Herbert Lawrence Becker (born August 12, 1951) is an American former magician, escapologist, stunt performer, author, and businessman. As a magician, Becker performed as Kardeen.

Biography

Early life

Herbert Lawrence Becker was born in Hollywood, Florida in 1956.

Magic

Becker performed under the name "The Kardeen Brothers" with Marc Nicols. Later, he worked solo as "The Great Kardeen". Kardeen bested then replaced Harry Houdini as the Worlds Fastest Escape Artist in the Guinness Book of World Records. He helped open the first Guinness Museums, toured with Guinness on Parade and performed at the Steel Pier and Radio City Music Hall (1976) with the Guinness show. As a magician, Becker toured worldwide until he retired in 1978. Becker appeared as himself (a magician) on the Orlando television program Bozo the Clown appearing weekly and The Maury Povich Show (2001). In his book All the Secrets of Magic Revealed: The Tricks and Illusions of the World's Greatest Magicians, Becker explained how magicians such as Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, Doug Henning, and Siegfried and Roy created some of their most famous illusions, to the consternation of his colleagues. Becker caused more unhappiness among magicians when he appeared on the television talk show of Maury Povich in March 1997 and exposed the secrets behind such well-known magic tricks as sawing a person in half. Becker has written Magic Secrets and So That's How They Do It.

Business and consulting

Becker served as chief executive officer of Barclay Road, a boutique book publishing house. Becker retired from as CEO on July 2, 2008, but continued as an advisor until the company ceased operations.

Litigation

Becker has been involved in legal disputes with David Copperfield. Copperfield sued Becker in an attempt to prevent publication of All the Secrets of Magic Revealed: The Tricks and Illusions of the World's Greatest Magicians (Lifetime Books, Inc. (March 11, 1997); ISBN 978-0-8119-0822-1) which Copperfield maintained revealed some of Copperfield's secrets. Becker then sued his publisher, Lifetime Books, for purportedly colluding with Copperfield to remove details of Copperfield's illusions.

Books