The Amazing Johnathan
Who The Amazing Johnathan is
Comedy magician and stand-up performer John Edward Szeles, known as The Amazing Johnathan, built a chaotic, deliberately gruesome magic-comedy act and became a long-running Las Vegas headliner. His television work included Letterman, Comic Strip Live and Comedy Central specials, and his later life was chronicled in competing documentaries. He died 22 February 2022 at age 63.
At a glance
- Born
- 1958
- Died
- 2022
- Based in
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Stand-up specials
- Comedy Central specials
- On screen
- Late Night with David Letterman, Comic Strip Live, Ruckus and 1 more
- WTF with Marc Maron
- Episode 514
Specials, shows and podcasts
Stand-up specials
- Comedy Central specials
On screen
- Late Night with David Letterman
- Comic Strip Live
- Ruckus
- The Amazing Johnathan Documentary
Comedians like The Amazing Johnathan
Each linked to them by something on the record — a stage they both came through, a bill, a show, a style or a home town.
- Andy Kaufman also in Late Night with David Letterman
- Bill Scheft also in Late Night with David Letterman
- Carrot Top also in Comic Strip Live
- David Letterman also in Late Night with David Letterman
- Harland Williams also in Late Night with David Letterman
- Jon Stewart also in Late Night with David Letterman
- Paula Poundstone also in Late Night with David Letterman
- Ritch Shydner also in Late Night with David Letterman
Questions about The Amazing Johnathan
What stand-up specials has The Amazing Johnathan released?
Comedy Central specials.
What TV shows and films are they in?
Late Night with David Letterman, Comic Strip Live, Ruckus and The Amazing Johnathan Documentary.
Where are they based?
Las Vegas, Nevada, as their record gives it.
Have they been on WTF with Marc Maron?
Yes — episode 514.
Who are some comedians like them?
Andy Kaufman (also in Late Night with David Letterman), Bill Scheft (also in Late Night with David Letterman), Carrot Top (also in Comic Strip Live), David Letterman (also in Late Night with David Letterman) and Harland Williams (also in Late Night with David Letterman).
The full SUCDb record
The full record — the career in order, the specials and credits, and the sources for each — is on SUCDb, with their place on the Legends ballots.
Sources
- Legacy — The Amazing Johnathan ↗ 1958–2022 dates, comedian and magician and Las Vegas career
- KNPR — Remembering The Amazing Johnathan ↗ Las Vegas headliner and comedy-magician career
Updated 5 October 2026 · the record checked 25 September 2026