Vegas Illusionist Criss Angel Cancels Shows To Visit Ill Son

Las Vegas magician Criss Angel says he’s canceling shows for the first time in seven years to visit his young son who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

The magician, whose real name is Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos, stars in “Criss Angel BeLIEve” by Cirque Du Soleil at the Luxor casino-hotel.

A statement released Friday said Angel was canceling his shows beginning that night through Nov. 1 to be with his nearly 2-year-old son, Johnny Crisstopher Sarantakos, in Australia. Tickets would be refunded or exchanged.

Photo: Julie Jacobson/AP, file
On the red carpet before the 2011 NHL Awards, in Las Vegas.

The statement from the production said the boy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia earlier this week. It says Angel had never missed a show in more than 3,000 performances.