Eric Weiss Harry Houdini (whose real name was Ehrich Weiss [or Weisz]). He initially served as a humorous foil and sounding board for Michael Vaughn in the first season, but with the integration of the former members of SD-6 and the CIA, he gives advice to many of the other characters, including Sydney and Marshall Flinkman. When Marshall's fiancée, Carrie Bowman, went into labor at CIA headquarters, she insisted on being married before the baby was born. Marshall quickly accessed the website for the dubious "Internet Church of Mammals" and obtained for Weiss the post of "Exalted Minister", which allowed him to
The Illusionist (2006 film) loosely on "Eisenheim the Illusionist", a short story by Steven Millhauser from Millhauser's 1990 collection "The Barnum Museum". Together with "The Prestige" and "Scoop", "The Illusionist" was one of three films in 2006 to explore the world of stage magicians. Magic consultancy and technical advice during the production was supplied by James Freedman, Ricky Jay, Michael Weber and Scott Penrose. Director Neil Burger wrote, "Starting in pre-production, James (Freedman) became a major collaborator; brainstorming, designing and refining everything from small sleight of hand tricks to major narrative set pieces. He worked with Edward Norton preparing him for his stage performances