Criss Angel, 21st Century Houdini

Criss Angel is known widely as a master at magic, illusions, escape, hypnotism, and stunt performing. He is the star of his own show, Criss Angel Mindfreak. He purposely sets up his performances in open areas with huge audiences so that viewers can get a good look at his stunts. Is he the 21st Century's new age Houdini, or is he really that good with the "smoke and mirrors" effect that magicians have been perfecting for years?

Born as Christopher Sarantako on December 19, 1967, he was raised in East Meadow, NY. His love of magic began at the age of 6, and by the time he was a teenager he was doing his tricks at parties, clubs, and for family. His biggest influences from the world of magic? None other than Harry Houdini, and Aldo Richiardi.

During the year of 1998, Angel starred in World Of Illusion at Madison Square Garden. Shortly after his appearances there, he signed on to do a Broadway show titled Criss Angel Mindfreak. The show took off with over 600 episodes by the end of its term in January 2003. Performances were held in The World Underground Theater in Times Square. In his 7 years there, he also starred in various television specials titled the same as his Broadway show.

From his run on Broadway, Criss moved into his own televised shows, also titled Criss Angel Mindfreak. Airing on July 20, 2005, his first two seasons were filmed at The Aladdin in Las Vegas, his third season at The Luxor Hotel. During those three seasons, Angel performed his illusions of walking on water, floating between buildings, levitating, and cutting himself in half in front of an audience. One episode in season three was the most viewed episode in history, with over 3 million people tipping the scales to push it into the number one slot in cable television. This episode had Angel levitating in front of The Luxor hotel at a height of 500 feet, right in front of the Luxor spotlight which has a 42.2 billion candlepower output. No easy feat, illusion or not. The heat alone from that spotlight would have been enough of a performance with Angel being in front of it at the proximity that he was.