Theodore Hardeen

ABOUT THEODORE HARDEEN

Brother of the legendary magician who was a noted escape artist in his own right.

He and his brother performed together on the American stage, and after his brother's marriage, he stepped away from magic for a time, returning only at his brother's invitation.

He was the first one to devise the escape from a straitjacket routine and perform it in front of a live audience--an act which his more famous brother popularized.

Although professed rivals on stage, he remained close to Harry Houdini , his brother, throughout his life.

His character appeared in an episode of the HBO show Boardwalk Empire, played by the son of Star Trek actor Rene Auberjonois .