Angel was born in East Meadow, Long Island on December 19, 1967. His birth name is Christopher N. Sarantakos. He's the youngest of three boys in a close-knit Greek-American family. (Note: You can see his mother, Dimitra and brothers JD and Costa on "Mindfreak" from time to time. They usually are the ones with their hearts in their throats as Criss performs yet another death-defying stunt!)

Criss knew from the age of six when he first saw his Aunt Stella perform a trick for him that he wanted to be a magician. By the age of 12, he got his first paying gig. At the tender age of 19, he was already earning up to $3,000 per week performing at kid's parties and nightclubs. He has studied mysticism, yoga, martial arts and dance. Criss also received pyrotechnic licenses at the ages of 18 and 21.

Criss is also an accomplished rock musician. It is his music you can hear throughout the "Mindfreak" show on A&E TV, which debuted in July 2005. Criss has also performed with the industrial band, Angeldust. They released an album in 1998 called Musical Conjurings from the World of Illusion and performed for live audiences at Madison Square Garden. Soon after, Angel created the concept of Mindfreak, a live show combining rock music, gothic characters and mind-blowing magic, at the World Underground Theater in Times Square.

Criss was well on his way to stardom, but he always seemed to want and crave more. The ABC Family special provided him with just the 'in' he needed. His stunt, "submerged" was featured on Good Morning America and covered across the nation in newscasts. It also led to a 2-hour special in Japan which received a Silver Telly award.

Criss followed up with a special entitled "Supernatural" on the Sci-Fi channel, which was just incredible! He also received the Magician of the Year honor in 2004 (Note: Criss was also the Magician of the Year in 2001 and 2005!) He's been on the cover of both Magic and Genii Magazine, two of the magic world's premiere publications. Criss has also continued to record and perform live!

In Criss Angel Mindfreak, the TV series currently airing at 10 pm EST Wednesdays on A&E TV, Criss has done some spectacular things such as:

Criss is obviously not afraid to push the envelope. He plans on continuing to make magic an accepted and respected art form. He's a true performance artist that mystifies audiences everywhere he goes. He's also a true student of magic who honors illusionists and magicians that have inspired him such as Harry Houdini. Criss is just not going to go away any time soon. Did we mention that he's developing a Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas and finishing up a book that will be released on October 1, 2006!

For those of us who are 'loyal' to the Angel, there will plenty of new things for us to look forward to!

Are you a 'loyal', too? If so, take this fantastic QUIZ! I didn't do so hot! Maybe you can do better!

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