Escape Artist Plans Dangerous Hollywood Stunt To Honor 100th Anniversary Of Houdini's Death

HOLLYWOOD, CA — An escape artist named Houdini II plans to suspend himself nine stories above the ground outside Hollywood's famed Magic Castle Friday morning for a stunt marking the 100th anniversary of legendary magician Harry Houdini's death.

Houdini II is scheduled to attempt the escape at 8 a.m. Friday, one day before the centennial of Houdini's death.

The stunt will take place without an airbag or protective landing system beneath him, according to a news release announcing the performance.

As part of the spectacle, Houdini II also plans to throw $1,000 from the sky in what organizers describe as a symbolic gesture promoting peace, unity and global harmony.

The performance is being billed as the first live escape by an African American escape artist in front of the Magic Castle, one of the world's best-known venues for magicians.

Houdini II has performed dangerous escapes before, including jumping from Miami's MacArthur Bridge into Biscayne Bay while bound with ropes and chains, according to the release.

In another stunt, he escaped from a submerged wooden box resembling a coffin before surprising spectators by reappearing behind the audience, according to the release.

The magician recently completed a 10-month tour promoting his documentary, "Houdini II: A Beautiful Day to Die," with screenings in Berlin, London and several U.S. states. The tour concluded at Brooklyn's Bushwick Film Festival.

In addition to performing magic and escape acts, Houdini II travels nationwide as a keynote and motivational speaker, incorporating illusions into his presentations.

Friday's performance at the Magic Castle will commemorate the death of Harry Houdini, who died Oct. 31, 1926, at age 52.