Specialties -slipping out of ropes, chains, and handcuffs while locked in trunks and milk cans, or submerged under water.

early life -He was born on March 24, 1874, in Budapest, Hungary. -His original name was Ehrich Weisz. -he lived in Budapest until he was a toddler and then he and his family met up with his father in America.

-He was born on March 24, 1874,

in Budapest, Hungary.

-His original name was Ehrich Weisz.

-he lived in Budapest until he was a

toddler and then he and his family met up with his father in America.

Early Years Continued Starting out Ehrich sold newspapers and shined shoes to help support his family. Ehrich engaged in athletic activities and practiced acrobatic stunts. He first performed as a nine year old hanging from a trapeze

Starting out Ehrich sold newspapers and shined shoes to help support his family.

Ehrich engaged in athletic activities and practiced acrobatic stunts.

He first performed as a nine year

old hanging from a trapeze

Life on His Own -Age 12: Hopped on a freight car; He was running away -He came back a year later to reunite with his family in New York -this is when he and his brother became interested in magic

The Start of His Career He first performed magic shows for civic groups when he was 17 sometimes he would even do up to 20 shows per day He worked with his brother Theo as the Houdini Brothers

He first performed magic shows for civic groups when he was 17

sometimes he would even do up to 20 shows per day

He worked with his brother Theo as the Houdini Brothers

Marriage Beatrice Raymond was Houdini’s wife She was a singer and dancer and trying to get into show business Beatrice became Houdini’s new partner after they were married in 1894

Beatrice Raymond was Houdini’s wife

She was a singer and dancer and trying to get into show business

Beatrice became Houdini’s new partner after they were married in 1894

The Welsh Brothers Circus -they joined the Circus for six months -at first they performed easy acts but as time went on Harry became more interested and began to experiment with new tricks

Trip to England -Harry and Beatrice sailed to England to try out his new act -He tried his performance out at the London theater -the theater extended his booking to eventually 6 months due to a successful show

Return to United States -he came back to the U.S. as a celebrity Houdini performed more tricks for the Americans He even came across one failure when he attempted to escape chains while submerged in beer

-he came back to the U.S. as a celebrity

Houdini performed more tricks for the Americans

He even came across one failure when he attempted to escape chains while submerged in beer

His Career Sucesses -Houdini practiced and pushed himself to his limit -He made sure he was always at the top of the entertainment field -He was president of the Society of American and he started the Magician’s club

Sharing His Success He wrote books and magazines He even explained how to do his easier tricks His harder tricks were kept a secret because he wanted to remain the best

He wrote books and magazines

He even explained how to do his easier tricks

His harder tricks were kept a secret because he wanted to remain the best

Spiritualism -Because of his mother’s death he became involved in talking to the dead -Houdini gave many lectures on spiritualism -He would award anyone who could make a psychic effect

Last Years As A Magician Houdini was known for being able to “withstand any blow to his body” above the waist. A student challenged him but before he could prepare he was hit. Houdini had peritonitis a fatal disease -Houdini was giving a show after not sleeping for three days (His wife Bess had been sick with food poisoning) -He broke his foot

Houdini’s Death -Life for Houdini was brought to an end on October 31, 1926 -His funeral was held in New York and many people came to watch -the Society of American Magicians started a new tradition by breaking a wand Machpelah Cemetery in Long Island, New York

The end