Master of Illusions Criss Angel wasn’t born a magician, but it didn’t take him long to get into the magical spirit. He was the tender age of seven when he learned and performed his first card trick, and, with that, he was hooked.

When he decided to learn magic, he didn’t see it as a “sometimes” hobby. He dedicated himself to it with such vigor and determination that it matched that of his father, a local business owner. His father, who was a pull yourself up by your bootstraps kind of guy, is who Criss credits his success to. He says that’s where he learned his work ethic. That dedication comes in handy when each trick requires hours of practice.

Early Career

Even at the age of seven, Criss knew magic was something special. He said that it made him feel powerful that he understood an illusion (as a child), and grown adults did not. When he was 12, a neighbor asked him to perform at her son’s birthday party, which he did – for a $10 fee. That’s practically nothing compared to what venues pay Angel to perform today! That was his first performance experience, and as it turns out, he couldn’t get enough. He would often travel to New York City to perform in clubs; booking shows at as young as 14 years old.

World of Illusion Convention and Beyond

Young Criss’ first big break came in 1998 via a spot at the World of Illusion Convention. He performed the same show 60 times in 12 days! Talk about tiring. He then went on to create a show “Criss Angel Mindfreak,” which played off-Broadway in New York. That show turned into a TV Series and then into a residency show. That show, Cris Angel Believe, is a collaboration with Cirque Du Soleil. It’s impressive and even premiered on the anniversary of Houdini’s death.