Although Houdini worked numerous jobs, from garment cutter to locksmith, by 1892 he and his brother Theo had a magic act at Coney Island. They were billed as the Houdini brothers. The name Houdini was suggested by his friend Jake Hyman, who was familiar with the reputation of the French magician Robert Houdin. At Coney Island Houdini found the love of his life, excepting his mother. Houdini and Bess married shortly after meeting.
Legend has it they met during a performance.
Houdini, in a theatrical flourish, spilt acid on Bess s new dress. She was smitten. When Houdini called on her home with a new dress, sewn by his mother, he talked her into slipping away with him to Coney Island. On the way there, they were married. Soon the Houdini Brothers became simply the Houdinis, with Bess joining the act and Theo leaving it after being bought out by his punctilious brother.