The Amazing Johnathan Movies, TV Shows, and Filmography
The Amazing Johnathan
Acting
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 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
Filmography Movies
Acting
The Aristocrats
One hundred superstar comedians tell the same very, VERY dirty, filthy joke--one shared privately by comics since Vaudeville.
The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level
Part 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.
Buskers; For Love or Money
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 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.
The Amazing Johnathan - Live and Uncensored
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 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 8th Annual Young Comedians Show
John Candy presents the 1983 Young Comedians Show.
The Litch
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 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.
Gambler's Ballad: The Legend of Johnny Thompson
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. "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.
Always Amazing
Always 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.
The Amazing Johnathan Documentary
What 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.
AGFA Mystery Mixtape #3: Sequelitis
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 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.”
Production
The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level
Part 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 - Live and Uncensored
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 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
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 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!