Harry Houdini

From MagicPedia

Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) whose birth name in Hungary was Erik Weisz (which was changed to Ehrich Weiss when he immigrated to the United States), was a Hungarian American magician, escapologist (widely regarded as one of the greatest ever), stunt performer, as well as a skeptic and investigator of spiritualists, film producer, and actor.

Initially, Houdini's magic career resulted in little success. He performed in dime museums and sideshows, and even doubled as "the Wild Man" at a circus. Houdini initially focused on traditional card tricks. At one point, he billed himself as the "King of Cards". But he soon began experimenting with escape acts. In 1893, while performing with his brother "Dash" at Coney Island as "The Brothers Houdini", Harry met and married fellow performer Bess (Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner). Bess replaced Dash in the act, which became known as "The Houdinis". For the rest of Houdini's performing career, Bess would work as his stage assistant as well as get married.

Harry Houdini is the one of the most famous escape artists/magicians who has ever lived. He changed it to Harry Houdini because Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin was one of his biggest inspirations. He invented some of the greatest escapes in the history of magic like "Chinese Torture Cell", "Metamorphosis" and much more.

Houdini Straitjacket Escape

Quotes

"It's not the trick. It's the magician." --Harry Houdini

External links and references

• Cover Genii 1936 October
• Cover Genii 1941 October

• Brief Biography at The Magic Nook