The Amazing Johnathan: Las Vegas Comedian and Magician Dies at 63

The Amazing Johnathan was an American comedian and magician known for his wild, shock-comedy stage act that mixed illusions with gags. Born John Edward Szeles on September 9, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan, he began performing on San Francisco streets in the 1970s.

He was a year-round Las Vegas headliner from 2001 to 2014, hosted the 1991 game show Ruckus and made a record 24 appearances on Comic Strip Live. He appeared in the documentary The Aristocrats in 2005 and won honors from the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Nevada Magazine. He described himself as the "Freddy Krueger of comedy."

Johnathan was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy around 2007 and retired in 2014 after being told he had a year to live, then returned to the stage in 2017. Two documentaries about his illness and comeback were released in 2019. He was married to Anastasia Synn. He died in his sleep of heart failure at his home in Las Vegas on February 22, 2022, at age 63.

Achievements: Las Vegas headliner (2001-2014), hosted Ruckus (1991), 24 appearances on Comic Strip Live, appeared in The Aristocrats (2005).

Birth: September 9, 1958 - Detroit, Michigan.

Profession: Comedian and magician.

Interesting Facts: He opened the Amazing Underground, a members-only indoor drive-in in Las Vegas, in 2008. He had success in Australia after appearing on Hey Hey It's Saturday.