But Snopes has basically debunked this urban legend because “appendicitis following blunt abdominal trauma quite rare.” However, it certainly could be that Houdini delayed seeking medical treatment for his appendicitis because he assumed his abdominal pain was because of the punches and not because of another medical factor. There is a tale that Houdini’s appendicitis was brought on by being repeatedly punched in the stomach by a McGill University student named Gordon Whitehead when Whitehead was questioning Houdini about his rumored strength. Houdini was hospitalized after his October 24 performance and never left the hospital. He reportedly had a 104-degree fever at the time.

In fact, he took the stage the night before he was hospitalized with appendicitis. He actually began experiencing pain from his appendix more than a week earlier but did not seek medical attention. On Halloween of 1926, Houdini died in Detroit’s Grace Hospital from peritonitis, an inflammation of the internal wall of the abdomen, which was a complication from his ruptured appendix. More mysterious than any of his escapes, however, was the circumstance of his final act: his death.

For 35 years, from 1891 until his sudden death on October 31, 1926, Houdini amazed audiences with seemingly impossible escapes that became increasingly dangerous. The Mysterious Death Of The Great Harry Houdini Harry Houdini is internationally famous as the world’s foremost magician and escapologist.

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