Houdini, hoo DEE nee, Harry (1874-1926), was an American magician who won fame throughout the world as an escape artist (see Magician). Houdini could quickly free himself from apparently escapeproof devices, including leg irons, 10 pairs of handcuffs, jail cells, and nailed crates. His most sensational feat consisted of escaping from an airtight tank that was filled with water.