Theodore Hardeen | |
|---|---|
 Hardeen in 1905 | |
| Born | Ferenc Dezső Weisz March 4, 1876 |
| Died | June 12, 1945 (aged 69) Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Magician |
| Years active | 1893–1945 |
| Relatives | Harry Houdini (brother) |
Ferenc Dezső Weisz (March 4, 1876 – June 12, 1945), known as Theodore "Dash" Hardeen, was a Hungarian-American magician and escape artist who was the younger brother of Harry Houdini. Hardeen, who usually billed himself as the "brother of Houdini", was the founder of the Magician's Guild. Hardeen was the first magician to conceive escaping from a straitjacket in full view of the audience, rather than behind a curtain.[1]
- ^ Hardeen, Theodore. (1903). Life and History of Hardeen. A promotional pamphlet sold at performances wherein Hardeen explains how he came to do the straitjacket escape in front of an audience. Hardeen does not take credit for the idea, he merely states the facts.