Illusionist Criss Angel was honored in Los Angeles on Thursday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Angel, who was born Christoper Sarantakos and is now 49, has been building a career as a magician since he was a teenager in New York but really came to attention in 2005 when cable channel A&E began airing his show “Mindfreak.”

The show, which ended in 2010, re-invented the traditional magic show by combining magic with dangerous stunts, rock music, and Las Vegas-style glitz and theatrics.

Angel readily admits he is driven by his life-long desire for fame and is helped by the strong support from his family, particularly his mother who refinanced the family home to fund his off-Broadway show in New York 15 years ago.
Criss Angel said:”It is beyond words what this means to me. I just wish my father was here, to see this. I remember coming here in the 90’s and walking across that street there and I came across Houdini’s star and I thought to myself, as somebody who was a starving artist, which is the big dream, it’s unbelievable, Houdini died in 1926 and this star will remain here for as long as this planet is here.
“And it really had a profound effect on me and I’m sure it has a profound effect on so many people who come here to this famous street with a dream. A dream that seems impossible but a dream that comes a little closer when you see these stars and you realize that all of these people that are on this street are just like you and me, except they worked their ass off.” He said.

Actor Gary Oldman, magician Lance Burton and UFC champion Randy Couture were among those who turned out to cheer on Angel at his star ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard.