The Hungarian-born American magician and illusionist found fame with his
sensational escape acts.
He was born Ehrich Weisz, the son of a rabbi, in 1874.
Houdini died suddenly at the age of 52 from peritonitis. However, his
descendants have questioned the official cause of death and announced in
2007 plans to exhume his remains amidst claims that he was poisoned.
His most famous act was the Chinese Water Torture Cell in which he was
suspended upside down in a locked glass and steel cabinet filled with water.
It required him to hold his breath for more than three minutes.
Despite his achievements Houdini is reported to have told his doctor on his
deathbed that he envied him: "The difference between me and you,'' he said
"is that you actually do things for people. I, in almost every respect, am a
fake.''
Despite his profession as an illusionist Houdini had a long-held personal
crusade to prove that spiritualism was fake, or “bad magic”.
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