The Amazing Johnathan, the ‘Freddy Krueger of comedy,’ dead at 63

New York Post ^ | 2-23-2022 | Rob Bailey-Millado

[servo1969]

John Edward Szeles, the standup comic and magician who delighted in shocking audiences for decades as “The Amazing Johnathan,” died at his Las Vegas home Tuesday after a long battle with heart disease. The self-described “Freddy Krueger of comedy” was 63.

“Johnathan Szeles (Amazing Johnathan ) has passed away at around 11:30 pm 2/22/22,” fellow standup comic Penny Wiggins, 60, posted on Facebook. “My heart is broken. One of my best friends, one of the funniest humans I’ve ever met. I loved him so very much and will never forget this wonderful, amazing, kind, funny, great person.”

The Detroit native’s widow, sideshow stuntwoman Anastasia Synn, confirmed her husband’s death just before midnight.

[servo1969]

[Red Badger]

Amazing I never heard of him...................

[Skwor]

Uhm... thinking.. ya with you, who?

[EEGator]

He was “wacky” sort of like Carrot Top...

[blueunicorn6]

Funny guy.

“Did you blow bubbles when you were a kid?”

[SaxxonWoods]

Who?

[Rio]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1N6wL6c6AU

[The MAGA-Deplorian]

You both missed out. He was one of the top magicians before Penn And Teller. Helped Chris Angels career. Pretty damn funny magician https://youtu.be/hX4oMEHMfOo

[Skwor]

Thanks, will have a look

[bella1]

I went to high school with him. I have never forgotten the time at a party where he was bending peoples car keys by just rubbing them between his thumb and finger. My key was one of them. This was back when you had separate keys for the starter, trunk, and glove box. Fortunately I gave him the key to my glove box and yes it was rendered useless. I kept that key on my keychain for years and looked at it in amazement.

[bella1]

See #10

[Chode]

now if it said Bill Burr... i’d of been upset!

[larrytown]

Prop comic.

[V_TWIN]

Fully vaxed no doubt

[bella1]

He was diagnosed with heart disease well before covid appeared. He outlived his diagnosis of 1 year left to live.

[Roccus]

Sorry you lost a friend.
In the years to come, those YouTube videos will hopefully bring you some smiles.

[bella1]

I have not seen him since 1976! But I will never forget him bending keys between 2 fingers and everyone shrieking. I think of that party every so often. He was probably 17-18 at that time.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Always thought he was pretty funny. RIP.

[TakebackGOP]

RIP Comedy Central used to show his specials.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Loved this guy. He was out there.