The Amazing Johnathan

The Amazing Johnathan

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 mid-2000s. His only credited performance as an actor was "The Obligatory Holiday Episode" of The Weird Al Show (playing the part of Uncle Johnathan). He made several appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, a record 24 appearances on Fox's Comic Strip Live, and had several specials on Comedy Central including Comedy Central Presents, Lounge Lizards, and more recently his own one-hour special entitled Wrong on Every Level. He dedicated the special to his Uncle Eugene, who showed him his first card trick which "started this whole mess". He appeared in the 2005 documentary The Aristocrats. Johnathan had success in Australia following appearances on Channel 9's Hey Hey It's Saturday. Szeles also authored a how-to book on practical jokes titled Every Trick in the Book, a compilation of both classic practical jokes and plain magic tricks, along with his own original material in both categories. From 2014 onwards, he was working on his memoirs with the working title of Drive It Like You Stole It, although his declining health prevented him from finishing it. Szeles died in his sleep of heart failure at his home in Las Vegas on February 22, 2022, at the age of 63

  • Title: The Amazing Johnathan
  • Popularity: 0.868
  • Known For: Acting
  • Birthday: 1958-09-09
  • Place of Birth:
  • Homepage: https://www.theamazingjohnathan.com/
  • Also Known As: John Edward Szeles, Johnathan Szeles
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The Amazing Johnathan Movies

  • 2005
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    The Aristocrats

    The Aristocrats

    5.917 2005 HD

    One hundred superstar comedians tell the same very, VERY dirty, filthy joke--one shared privately by comics since Vaudeville.

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  • 2006
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    The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level

    The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level

    6 2006 HD

    Part comedian, part madman magician The Amazing Johnathan brings his unique brand of comedy to DVD in The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong On Every Level...

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  • 2008
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    Buskers; For Love or Money

    Buskers; For Love or Money

    6.2 2008 HD

    In his directorial debut Mad Chad Taylor, the renowned Venice Beach chainsaw Juggler, has created a one of a kind documentary that goes deep inside...

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  • 2003
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    The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored

    The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored

    1 2003 HD

    This video is the ultimate collector's item for the Amazing Johnathan's true fans. A 48 minute live performance of Johnathan taped at The Flamingo in...

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  • 1983
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    The 8th Annual Young Comedians Show

    The 8th Annual Young Comedians Show

    1 1983 HD

    John Candy presents the 1983 Young Comedians Show.

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  • 2017
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    The Litch

    The Litch

    3.4 2017 HD

    An undead zombie wizard known as "The Litch" is hell-bent on devouring his victims and possessing the weak when his sacred crystal is stolen by a...

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  • 2018
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    Gambler's Ballad: The Legend of Johnny Thompson

    Gambler's Ballad: The Legend of Johnny Thompson

    8 2018 HD

    Penn and Teller hired Johnny Thompson to consult on their magic show as soon as the duo began their career and Johnny has been with them ever since....

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  • 2018
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    Always Amazing

    Always Amazing

    6.8 2018 HD

    Always Amazing is the story of The Amazing Johnathan’s storied career as a comedian/magician, the unlikely friendship that was cemented after...

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  • 2019
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    The Amazing Johnathan Documentary

    The Amazing Johnathan Documentary

    6.1 2019 HD

    What begins as a documentary following the final tour of a dying magician - "The Amazing Johnathan" - becomes an unexpected and increasingly bizarre...

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  • 2020
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    AGFA MYSTERY MIXTAPE #3: SEQUELITIS

    AGFA MYSTERY MIXTAPE #3: SEQUELITIS

    6 2020 HD

    Unleashed from the video vaults of the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA), AGFA MYSTERY MIXTAPE #3: SEQUELITIS is a brand new compilation of the most...

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  • 2006
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    The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level

    The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level

    6 2006 HD

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  • 2003
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    The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored

    The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored

    1 2003 HD

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  • 2003
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    The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored

    The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored

    1 2003 HD

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  • 1997
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    The Weird Al Show

    The Weird Al Show

    6.5 1997 HD

    The Weird Al Show is a television show hosted by "Weird Al" Yankovic. Produced in association with Dick Clark Productions, it aired Saturday mornings...

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  • 1991
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    Ruckus

    Ruckus

    1 1991 HD

    Ruckus is an American game show starring The Amazing Johnathan and shot at Merv Griffin's Resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Assistants on the...

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  • 1993
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    Viva Cabaret

    Viva Cabaret

    1 1993 HD

    Viva Cabaret is a late night comedy variety television show that aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom from 14 April 1993 to 24 June 1994. The...

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