Acting
The Amazing Johnathan
Born — Died
1958-09-09 — 2022-02-22
Known for
Acting
Credits
20 titles
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 not…
Known for
7.0These half-hour specials showcased some of the best up-and-coming comedians of the moment. The show was a pivotal stepping stone for many of today's stand-up stars.
Comedy Central Presents
1998
7.0This Saturday morning hit brings Weird Al’s signature warped comedy, original songs, spoofs, offbeat animation, and a motley crew of surprise guests.
The Weird Al Show
1997
5.9One hundred superstar comedians tell the same very, VERY dirty, filthy joke--one shared privately by comics since Vaudeville.
The Aristocrats
2005
8.0An updated version of the 1979 game show of the same name. The object of the game was not to laugh at the comedians. Various comedians would have one minute each to make the contestant laugh. If the contestant were able to keep a straight face, he or she would win prize money and go on to face another comedian, and so on until at last they met a joke they couldn't resist.
Make Me Laugh
1997
6.7Always Amazing is the story of The Amazing Johnathan’s storied career as a comedian/magician, the unlikely friendship that was cemented after meeting a 12-year-old boy while on tour in Australia and the unfortunate terminal diagnosis that brought them back together for one last run of shows.
Always Amazing
2018
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 series was filmed in a sound stage in West London, with the set designed to resemble a cabaret club. The programme's house band included drummer Ray Weston (of Wishbone Ash) and members of Pink Floyd's touring band. The first episode, which debuted on 14 April 1993, was hosted by Tom Jones. Subsequent hosts included Julian Clary, Mark Lamarr, Mike McShane, Jools Holland, Mark Thomas, Eartha Kitt, Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage, and Lee Evans. Competition for slots on the show was intense, with many stars of the British alternative comedy circuit hoping to make an appearance. In addition to the show's British stars, regular international guests included Americans Greg Proops and Sandra Bernhard, and Australia's Doug Anthony All Stars.
Viva Cabaret
1993
Film credits
2020s · 2 titles
NRTHE AGFA MYSTERY MIXTAPE VAULT is a 2-disc, 500-minute odyssey that collects eight feature-length VHS mixtapes from the crackpots at AGFA—including two that have only ever been available theatrically.
The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault
2020
6.5Unleashed from the video vaults of the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA), AGFA MYSTERY MIXTAPE #3: SEQUELITIS is a brand new compilation of the most electrifying found footage mayhem that you’ll see this week. For our third tape, we’re diving into the most controversial, hotly debated topic of all time: HORROR SEQUELS! Thank you for your generous support during these difficult times. And remember: “This makes Guns N’ Roses look like THE BRADY BUNCH.”
AGFA Mystery Mixtape #3: Sequelitis
2020
2010s · 4 titles
6.7Always Amazing is the story of The Amazing Johnathan’s storied career as a comedian/magician, the unlikely friendship that was cemented after meeting a 12-year-old boy while on tour in Australia and the unfortunate terminal diagnosis that brought them back together for one last run of shows.
Always Amazing
2018
2.2An 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 small-time crook and his crew of big-breasted witches. The Litch uses its power to transform into slimy mutant creatures, spilling gallons of blood from his victims on his quest to retrieve the crystal in order to rule the four worlds.
The Litch
2017
8.7Penn 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. "Gambler's Ballad" follows Penn and Johnny's progress as Thompson teaches Penn his signature card act. Numerous well known figures from the magic world reminisce and wax philosophic about the unparalleled knowledge and profound influence Johnny Thompson has had on their own careers as well as the history and current state of the art of magic.
Gambler's Ballad: The Legend of Johnny Thompson
2018
6.1What begins as a documentary following the final tour of a dying magician - "The Amazing Johnathan" - becomes an unexpected and increasingly bizarre journey as the filmmaker struggles to separate truth from illusion.
The Amazing Johnathan Documentary
2019
2000s · 4 titles
5.9One hundred superstar comedians tell the same very, VERY dirty, filthy joke--one shared privately by comics since Vaudeville.
The Aristocrats
2005
6.2In his directorial debut Mad Chad Taylor, the renowned Venice Beach chainsaw Juggler, has created a one of a kind documentary that goes deep inside the hidden world of street performers. Amid rare footage of the most shocking and inspired street acts from around the world, one performer after another pulls back the makeshift curtain. Their acts are astonishing; their stories, more amazing still. Here is the tightrope walker, the razor blade muncher, the sidewalk samurai, the tattooed man. Meet The Fireman who lost his teeth to his fire-eating act, and the Calypso Tumbler who's buying up real estate in the Caribbean. This is the human condition at its most freakishly wonderful.
Buskers; For Love or Money
2008
5.7Part comedian, part madman magician The Amazing Johnathan brings his unique brand of comedy to DVD in The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong On Every Level – Uncensored. This all-new Comedy Central special showcases "The Madman of Comedy" at his best, hilariously skewering one magic trick after another with unexpected and sometimes gory results.
The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level
2006
NRThis 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 Las Vegas. Be warned that it's not like what you are used to seeing on TV. It contains adult language and is not suitable for all audiences! See hilarious backstage scenes with Tanya, Johnathan's assistant and never before glimpses into the mind of The Amazing Johnathan. You will laugh until you are sore!
The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored
2003
Series credits
7.0These half-hour specials showcased some of the best up-and-coming comedians of the moment. The show was a pivotal stepping stone for many of today's stand-up stars.
Comedy Central Presents
1998
7.0This Saturday morning hit brings Weird Al’s signature warped comedy, original songs, spoofs, offbeat animation, and a motley crew of surprise guests.
The Weird Al Show
1997
8.0An updated version of the 1979 game show of the same name. The object of the game was not to laugh at the comedians. Various comedians would have one minute each to make the contestant laugh. If the contestant were able to keep a straight face, he or she would win prize money and go on to face another comedian, and so on until at last they met a joke they couldn't resist.
Make Me Laugh
1997
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 series was filmed in a sound stage in West London, with the set designed to resemble a cabaret club. The programme's house band included drummer Ray Weston (of Wishbone Ash) and members of Pink Floyd's touring band. The first episode, which debuted on 14 April 1993, was hosted by Tom Jones. Subsequent hosts included Julian Clary, Mark Lamarr, Mike McShane, Jools Holland, Mark Thomas, Eartha Kitt, Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage, and Lee Evans. Competition for slots on the show was intense, with many stars of the British alternative comedy circuit hoping to make an appearance. In addition to the show's British stars, regular international guests included Americans Greg Proops and Sandra Bernhard, and Australia's Doug Anthony All Stars.
Viva Cabaret
1993
9.0The World's Greatest Magic was a series of American television specials showcasing magic acts. The first of five shows was broadcast by NBC in 1994, and continued with annual editions through 1998. These shows were most often first telecast during the Thanksgiving holidays when special programming would occur. These specials reran occasionally on ABC Family from October 1996 to early 2002. The first episode was hosted by Robert Urich, the second by Alan Thicke, and the final three episodes by John Ritter. Before each commercial break of every episode, in a segment known as the Mac King School of Magic, Mac King showed viewers a simple magic trick, and would break its steps down after the commercial break so that the audience could perform the same trick for family and friends. Here's a list of the closing illusions for each of the five shows, and the magicians that performed them: ⁕World's Greatest Magic I: Franz Harary - Space Shuttle vanish ⁕World's Greatest Magic II: Penn and Teller - Magic bullet catch ⁕World's Greatest Magic III: The Pendragons - Disappearance of 25 Vegas showgirls ⁕World's Greatest Magic IV: Lance Burton - Jaws of Death escape
The World's Greatest Magic
1994
7.0Ruckus is an American game show starring The Amazing Johnathan and shot at Merv Griffin's Resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Assistants on the program were Helen Incollingo and Charlene Donahue-Wallace. The format had audience members playing games for cash prizes. In the final round, three contestants played a four-minute stunt round. The show often begin with Johnathan performing a magic trick, and the camera often zoomed in on the loud audiences cheerly wildly for the contestants.
Ruckus
1991
Behind the camera
5.7Part comedian, part madman magician The Amazing Johnathan brings his unique brand of comedy to DVD in The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong On Every Level – Uncensored. This all-new Comedy Central special showcases "The Madman of Comedy" at his best, hilariously skewering one magic trick after another with unexpected and sometimes gory results.
The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level
2006
NRThis 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 Las Vegas. Be warned that it's not like what you are used to seeing on TV. It contains adult language and is not suitable for all audiences! See hilarious backstage scenes with Tanya, Johnathan's assistant and never before glimpses into the mind of The Amazing Johnathan. You will laugh until you are sore!
The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored
2003
NRThis 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 Las Vegas. Be warned that it's not like what you are used to seeing on TV. It contains adult language and is not suitable for all audiences! See hilarious backstage scenes with Tanya, Johnathan's assistant and never before glimpses into the mind of The Amazing Johnathan. You will laugh until you are sore!
The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored
2003

