“The Freddy Kruger Of Magic” was a revolutionary showman, known for deconstructing the rules of sleight of hand and stagecraft
Highlights
- John Edward Szeles, the magician and stand up comedian better known by his stage name, The Amazing Johnathan, has died at 63.
- His death was confirmed by his wife, fellow performer Anastasia Synn.
- His work was riotous, violent, and frenetic with machine-gun precision, he rattled off bits, tricks, and jokes that left stages covered in faux body parts and audiences in stitches.
- He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a degenerative heart condition that affects the tissue surrounding the heart, in 2007.
- After five years, he disappeared from the stage for five years.
- His final years-long Las Vegas residency saw him attempt to restart his career, but his condition worsened.