Life was not easy however and by 1882, the Weisz family fell on hard times. Harry Houdini became known for his escape acts (Unknown Author / Public Domain ) His father was Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weisz, and his mother was Cecilia Steiner. Early YearsĮrik Weisz was born in Hungary in Budapest to a strictly Jewish family. He tried his hand at aviation, but it is as a escape artist that he will be forever remembered. Through his success, Harry Houdini became President of the Society of American Magicians and also became an actor, only to quit when it became less profitable than his escapes. Later he would include chains, ropes, and straitjackets in his act. His success here would lead him to travel Europe challenging various police forces to lock him up. Harry Houdini first attracted attention in the United States when performing in the vaudeville, a theatrical genre of variety entertainment.

The name itself came from his spiritual and magic idol, Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin, who lived between 18. Houdini became most famous for his escape acts. A Hungarian American, he is best known for being an escape artist, magic user, and stunt performer. Erik Weisz, better known as Harry Houdini, was born on March 24th, 1874.

Houdini chain escape