Houdini initially focused on traditional card acts. For the rest of his performing career, Bess would work as his stage assistant. Initially, his magic career resulted in little success, though he met fellow performer Wilhelmina Beatrice (Bess) Rahner in 1893, and married her three weeks later. The first part of his new name, Harry, was an homage to Harry Kellar, another of Weiss' largest influences. Weiss became a professional magician in 1891 at age 17, and began calling himself 'Harry Houdini' because he was influenced by French magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin. 'My Lovely Sweethearts.' Houdini with his wife and mother, ca. He achieved such fame for his exploits that the name 'Houdini' remains synonymous with the art of escapism. He also believed in the reality of the after-life and thus of a spiritual dimension to human existence. He was able to control the mind-body dynamic to extraordinary lengths. In performing his escapes and feats of physical and psychological endurance, Houdini pushed his mind and his body to extremes, proving himself to be an athlete as well as a magician. Houdini became world famous by traveling across America and the world thrilling his fans.

He wore shackles and handcuffs and ordered his assistants to lock him in trunks or submerge him underwater. He amazed and excited crowds with his death defying escapes.

Harry Houdini (Ma– October 31, 1926), was a magician, escape artist, and daredevil who captivated much of the Western world with his exploits in the first quarter of the twentieth century. Magician, escapologist, stunt performer, actor, historian, pilot. Harry Houdini became world-renowned for his stunts and feats of escapology even more so than his magical illusions.

The amazing harry houdini