Harry Houdini's Height
5ft 4 (162.6 cm)
Hungarian-American Magician and Escapist. In one book about him, the author mentioned Harry was very sensitive about his height and that "Houdini gave his height as 5'5", but his passport listed him as 5'4.". The author must be referring to an earlier passport, because Houdini had put down 5ft 6 as his height on a later one.
You will think I am vain to tell you these things; but I am a Magyar, and Magyars are vain. American born, Magyar descended; my parents came from Austria; my father was a clergyman in Wisconsin. My name, Ehrich Weiss; my height, about 5ft. 7in; weight, about 12 stone; 36 this month of April.
-- The Sydney Daily Telegraph
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Add a Comment10 comments
Average Guess (11 Votes)
5ft 4.16in (163cm)
5ft 4.16in (163cm)
Sandy Cowell said on 30/Jan/23
I never knew Houdini was only 5ft4. ðŸ¤
I’m quite staggered!
Maybe his shortness helped him in his work…..
I never knew Houdini was only 5ft4. ðŸ¤
I’m quite staggered!
Maybe his shortness helped him in his work…..
Pamela Divelbiss said on 2/Jan/21
Harry Houdini has always fascinated me! I saw the movie version with Tony Curtis and cried when he died... But it's the real Houdini we see in pictures, that captivates me with his charisma, intensity, amazing feats, and his eyes! I would have guessed him to be 5ft 7.
Harry Houdini has always fascinated me! I saw the movie version with Tony Curtis and cried when he died... But it's the real Houdini we see in pictures, that captivates me with his charisma, intensity, amazing feats, and his eyes! I would have guessed him to be 5ft 7.
Nik Ashton said on 29/Nov/19
He was a cool guy with such a cool height.
He was a cool guy with such a cool height.
Ian C. said on 14/Apr/18
Here is a man whose height would have been an advantage in his chosen profession. He got locked in boxes. The smaller he was, the more room he would have had to squirm around. Extremely strong, by all accounts.
Here is a man whose height would have been an advantage in his chosen profession. He got locked in boxes. The smaller he was, the more room he would have had to squirm around. Extremely strong, by all accounts.
Powerhouse said on 30/Jan/16
Looks about 5'2 in pictures, definitely looks shorter than even a 5'4 guy.
Looks about 5'2 in pictures, definitely looks shorter than even a 5'4 guy.
Tunman said on 1/Sep/15
In fact,Sam Chaplin was short but not too short.You can see sometimes guys that were shorter than him and a fair number close to his height.Average must have been 170-1 back then.
Houdini seemed indeed low average but could easily appear as short also.
Still he was an extraordinary magician,no one would pay much attention to his height.Talent can really erase things that could seem negative otherwise.
In fact,Sam Chaplin was short but not too short.You can see sometimes guys that were shorter than him and a fair number close to his height.Average must have been 170-1 back then.
Houdini seemed indeed low average but could easily appear as short also.
Still he was an extraordinary magician,no one would pay much attention to his height.Talent can really erase things that could seem negative otherwise.
Sam said on 20/Aug/15
Yeah, low average then I'd revise. A decade or so after Houdini's rise to fame, Charlie Chaplin is often known as the "Little Tramp" but is around Houdini's height. 5'7" today is often referred to as short but is only 2.5 under average in America.
Yeah, low average then I'd revise. A decade or so after Houdini's rise to fame, Charlie Chaplin is often known as the "Little Tramp" but is around Houdini's height. 5'7" today is often referred to as short but is only 2.5 under average in America.
CD said on 19/Aug/15
Apparently the average male was 5ft 6 in 1900, so Houdini was only 2 inches below average for his time.
Apparently the average male was 5ft 6 in 1900, so Houdini was only 2 inches below average for his time.
Modeus said on 18/Aug/15
similar to a 5 ft 7-8 guy today, not that short
similar to a 5 ft 7-8 guy today, not that short
Sam said on 17/Aug/15
Wow, had no idea on his height, wasn't aware he was this short, which was under average I believe even for his generation..he knew Buster Keaton when Keaton was young, didn't imagine that Keaton might've edged him out.
Wow, had no idea on his height, wasn't aware he was this short, which was under average I believe even for his generation..he knew Buster Keaton when Keaton was young, didn't imagine that Keaton might've edged him out.
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