Herbert Lawrence Becker (born 1951) is an American former magician,

escapologist Escapology is the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps. Escapologists (also classified as escape artists) escape from handcuffs, straitjackets, cages, coffins, steel boxes, barrels, bags, burning buildings, fish-tanks, and oth ...

, stunt performer, author, and businessman. As a magician, Becker performed as ''Kardeen''.

Biography

Early life

Herbert Lawrence Becker was born in Hollywood, Florida in 1951.

Magic

Becker performed under the name "The Kardeen Brothers" with Marc Nicols. Later, he worked solo as "The Great Kardeen". 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

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appearing weekly and

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(2001).https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0065434/ 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 ''David Copperfield'' Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work, see is a novel in the bildungsroman genre by Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from inf ...

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, and

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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 A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especial ...

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

. 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); ) 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

* ''101 Greatest Magic Secrets Exposed'', Citadel (March 2002); * ''All the Secrets of Magic Revealed: The Tricks and Illusions of the World's Greatest Magicians'', Lifetime Books, Inc. (March 11, 1997); * ''More Magic Secrets'', Lifetime Books, Inc. January 1997 * The Art of Retail As Told by the World's Leader in Retail Management and Turn Around Expert * ''John Lennon: Between the Lines'', Lifetime Books, Inc. October 1997 * ''The magic secrets of David Blaine: The street magician revealed'', Lifetime Books, Inc. 2007 (English and French Edition) * ''Magic Hands: Professional Card Trick Secrets Revealed'', Cedar Fort, Inc (April 11, 2017)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Becker, Herbert L. Living people American magicians People from Hollywood, Florida 1951 births