He continued on with that billing in vaudeville for several years. When Houdini died in 1926, Hardeen inherited his act, and could properly be advertised as his successor. Hardeen was very well respected in his field not a mere shadow of his brother, he was generally regarded as someone who was almost as great as he, which was very good indeed. In 1893 the pair were performing in Coney Island when Houdini met and married Bess Rahner, and she replaced Hardeen in the act.Īt this stage Hardeen went out on his own as a solo in vaudeville, and the two brothers had something of a friendly rivalry going, as they both performed similar feats and illusions.

He learned magic and escape artistry from his brother, and in the early years they performed as a team, The Brothers Houdini. Born today: Ferencz Dezso Weisz (1876-1945), the younger brother of Harry Houdini, professionally known as “Hardeen.” Called “Dash” by his family, Hardeen was, like his brother, born in Budapest and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Bess rahner