Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz in 1874 in Budapest, Hungary, was a legendary illusionist and stunt performer, famed for his sensational escape acts. He moved to the United States at a young age and began his career as a magician under the name "Harry Houdini", named after the French magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin.Houdini first drew attention with his card tricks before shifting focus to escape acts. His escapology feats involved freeing himself from handcuffs, chains, ropes, and straitjackets, often while underwater or in other perilous situations. One of his most iconic acts was the "Chinese Water Torture Cell", where he was suspended upside-down in a locked, water-filled chamber.Beyond his performances, Houdini was known for exposing frauds in spiritualism, which he fervently campaigned against. He was also a film actor and a pioneer in early cinema, and even an amateur aviator. His dedication to his craft and his charismatic showmanship made him one of the most famous magicians in history.Houdini's death in 1926, following a series of blows to his abdomen (an attack for which he was unprepared), marked the end of an era in magic. He remains an iconic figure in the world of magic and escapology, celebrated for his daring, creativity, and the air of mystery that surrounded his persona.
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