Harry Houdini was born on March 24, 1874, in Budapest, Hungary (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). At the age of four, his family moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, where his father worked as a rabbi. Houdini began performing small magic tricks at a young age and made his stage debut at the age of 11.
In 1894, Houdini married Beatrice Rahner, who became his lifelong assistant and collaborator. Together, they performed in vaudeville and toured the world with his escape acts. Houdini's signature escapes included being suspended upside down and chained in a straightjacket, escaping from sealed milk cans and water-filled tanks, and walking through solid brick walls.
Houdini was also a master of misdirection and deception, and he used his skills to create illusions that astounded audiences and defied explanation. He often performed feats that seemed physically impossible, but he always ensured that there was a rational explanation for his tricks.
In addition to his stage performances, Houdini also starred in several silent films, including "The Master Mystery" (1917) and "Terror Island" (1920). He also wrote several books on magic and exposing the secrets of fraudulent spiritualists and mediums.
Harry Houdini died on October 31, 1926, at the age of 52, from complications of a ruptured appendix. He is considered one of the greatest magicians and escape artists of all time, and his legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.