Theodore Hardeen
| Theodore Hardeen | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Ferenc Dezső Weisz March 4, 1876 Budapest, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | June 12, 1945 (aged 69) |
| Occupation | Magician |
| Relatives | Harry Houdini (brother) |
Theodore "Dash" Hardeen (born Ferenc Dezső Weisz (Hungarian name order: Weisz Ferenc Dezső), March 4, 1876 – June 12, 1945), known simply as Hardeen, was a Hungarian 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 submerged straitjacket in full view of the audience, rather than behind a curtain.
Hardeen was born as Ferenc Dezső Weisz (also spelled Ferencz Dezso Weisz) in Budapest, Hungary, and went by the name of Theodore Weiss when the family was living in Appleton, Wisconsin. He was known as "Deshi" and later "Dash" by his parents.
In 1893, Hardeen performed with Houdini at Coney Island as "The Brothers Houdini". While there, Harry met and married Wilhelmina Beatrice "Bess" Rahner.
Will Goldston, English stage magician and editor of the Magician Annual, wrote that:
Hardeen learned his business from Houdini, and he learned it well, as no man could have failed to do with such a master. But the natural ability was always there. Even if Houdini had not existed to point the way, it is quite likely that Hardeen would have become an escape artiste. I have seen him perform several times, and have marvelled at his achievements. The huge chains in the cartoon are hardly an exaggeration of those from which he breaks loose. The handcuffs but a simple thing compared with those with which he is used to toy. Hardeen, like his more famous brother Harry Houdini is a great favourite in the magical world. He is a man of considerable culture and one of the best raconteurs I have ever met. Like Houdini, he is willing to expend both time and money freely to further the cause of magic. Both the amateurs and the professionals of our number regard him as a friend. And the general public regard him as a brilliant artiste and a thrilling entertainer.
After his brother's death in 1926 Hardeen played the vaudeville circuit, doing many of Houdini's routines. From 1938 to 1941, Hardeen was featured in Olsen and Johnson's Broadway revue, Hellzapoppin, and during World War II he performed for the troops (as his brother had done during World War I).
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