| Born | March 24, 1874 (in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, now Hungary) |
| Died | October 31, 1926 (age 52) in Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Spouse | Bess Houdini (m. 1894–1926) |
| Known For | Elaborate escape acts and illusions |
| Birth Name | Ehrich Weiss |
| Occupation | Magician • Escapologist • Stunt performer • Actor |
| Stage Name | Harry Houdini |
| Nationality | American (by naturalization) |
Ehrich Weiss, better known by his stage name Harry Houdini, was a renowned Hungarian-American magician, stunt performer, and film producer who achieved widespread fame for his sensational escape acts and illusionist performances in the early 20th century. Considered one of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of magic, Houdini's daring stunts, innovative stage presence, and unconventional beliefs made him an enduring icon of popular culture.
Houdini was born Ehrich Weiss in 1874 in Budapest, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His father, Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weiss, was a rabbi who had immigrated from Germany. From a young age, the precocious Ehrich displayed a fascination with magic tricks and sleight-of-hand performance, honing his skills through extensive study and practice.
In 1891, at the age of 17, Weiss began his professional career as a magician, adopting the stage name "Harry Houdini" in honor of the French magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, whom he idolized. Houdini spent the next decade touring small vaudeville and circus acts throughout Europe, developing his craft and building a reputation for astonishing escape acts.
Houdini's big break came in 1900, when he was invited to perform for the royal court of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. The young magician's dramatic escapes from handcuffs, locked containers, and even underwater restraints captivated the Emperor and his guests, launching Houdini to international stardom.
Over the next decade, Houdini embarked on extensive tours of Europe, performing for the nobility, wealthy industrialists, and packed public audiences. His repertoire included classic illusions like the "Metamorphosis" and "Bullet Catch" as well as daring new stunts such as the "Chinese Water Torture Cell" and the "Straightjacket Escape."
Houdini's notoriety grew not only from his technical mastery, but also his enigmatic persona and unorthodox beliefs. He often incorporated occult and mystical imagery into his acts, hinting at supernatural powers, while also aggressively debunking the claims of spiritualists and mediums.
Houdini's confrontational attitude towards the supernatural and his refusal to reveal the secrets behind his illusions brought him into repeated conflict with both the public and authorities. In 1905, he was imprisoned in Munich for allegedly using "black magic" in his performances, though he was later released.
The magician's harsh criticism of religious and political figures also made him enemies among the elite. In 1910, during a tour of Austria-Hungary, Houdini was arrested and briefly jailed for mocking the Catholic Church and the Habsburg Monarchy in his shows. These controversies only heightened his fame, however, as audiences were drawn to his rebellious persona.
On October 22, 1912, Houdini died suddenly under mysterious circumstances after a performance in Detroit. The official cause of death was listed as a ruptured appendix, but rumors and conspiracy theories swirled that the magician had been murdered. Some speculated that Houdini was killed by spiritualists he had antagonized, while others believed it was a staged death meant to further his legend.
Houdini's death at the height of his fame only added to the enduring mystique surrounding the great illusionist. In the decades since, he has remained one of the most iconic and influential figures in the history of magic, inspiring generations of stage magicians, escape artists, and adventurers.
Harry Houdini's innovative stage presence, technical prowess, and unconventional persona made him a towering figure in the world of entertainment. His daring escapes, illusions, and publicity stunts ushered in the golden age of stage magic and paved the way for later magicians like David Copperfield and Criss Angel.
Beyond magic, Houdini was also a pioneering filmmaker, producer, and debunker of the supernatural. His relentless efforts to expose fraudulent mediums and spiritualists helped shape modern skepticism and paranormal investigation. Even after his death, Houdini's enduring legacy continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
