Who Was Harry Houdini

Erik Weisz was born March 24, 1874 in Budapest to Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weisz and his wife Cecilia Steiner. In 1878 the family would travel to the United States and change their name toe Weiss. The family would live in Appleton WIsoconsin and his father served as Rabbi for the Zion Reform Jewish Congregation Later the family would become official American citizens and move to Milwaukee

The Weiss family would live in poverty in Milwaukee and eventually the young boy and his father would move to New York City. Eventually the remaining family would join. At the age of 9 the young boy Ehrich Weiss would find work as a trapeze artist. Other talents would be that of a cross country runner and magic. Perhaps it was when he became a professional magician and called himself "Harry Houdini" that his popularity would begin.

Harry Houdini became an American illusionist and stunt performer. Vaudeville would be the stop in the beginning. The act of "Harry Handcuff Houdini" challenged police forces to keep him locked up When this drew attention another step had to be taken, that step would include chains, ropes, straight jackets under water and escaping from sealed milk can with water in it.

Did You Know Harry Houdini:

• he acted in several silent films prior to opening his own movie production studio even acting in two silent films. When the acting was not profitable he abandoned the world of acting
• Houdini took an interest in communicating with the dead after his mothers death. However he soon went on to discredit and vilify those that claimed they could talk to the dead. However, following the death of Harry Houdini his wife desperately tried to talk to him.
• While many claim that Houdini died on Halloween but was rather poisoned to death by pro = spiritualists 
• Houdini was not burred next to his wife. He was jewish and she was Catholic
• Houdini instructed WWI soldiers how to escape from ropes, handcuffs and shipwrecks
• Houdini was an athlete with endurance , stamina and strength but also had the key hidden in such a place that the crowd could not see it
• When the magic career dwindled Harry Houdini performed as the Wildman at museums, sideshows and the circus
• Houdini and his brother Theodore both performed as escape artist 
• President Woodrow Wilson once stated:                                                              "I envy your ability to escape out of tight places. Sometimes I wish I were able to do the same thing"
• Houdini worked as an undercover agent for the American and British government for several years. 

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