* His love of performing. Houdini was a natural showman, and he loved the thrill of performing for audiences. He was always looking for new and exciting ways to entertain his fans, and magic was a perfect way for him to do that.
* His desire to escape from reality. Houdini had a difficult childhood, and he often used magic as a way to escape from the harsh realities of his life. When he was performing, he could forget about his troubles and just focus on the joy of entertaining others.
* His need for control. Houdini was a control freak, and magic gave him a sense of control over his environment. When he was performing, he was the master of his own destiny, and he could make anything happen.
* His fascination with death. Houdini was fascinated with death, and he often used his magic to explore themes of life and death. His most famous escape act, in which he was buried alive, was a testament to his fascination with the afterlife.
In conclusion, Houdini did magic for a variety of reasons, including his love of performing, his desire to escape from reality, his need for control, and his fascination with death.