Criss Angel

Criss Angel and Shaunyl Benson have three children: sons Johnny Crisstopher and Xristos Yanni and daughter Illusia Angelina. The family has publicly supported childhood cancer awareness following Johnny’s leukemia diagnosis and treatment.

Criss Angel kids

Johnny Crisstopher Sarantakos (son)

Date of birth: October, 2014

Zodiac sign: Libra

The magician Criss Angel welcomed his first kid at the age of 46. He was incredibly happy, but unfortunately, couldn’t spend a lot of time with a newborn because of a tough schedule. Some sources tell that Angel spent with his son just 2 days during the first year of his life. No wonder, because the baby boy has always lived with his mother in Australia, while the illusionist resides in Vegas, where he holds 5 shows per week.

But in October, 2015 he cancelled the show in Luxor hotel (Las Vegas) after a phone call from his ex-wife Shaunyl. His only child was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia – the form of cancer. Small Johnny passed through 18-month chemotherapy. During that long period the kind boy turned into annoyed and capricious creature, according to his parents’ words.

But now Johnny has a remission. He is 3 years old. His illness helped his parents remain friends after the divorce. The magician thanked through media to all his fans, who prayed for small Johnny.

Xristos Yanni Sarantakos (son with Shaunyl Benson)

Date of birth: January 22, 2019

His father named the fact of his birth “the most beautiful magic of all”. Xristos Yanni is the second son of the popular magician and his ex-wife Shaunyl Benson. The couple reunited in early 2018, and in September that very year shared the great news with their fans – they are expecting the second baby.

The boy entered this world on a cozy winter evening – at 5:03 pm. He weighed quite solid at the moment of his birth – 8 pounds.

Who are Criss Angel parents?

John Sarantakos (father)

Date of birth: 1937

Date of death: 1998

John Sarantakos had Greek surname and Greek roots, but he was born in Pennsylvania, USA. Except for being Criss Angel’s father, he is also known as a talented bodybuilder and boxer. John participated in numerous boxing championships and wrestling competitions and won the major part of them. One of the most honorable events in his life was the victory at Golden Gloves boxing championship.  Sarantakos Sr graced on the covers of many bodybuilding magazines.

It’s not known exactly, when he married Dimitra, but no doubt, the couple spent many happy years together. They brought up three sons – JD, Costa and our today’s hero.

In 1995 John was diagnosed with a stomach cancer. He lived during three years with this illness and died in 1998 at the age of 61 in the company of his sons.

Dimitra Sarantakos (mother)

Date of birth: March 4, 1935

Zodiac sign: Pisces

Dimitra Sarantakos was born in East Meadow, NY. She lives in that city till now. The hard-working woman, she shared her time between care about three sons and a husband and running a restaurant. Her eating venue was situated at Long Island and Greek food was served there.

Like any other mother, Dimitra supports her famous son. Very often she attends his shows. In his interview Angel told, that his mother forbade him do some of his dangerous tricks. And he promised her to exclude these parts of his program, but didn’t keep to his word.

Criss Angel siblings

JD Sarantakos (older brother)

Although JD Sarantakos is mostly known as Criss Angel’s brother and the audience has seen his face for the first time in “Mindfreak”, it doesn’t mean that this man has no other reasons to be proud of himself. He is the older brother of a magician and the second son in the family of John and Dimitra Sarantakos.

JD has always been interested in music, and in his young years he performed himself. But later he turned his face towards management and production work in music. JD opened a shop “Monster Music” and it has become so popular, that Sarantakos decided to open another one and create a chain.

Later he met producers Jerry & Louise and partnered with them. Currently JD lives in Long Island, NY and co-owns J&L music studio there. He manages career of several young musicians.

Angel’s brother is married to Lynn Sarantakos. They have a daughter Dimitra together.

Costa Sarantakos (older brother)

Date of birth: September 7, 1962

Zodiac sign: Virgo

Costa Sarantakos is the oldest son in Dimitra and John Sarantakos family. He went out of limelight in 2005, when appeared in several episodes of his brother’s show “Mindfreak”.

Costa moved from his native East Meadow to Las Vegas to work with his talented brother Criss.  He serves as vice president at Angel Production Inc. As for now Costa is single.

Bio

Criss Angel, born Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos, is an American illusionist and entertainer known for the television series Mindfreak.

Early Life and Education

The true name of 50-year-old magician is Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos. He saw the world for the first time in New York in the family of Greek immigrants. The boy developed curiosity to various kinds of tricks at the age of 6, when his aunt showed him some elementary illusion. Criss Angel attended East Meadow High School, but had no interest to studying. At a very young age he decided, that tricks would become the main business in his life. After school he entered a college, but then left it to pursue career of a magician. But you are wrong, if you think that the famous illusionist didn’t get an education. He spent long hours in libraries, reading about various kinds of magic tricks, practiced martial arts and dancing.

Career

Criss Angel started his career as a participant of travelling performing groups. There he gained the first public recognition. The young illusionist met his big break in 1994, when he was invited to ABC into a short show “Secrets”. Previously the magician hosted his own show “Criss Angel: Mindfreak”. He lives and works in Las Vegas and is considered as one of the most talented magicians of the 21st century. Critics name him “the continuer of magic traditions of a legendary illusionist Harry Houdini”. Christopher admits that he used Houdini as his inspiration.