Harry Houdini was an American magician and escape artist best known for his thrilling escapes, illusions, and performances. Born Erich Weiss on March 24, 1874, in Budapest, Hungary, he became a legendary figure in the world of entertainment.
Personal and Family Life
Harry Houdini was one of five children born to Mayer Samuel Weiss, a rabbi, and Cecilia Weisz. His family emigrated to the United States when he was four years old, and he often referred to Appleton, Wisconsin, as his hometown. Houdini married Wilhelmina Rahner, known as Bess, on June 22, 1894, in a ceremony that honored both their faiths, as Bess was a Roman Catholic.
Career Highlights
Houdini’s fascination with magic began at a young age, inspired by a performance from a traveling magician. He started performing with his friend Jack Hayman and later made a name for himself with daring escape acts. Houdini became famous for escaping from handcuffs, straitjackets, and even being buried alive, captivating audiences with his remarkable skill and showmanship throughout the early 20th century.
Death and Legacy
Harry Houdini died on October 31, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix. His death followed an injury in which he was punched in the stomach, which contributed to his declining health. Houdini’s legacy lives on, with annual séances held by his wife Bess attempting to contact him and influence the world of magic for generations to come.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Master Mystery | 1918-11-18 | Quentin Locke |
| The Man from Beyond | 1922-04-02 | The Man From Beyond |
| The Grim Game | 1919-10-11 | Harvey Hanford |
| Terror Island | 1920-04-08 | Harry Harper |
| Haldane of the Secret Service | 1923-09-29 | Heath Haldane |
| The Golden Twenties | 1950-04-08 | Self (archive footage) |
| Days of Thrills and Laughter | 1961-03-21 | Self (archive footage) |
| Houdini | 1996-10-05 | Self (archive footage) |
| An Honest Liar | 2014-04-18 | Self (archive footage) |
| Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World | 2016-03-04 | Self – Escape Artist (archive footage) |
| Magic with the Stars | 1982-01-17 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Les exploits d’Houdini à Paris; ou, Les merveilleux exploits d’Houdini | 1909-07-23 | Self |
| The Magic Behind ‘d’ILLUSION: The Houdini Musical – The Audio Theater Experience’ | 2020-12-20 | Self (archive footage) |
| Buzzfeed Unsolved: True Crime | 2016-02-04 | Self (archive footage) |
| The UnXplained | 2019-07-19 | Self (archive footage) |