The Amazing Johnathan
This biography needs additional citations for verification. (February 2022) |
The Amazing Johnathan | |
---|---|
Born | John Edward Szeles September 9, 1958 |
Died | February 22, 2022 | (aged 63)
Occupation(s) | Magician, comedian, actor |
Years active | 1983–2014; 2017–2022 |
Spouses | |
Website | theamazingjohnathan |
John Edward Szeles (September 9, 1958 – February 22, 2022), better known by the stage name The Amazing Johnathan, was an American comedian and
Career
Early career
Szeles was born in
Johnathan had success in Australia following appearances on
Szeles also authored a how-to book on
Later years
In 2008, Szeles combined two of his passions, classic-car collecting and
In 2011, Szeles was performing regular shows in Las Vegas at the Harmon Theater while also taking select dates at venues across the United States and in Australia. 2011 marked Szeles' third year of performing at the Harmon Theatre and Szeles' 11th consecutive year as a full-time Las Vegas headliner. He won the "Best Comedian" award from the Las Vegas Review-Journal (LVRJ), Comedian of the Year from Nevada Magazine, Top Ten Acts in Vegas (LVRJ), and was the longest-running, most successful solo comic magician in U.S. history.[citation needed]
In 2013, Szeles hosted an online talk show called Burn Unit.[9]
Personal life
In March 2007, it was reported that Szeles was diagnosed with "a serious heart condition".
In December 2012, Szeles ended his one-year contract with
However, his heart condition worsened and Szeles announced that he would effectively retire, performing a final show in Toledo, Ohio, for the general public, and then for members of the Magic Castle on June 30 and July 1, 2014. On November 5, 2014, in front of a live audience on ENT Speaks, he stated that he had a year to live.[14] However, Szeles defied his initial terminal prognosis. In 2017, he played several shows across the United States,[15] with Synn assisting him and taking over when he became fatigued.[16]
A documentary titled The Amazing Johnathan Documentary about his illness and return to the stage was released on Hulu in 2019.[17]
A second documentary, Always Amazing: The True Story of the Life, Death, and Return of Amazing Johnathan, was also released in 2019, on YouTube.[18]
Szeles died in his sleep of heart failure at his home in Las Vegas on February 22, 2022, at the age of 63.[17][19]
A memorial service was held for Szeles in Las Vegas. He was humorously eulogized by Penny Wiggins (aka Psychic Tanya), Mac King, Butthole the Clown, Billy the Mime, Criss Angel, Tape Face, and Harrison Greenbaum.[20][21][22][23][24][25]
References
- ^ Robin Leach. "The Amazing Johnathan weds Anastasia Synn at A Special Memory Chapel in Las Vegas". LasVegasSun.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ^ Blowen, Michael (April 17, 1998). "Pauly Shore, Part 2: The grown-up years?". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
The Amazing Jonathan, the self-proclaimed Freddie Krueger of Comedy, is at the Comedy Palace at Grill 93 off Route 93 in Andover tonight and tomorrow night.
- ^ "The Amazing Johnathan, Celebrated Comic-Magician and Las Vegas Stalwart, Dead at 63". Rolling Stone. February 23, 2022.
- ^ Cramer, Maria (February 23, 2022). "John Szeles, Comic Magician as the Amazing Johnathan, Dies at 63". The New York Times.
- ^ "Best bets 1/18". Los Angeles Times. Orange County edition. January 18, 2001. p. F.2. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
A San Francisco street performer in the '70s, the Amazing Jonathan...
- ^ "'The Amazing Johnathan' reveals he is dying". minisites. September 25, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ Bailey-Millado, Rob (February 23, 2022). "The Amazing Johnathan, the 'Freddy Krueger of comedy,' dead at 63". New York Post. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ^ Fink, Jerry (March 19, 2009). "Amazing Johnathan: Presto change-o, it's a drive-in replica". Las Vegas Sun.
- ^ "Amazing Johnathan's Burn Unit". burnunit.tv. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ^ Weatherford, Mike (March 8, 2007). "Amazing Johnathan to bid farewell". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
- ^ Lenker, George (March 28, 2014). "Club Scout: Amazing Johnathan bringing farewell tour to Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee". Mass Live. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Johnathan Szeles Facebook Page". Facebook. March 7, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Anastasia Synn Instagram Page". Instagram. November 19, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "ENT Speaks Amazing Johnathan". YouTube. November 5, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ^ "Amazing Jonathan Live Dates".
- ^ Fraser, Trevor (April 27, 2017). "Amazing Johnathan heads to Orlando despite 'waiting to die'". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- ^ a b "Groundbreaking Vegas magician The Amazing Johnathan dies at 63". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ ALWAYS AMAZING: The True Story of the Life, Death, and Return of Amazing Johnathan | Movie, retrieved February 25, 2022
- ^ Bailey-Millado, Rob (February 23, 2022). "The Amazing Johnathan, the 'Freddy Krueger of comedy,' dead at 63". New York Post. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ Amazing Jonathan Memorial - Las Vegas - 3/7/22 - Part I - Psychic Tanya and Mac King, retrieved March 8, 2022
- ^ Amazing Johnathan Memorial Part II - 3/7/22 - Butthole the Clown eulogizes AJ, retrieved March 9, 2022
- ^ Amazing Johnathan Memorial Part III - Billy the Mime (SPEAKS!), retrieved March 9, 2022
- ^ Amazing Johnathan Memorial Part IV - Criss Angel, retrieved March 9, 2022
- ^ Amazing Johnathan Memorial Part V - Tape Face says it all, retrieved March 9, 2022
- ^ Amazing Johnathan Part VI - Harrison Greenbaum, retrieved March 9, 2022
External links
- Official website
- The Amazing Johnathan at IMDb
- The Amazing Johnathan discography at Discogs