More than a century after his greatest escapes, Harry Houdini remains the most famous magician in the world.
Explore his remarkable life through rare photographs, original film footage, colorful posters, unusual facts, personal artifacts and stories from one of magic's most fascinating careers.
There is a lot to discover.
THE STORY OF HOUDINI
Follow Houdini's extraordinary journey from a young magician to the world's most celebrated escape artist.
READ HOUDINI'S BIOGRAPHYSEE HOUDINI IN ACTION
Watch surviving motion-picture footage of Houdini performing and even hear his voice.
WATCH HOUDINIHOUDINI: FACT OR FICTION?
Test what you know and discover surprising facts, strange stories and Houdini trivia.
EXPLORE HOUDINI TRIVIA
Houdini Photo Gallery
View rare photographs from throughout Houdini's life and career, including images from his personal collection.
VIEW THE PHOTOS
Houdini Poster Gallery
See the spectacular colorful posters that helped make Houdini a household name around the world.
VIEW THE POSTERS
Houdini on Film
Watch actual surviving footage of Houdini performing some of his legendary escapes.
WATCH THE FILMS
Houdini in the Movies
Houdini was a movie star too. Learn about the five Hollywood films he made during his remarkable career.
EXPLORE HIS MOVIESHoudini Was an Inventor, Too
Houdini patented a special diving suit designed to allow a diver to escape quickly while underwater.
SEE HOUDINI'S PATENTHoudini and Halloween
Discover why October 31 has become forever connected with Harry Houdini.
LEARN THE CONNECTIONThe Houdini Séances
Read the fascinating story of the annual attempts to contact Houdini after his death.
READ THE STORYHoudini's Hollywood Star
Houdini's fame reached far beyond the stage. See his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
SEE HOUDINI'S STARHoudini's Homes
Visit the homes Houdini maintained in New York City and Los Angeles.
VISIT HOUDINI'S HOMESThe Houdini Postage Stamp
Learn about the official U.S. postage stamp that contains its own magical surprise.
SEE THE STAMPHoudini's Desk
Explore Houdini's ornate carved desk, decorated with bats, fanciful figures and hidden compartments.
EXPLORE THE DESKHoudini's Family Bible
See the antique family Bible that was autographed three separate times by Houdini.
SEE THE BIBLEThe Houdini Envelopes
Explore the remarkable envelopes and correspondence discovered inside Houdini's desk.
EXPLORE THE ENVELOPESWANT TO KEEP EXPLORING?
There is even more Houdini information available through historical and government resources.
FIND MORE HOUDINI INFORMATIONBRING A LITTLE HOUDINI INTO YOUR OWN WORLD
Houdini wasn't only an escape artist. He began with traditional magic and continued performing magic throughout his career. You can still perform many of the same kinds of effects today — or explore authentic Houdini collectibles and memorabilia.
Magic history is filled with conflicting accounts, uncertain dates, publicity claims, and stories repeated over many years. We make every reasonable effort to present accurate information based on the sources available to us, but historical sources sometimes disagree and new information may come to light. If you have documented information that may help us correct or improve this page, please contact us.
