Harry Houdini
(aka Cameron B.)

Hi, my name is Harry Houdini. I was born in Budapest, Hungary  in 1894. My family came to America and settled in Wisconsin. My real name is Erich Weiss. I had three brothers and three sisters. I grew up in a poor family and I wasn't well educated, but I was very athletic. When I was 17 years old, I got interested in magic. I changed my name to Houdini because of my favorite French magician named Robert Houdini. At age 19, I married my wife Bess, who was my assistant on stage too.

I tried every type of magic from cards to illusions and escapes. I became famous for my escapes from chains, handcuffs, locks, even straitjackets. They call me the world's best escape artist. I also became a producer, writer, actor, pilot, stuntman and inventor. In 1926, when I was in one of my U.S. tours, I started having stomach aches. Since I was a stubborn man, I continued with my shows. After one week of pain, I collapsed out on stage in Detroit. I died when I was 52 from appendicitis.

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