# Harry Houdini

> Hungarian-born American illusionist, escapologist, and stunt performer (1874–1926)

**Wikidata**: [Q131545](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131545)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Houdini)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/harry-houdini

## Summary
Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-born American illusionist, escapologist, and stunt performer, celebrated for his mastery of magical techniques and sensational escape acts. Born Erik Weisz in 1874, he led a multifaceted career as a performing artist, film producer, director, and historian until his death in 1926. His legacy includes defining the art of escapology and serving as a prominent figure in the early 20th-century entertainment landscape.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 24, 1874
- **Nationality:** Austria–Hungary, United States
- **Education:** [Data not available in source material]
- **Known for:** Escapology, illusionism, stunt performance, and film production
- **Affiliations:** Society of American Magicians
- **Field(s):** Performing arts, film, history, aviation, philosophy

## Contributions
Harry Houdini contributed to the performing arts through his professional involvement with the Society of American Magicians, the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world, which was established in 1902. In the realm of cinema, he took on multiple roles behind and in front of the camera, working as a film producer, film director, screenwriter, and actor to create motion pictures that documented and dramatized his craft. As a historian and philosopher, he engaged in scholarly exploration, contributing to the intellectual understanding of his field. Additionally, his work as an aircraft pilot and stunt performer expanded the boundaries of physical entertainment and risk-taking.

## FAQs
**What were Harry Houdini's primary occupations?**
Houdini was a versatile performing artist known primarily as a magician, illusionist, and escapologist. He also worked extensively as a stunt performer, actor, film producer, film director, and screenwriter. Beyond entertainment, he was an aircraft pilot, historian, and philosopher.

**Where was Harry Houdini born and where did he live?**
He was born in Austria–Hungary, a multinational empire in Central Europe that existed from 1867 to 1918 with its capital in Vienna. He later became a citizen of the United States, a federal presidential constitutional republic in North America.

**What awards did Harry Houdini receive?**
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an award located in Hollywood, California, United States.

**Was Harry Houdini involved in any professional organizations?**
Yes, he was associated with the Society of American Magicians, which is recognized as the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world.

**What are some other entities named "Houdini"?**
Aside from the famous illusionist, the name "Houdini" is associated with a 2024 single by Eminem and a single by the band Foster the People.

## Why They Matter
Harry Houdini matters because he revolutionized the field of escapology, transforming it from a novelty into a major theatrical attraction that relied on masterful illusion and physical endurance. His diverse career as a film producer and director helped bridge the gap between live performance and the burgeoning film industry of the early 20th century. By engaging in intellectual pursuits as a historian and philosopher, he elevated the public perception of magicians and performing artists. His membership in the Society of American Magicians underscored his commitment to the professionalization and community of magic.

## Notable For
- Being a Hungarian-born American illusionist, escapologist, and stunt performer.
- Career spanning from 1896 to 1926.
- Holding a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Membership in the Society of American Magicians.
- Working as an aircraft pilot.
- Serving as a film producer, film director, and screenwriter.
- Identifying as a historian and philosopher.
- Using aliases including Erik Weisz, Ehrich Weiss, Harry Weiss, Erich Weiss, and Erich Weisz.

## Body

### Identity and Early Life
Harry Houdini was born on March 24, 1874, and passed away on October 31, 1926. He was originally named Erik Weisz and was also known by various aliases, including Ehrich Weiss, Harry Weiss, Erich Weiss, and Erich Weisz. He was a human, a member of the species Homo sapiens. Houdini was born in Austria–Hungary, a multinational empire in Central Europe that existed from 1867 to 1918. This empire was known for its rich cultural heritage and political stability, with Vienna as its capital and German as its official language. Later in life, he became a citizen of the United States, a sovereign federal republic located primarily in North America, consisting of 50 states and a federal district.

### Career and Occupations
Houdini's professional life was defined by a wide array of occupations within the performing arts and beyond. He was a **magician**, defined as a performing arts entertainer who demonstrates magical techniques, including illusions, sleight of hand, mental effects, escapes, and other tricks. As an **illusionist**, he was an artist who mastered illusion. He is specifically noted for being an **escapologist**, practicing the art of escaping from restraints, and a **stunt performer**, executing dangerous physical acts for an audience.

Beyond magic, Houdini was a **performing artist**, participating in the performing arts in front of an audience. He worked as an **actor** in dramatic or comic productions across film, television, theatre, or radio. His involvement in the motion picture industry included roles as a **film producer**, supervising the making of films; a **film director**, controlling the artistic and dramatic aspects; and a **screenwriter**, writing content for films.

### Intellectual and Technical Pursuits
Houdini's interests extended into intellectual and technical fields. He was a **historian**, a scholar who dealt with the exploration and presentation of history. He was also described as a **philosopher**, a person with extensive knowledge of philosophy. Additionally, he was an **aircraft pilot**, a person qualified to control an aircraft in flight.

### Affiliations and Recognition
Throughout his career, Houdini was affiliated with the **Society of American Magicians**, the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world, which was established in 1902. His contributions to entertainment were recognized with a **star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame**, an award located in Hollywood, California, in the United States. His active work period is documented from 1896 until 1926.

### Geographic Context
Houdini's life spanned two distinct geopolitical contexts. His birthplace, Austria–Hungary, was a constitutional monarchy and a significant European power until its dissolution in 1918. His adopted country, the United States, is a global superpower with a federal presidential constitutional republic government, known for its cultural, economic, and military influence. The U.S. operates under a constitution ratified in 1788, with Washington, D.C., as its capital.

### Related Entities
The name "Houdini" is also associated with other cultural works distinct from the individual. These include a 2024 single by Eminem and a single by the band Foster the People. These entities share the identifier but are separate from the historical figure of the illusionist.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Genealogics
3. LIBRIS. 2007
4. [Discogs](http://www.discogs.com/Kon-Kan-Harry-Houdini/release/321976)
5. [Source](http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2011/jun/04/inside-david-copperfields-holy-grail-wizardry-las-/)
6. biography
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. MusicBrainz
11. [Source](https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/findingAid.cfm?eadid=01275)
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. SNAC
14. Internet Broadway Database
15. Find a Grave
16. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
17. Proleksis Encyclopedia
18. Croatian Encyclopedia
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. CONOR.SI
21. BBC Things
22. Quora
23. The Movie Database
24. Golden
25. performing-arts.ch
26. Catalogo of the National Library of India