In the grand tradition of stage magic, a handful of names shine brighter than the rest: Harry Kellar, Howard Thurston, Harry Houdini, Charles Carter, and Harry Blackstone, Sr. Masters of illusion, pioneers of theatrical wonder—and, perhaps surprisingly to some—all proud Freemasons.
Amidst their globe-trotting tours, spellbinding performances, and adoring audiences, these legendary magicians also found time to embrace the values and fellowship of Freemasonry. Despite the temptations and turbulence of showbiz life, they held steadfast to the fraternity’s principles—proving that true magic isn’t just in the performance, but in the brotherhood.
Harry Kellar: The Patriarch of American Magic
Harry Kellar (1849–1922) is often credited as the founder of the “Royal Dynasty of American Magicians.” More than just a master illusionist, Kellar established a tradition of mentorship by passing the mantle of “Greatest American Magician” to his Masonic brother Howard Thurston. This magical lineage extended from Kellar to Thurston, then to Dante (Harry Jansen), followed by Lee Grabel, and eventually to Lance Burton.
Kellar’s legacy is not only preserved in performance but also in the heartfelt recollections of his close friend and fellow Freemason, Harry Houdini. Long after Kellar had retired, Houdini coaxed him back onto the stage for a benefit show to support the families of American soldiers lost when the troop transport Antilles was sunk during World War I. At the end of Kellar’s final public performance, he was triumphantly carried offstage to the sound of six thousand voices singing Auld Lang Syne—a fitting farewell to a legend.
One particularly whimsical anecdote from Kellar’s life involves a shipwreck in the Bay of Biscay. Among the luggage lost to the sea was his Masonic diploma. Miraculously, it was recovered by divers and returned to him, prompting Kellar to jest that it had been “inspected and approved by Grand Master Neptune.”
Howard Thurston: Master Showman and Traveling Brother
Howard Thurston (1869–1936), who received the Masonic mantle from Kellar, was initiated into Manitou Lodge No. 106 in New York City on July 22, 1907. He went on to receive the 32° in 1910 and became a Noble of Mecca Shrine Temple.
Thurston had a clever way of acknowledging his Masonic ties during performances. In one bit of stage patter, he quipped, “pronounce the magic word ‘Hiram Abif’ and the rooster and the duck will change places.” It served both as a cue for astonishment and a subtle nod to fellow Masons in the audience.
He once remarked:
“What a wonderful thing for a stranger to be able to meet the best men of the community as a brother and a friend!”
Harry Houdini: The Great Escape and a Loyal Brother
Harry Houdini (born Erich Weiss, 1874–1926) remains one of the most famous magicians and escape artists in history. Though intensely private with his magical secrets—passing them only to his brother, Theodore Weiss (stage name Hardeen)—Houdini was openly devoted to Freemasonry.
He was initiated into St. Cecile Lodge No. 568 in New York on July 17, 1923, and progressed quickly through the degrees. In 1924, he became a member of the Scottish Rite and, shortly before his death in 1926, joined the Mecca Shrine Temple.
Houdini gave back generously to the fraternity. One notable contribution was a benefit performance for the Valley of New York, which packed the 4,000-seat Scottish Rite Cathedral and raised thousands of dollars.
His funeral on November 4, 1926, was an extraordinary affair, featuring services from Jewish, theatrical, fraternal, and Masonic traditions. His final sendoff included full Masonic rites—a tribute to a life of mystery, service, and brotherhood.
Houdini was once warned by Kellar against performing the dangerous bullet catch illusion, especially after fellow magician and Freemason Chung Ling Soo (real name William Ellsworth Robinson) was killed attempting it. Houdini, out of respect for Kellar’s counsel, never attempted the act.
Charles Carter: The Global Magician
Charles Carter (1874–1936), known as Carter the Great, began his career as a magic journalist and practicing lawyer in San Francisco. Facing stiff competition at home, he took his act overseas, achieving international fame with elaborate illusions.
His San Francisco mansion still stands today, serving as a foreign embassy—an elegant reminder of his legacy.
The Great Raymond: Escapes, Feuds, and Fellowship
Another prominent name in the magical Masonic world was Maurice Raymond, known on stage as The Great Raymond. An accomplished escape artist, Raymond had a well-known professional rivalry with Houdini. However, his dedication to Freemasonry never wavered.
Upon retiring, he toured Masonic Temples across the U.S., lecturing on his career. One of his more curious stories involved a performance in Ecuador, during which he used two authentic shrunken heads as props.
Other Legendary Masonic Magicians
The fraternity of magical Freemasons includes a veritable who’s who of illusion:
- John Henry Anderson (1814–1874), famed for the bullet catch.
- Alexander Herrmann (1844–1896), known as “Herrmann the Great.”
- Frederick Eugene Powell (1856–1938), a master of elegant sleight of hand.
- Chung Ling Soo (William E. Robinson, 1861–1918), whose tragic death inspired cautionary tales.
- Dante (Harry Jansen, 1883–1955), who even made a film appearance alongside fellow Mason Oliver Hardy.
- Okito (Theo Bamberg, 1875–1963), known for his precision and poise.
The Invisible Lodge: Where Magic Meets Masonry
Founded in 1953 by Brewerton H. Clarke (stage name Sir Felix Korim), the Invisible Lodge is not a Masonic lodge in the formal sense but a unique club for Masonic magicians. It meets during major magic conventions and blends the rituals of both crafts. Appropriately, its preferred meeting time is midnight.
Members have included:
- Blackstone (Henri Bouton, 1885–1965)
- Okito
- Ballantine (Meyer Kessler, actor from McHale’s Navy)
- Jack Gwynne (1895–1969)