Harry Houdini (born
Erik Weisz, later
Ehrich Weiss or
Harry Weiss; March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a
Hungarian-American illusionist and
stunt performer, noted for his sensational
escape acts. He first attracted notice in
vaudeville in the US and then as "Harry Handcuff Houdini" on a tour of Europe, where he challenged police forces to keep him locked up. Soon he extended his repertoire to include chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers,
straitjackets under water, and having to escape from and
hold his breath inside a sealed milk can.