Criss Angel, born Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos on December 19, 1967, in Hempstead, New York, has become a global face in the world of magic and illusion. As of 2025, the 57-year-old illusionist has built a net worth of $50 million through an extraordinary mix of television shows, live performances, music ventures, and business projects. His journey from a curious child performing card tricks to a Las Vegas headliner is nothing short of magical.
From Family Roots to First Illusions
Raised in Elmont and East Meadow, Long Island, Criss was the son of restaurant and donut shop owner John Sarantakos and his wife Dimitra. He has two brothers, Costa and J.D. His love for magic began early, thanks to a card trick his Aunt Stella showed him when he was just 7. By 12, Criss had already staged his first show and was hooked for life. Despite pressure from his parents to attend college, Angel chose the uncertain road of professional magic after graduating from East Meadow High School.
Climbing the Ranks in Magic
Criss made his TV debut in 1994 with an appearance on ABC’s Secrets. That led to more gigs, including collaborations with horror legend Clive Barker and performances in specials like The Science of Magic and Supernatural. But things really took off in the early 2000s with over 600 live performances of Criss Angel Mindfreak at NYC’s World Underground Theater.
In 2005, Angel hit primetime with the A&E television show Criss Angel Mindfreak, which ran for 85 episodes. The series became a cultural phenomenon, blending street magic, mind-bending illusions, and death-defying stunts. It not only brought magic back into the mainstream but set a new bar for what magic could look like on screen. According to his official website, it remains one of the most successful magic shows in television history.
Las Vegas Reign: MINDFREAK and Beyond
Las Vegas became Criss Angel’s main stage. From 2008 to 2016, he partnered with Cirque du Soleil for Criss Angel Believe at the Luxor, a residency that sold over $5 million in advance tickets. He followed it up with Mindfreak LIVE! (2016–2018) and launched Criss Angel MINDFREAK at the Criss Angel Theater inside Planet Hollywood in December 2018. In 2019, Celebrity Radio crowned MINDFREAK “The #1 Show in Las Vegas.”
Even the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop Angel for long. Though some shows were canceled or postponed, he bounced back quickly once live entertainment resumed.
Magic Meets Music
Criss’s creativity isn’t limited to illusions. In the late ‘80s, he fronted a heavy metal band named Angel, incorporating magic into his music videos. Later, he founded the industrial rock group Angeldust with Klay Scott and released four albums: Musical Conjurings From the World of Illusion, System 1, System 2, and System 3. These weren’t just side projects—they were part of a broader effort to blend magic with every aspect of entertainment.
TV Appearances and Public Persona
Angel has been everywhere—from The Oprah Winfrey Show to WWE RAW to Larry King Live. He also judged NBC’s Phenomenon in 2007 and even performed alongside Britney Spears at the MTV VMAs. Over the years, his internet presence has also exploded. By the late 2000s, Criss was the most-watched magician online, with over 200 million views. His video “Rip Bodies Apart” from the BeLIEve premiere reached 12 million views in just a month.
Business Ventures and Magic Kits
Criss has smartly expanded his brand beyond the stage. In 2010, he launched the Criss Angel Magic Collection with IdeaVillage—offering 250 tricks, a children’s kit, and how-to guides based on his MINDFREAK illusions. This helped introduce a whole new generation to the art of magic.
Personal Life and Family
Criss Angel married JoAnn Winkhart in 2002, but the couple split in 2006. He later dated reality TV star Holly Madison before beginning a relationship with Australian singer Shaunyl Benson in 2012. They now share two sons, Johnny and Xristos. His son Johnny’s battle with leukemia inspired Angel to shift gears emotionally and philanthropically. He renamed his charity from “Believe Anything Is Possible” to the Johnny Crisstopher Children’s Charitable Foundation, which focuses on pediatric cancer awareness and funding. His personal life added a powerful layer of humanity to his otherwise mystifying public image.
Awards, Honors, and World Records
Criss Angel’s trophy shelf is stacked. He’s been named “Magician of the Year” five times by the International Magician Society and “Magician of the Century” in 2010. In 2017, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A year later, he earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Brotherhood of Magicians—the youngest ever to do so.
His Guinness World Records include:
- Submerging himself underwater for 24 hours
- Performing the “Metamorphosis” illusion in under one second
- Escaping a straitjacket in two and a half minutes
- Making 100 people disappear in one illusion, setting the record for “Most People to Disappear in an Illusion” in 2010
The Legacy of Criss Angel
From street tricks in Long Island to redefining live magic in Las Vegas, Criss Angel turned illusion into an empire. With a net worth of $50 million and a lifetime of achievements behind him, Angel continues to influence aspiring magicians and entertainers. His blend of rock-star energy, emotional storytelling, and jaw-dropping stunts make him one of the most unforgettable performers of our time. Whether you’re a die-hard magic fan or just catching his videos online, there’s no denying the Criss Angel effect—it’s mindfreaking unforgettable.
