Biography
John Edward Szeles (September 9, 1958 – February 22, 2022), better known by the stage name The Amazing Johnathan, was an American comedian and magician. His act was mostly composed of hijinks, interaction with one specific audience member, and a few legitimate magic tricks. From 2001 to 2014, he was a year-round headliner in Las Vegas. Self-described as the "Freddy Krueger of Comedy", Szeles performed wearing his ever-present headband, and his shows frequently used gore; for example, pretending to suck on his own hanging eyeball, cutting his wrists, and skewering his own tongue. He was also good friends with fellow performer Criss Angel and helped him perform a variety of illusions, most notably during three guest appearances on Angel's Mindfreak. Szeles was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Doreen and Edward Szeles.[3][4] In the 1970s, he relocated to California, where he began his career performing on the streets of San Francisco.[5] He first appeared on television in The 8th Annual Young Comedians Show in 1983 and later went on to become the host of the short-lived 1991 syndicated variety/game show Ruckus. He appeared on various talk and variety shows from the mid-1980s to …
Movies & TV Shows
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The Aristocrats (2005) — Self (as Amazing Johnathan)
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The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019) — Self
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Comedy Central Presents (1998) — Self
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Always Amazing (2018) — Self
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The Weird Al Show (1997) — Uncle Johnathan
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The Litch (2017) — The Amazing Johnathan
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The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level (2006) — Himself
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Buskers; For Love or Money (2008) — Self
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Gambler's Ballad: The Legend of Johnny Thompson (2018) — Self
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AGFA Mystery Mixtape #3: Sequelitis (2020) — Self
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The 8th Annual Young Comedians Show (1983)
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Ruckus (1991)
- Viva Cabaret (1993) — Self
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Make Me Laugh (1997) — Comedian
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The World's Greatest Magic (1994) — Self
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The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored (2003) — himself
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The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault (2020) — (archive footage)