Herbert L. Becker

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 1951.

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.

Publications Becker is the author of Typing by Design, an instructional typing text published by McGraw-Hill in 1982. The book was used in educational and business training contexts and was later distributed through business education channels, including Pitman Business Education.

Other 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)