Harry Houdini is punched nine days before his death

On October 22, 1926, legendary escape artist Harry Houdini is repeatedly punched in the abdomen by a university student testing the magician’s claim that he could withstand any blow. Nine days later, Houdini dies on Halloween from complications of a ruptured appendix, sparking a lasting debate over the cause of his death.

Canadian student J. Gordon Whitehead, accompanied by two other students, visited Houdini’s dressing room at Montreal’s Princess Theatre. Houdini reportedly agreed to be punched and allowed Whitehead to hit him extremely hard in his lower right abdomen several times while the magician lay on a divan.

The students noted that the escape artist, known for jaw-dropping stunts, seemed to be in terrible pain. But Houdini was determined to go on with the show. After performing the following evening, he traveled to Detroit, where he sent a telegram requesting medical attention. Despite a high fever and pain, he took the stage on October 24 for what would be his final performance.

After the show, he was hospitalized and diagnosed with appendicitis. During surgery, doctors discovered a burst appendix and an abdominal cavity full of pus. A few days later, a second operation failed to stop the infection. In an era before antibiotics were widely available, his condition continued to deteriorate.

Houdini, born Erik Weisz, died on October 31, 1926, at age 52. Although the timing fueled speculation that the punches had caused his appendix to rupture, medical experts have questioned that connection. It is possible he was already suffering from appendicitis.

Houdini was buried at Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, New York, where his grave continues to attract visitors, especially around Halloween.