Harry Houdini

Date of Birth: March 24, 1874

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: October 31, 1926

Biography

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz (later Ehrich Weiss), was an iconic magician and escape artist whose name became synonymous with the art of illusion and the spirit of showmanship. Born on March 24, 1874, in Budapest, Hungary, Houdini immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. They settled in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he grew up. Houdini’s fascination with magic began early. By the age of 17, he was already performing in small venues. His big break came in 1899 when he caught the attention of Martin Beck, a vaudeville impresario, who booked him on the Orpheum vaudeville circuit. Houdini’s specialty was escape acts, and he became famous for his ability to free himself from handcuffs, ropes, chains, straitjackets, and even sealed containers. Over the years, Houdini’s acts became more elaborate and dangerous. He performed for sold-out crowds around the world and was known for his daredevil stunts, such as the Chinese Water Torture Cell. In addition to his work as an escape artist, Houdini was also a pioneer in early aviation and a fierce critic of fraudulent spiritualists. Houdini’s life and career were cut short when he died on October 31, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, from complications of a ruptured appendix. His legacy as one of the greatest entertainers in history lives on.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry Houdini

1. Harry Houdini was an avid pilot and one of the first people to fly an airplane in Australia.

2. He was a fierce debunker of fraudulent mediums and spiritualists, often attending séances in disguise to expose them.

3. Houdini was also an author and wrote several books on magic, including “The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin” and “A Magician Among the Spirits.”

4. He served as the president of the Society of American Magicians from 1917 until his death in 1926.

5. Houdini’s death is often surrounded by rumors and myths, including a popular but incorrect belief that he died during one of his escape acts.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry Houdini

1. “My brain is the key that sets me free.”

2. “It is still an open question, however, as to what extent exposure really injures a performer.”

3. “Never try to fool children, they expect nothing, and therefore see everything.”

4. “No performer should attempt to bite off red-hot iron unless he has a good set of teeth.”

5. “The secret of showmanship consists not of what you really do, but what the mystery-loving public thinks you do.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Harry Houdini’s net worth was estimated to be around $500,000, which is equivalent to approximately $7 million in today’s dollars considering inflation.