Dr. Larrian Gillespie is a trailblazing physician, inventor, and science communicator whose unique blend of medical expertise, historical analysis, and storytelling positions her as the foremost authority on reviewing the medical conclusions surrounding Harry Houdini’s life, injuries, and mysterious death. As the co-founder of The Houdinarian Society, Dr. Gillespie is dedicated to examining the facts behind Houdini’s health and demise with surgical precision, separating sensational myths from scientific truths.
A UCLA-trained urologic surgeon with additional expertise in urogynecology and holder of four pharmaceutical patents, Dr. Gillespie has spent decades honing her ability to interpret complex medical data and uncover the hidden details behind health-related mysteries.
Her credentials include publishing 10 peer-reviewed scientific articles and contributing multiple chapters to medical textbooks—achievements that solidify her as a highly respected authority in medicine. This expertise makes her uniquely qualified to investigate Houdini’s final days, including alleged medical missteps, untreated injuries, and the role of peritonitis in his untimely death.
Dr. Gillespie brings a forensic approach to her analyses, leveraging her background in pharmacology, angiogenesis research, urology/general surgery/gynecology and nutritional science to dissect the medical records and testimonies surrounding Houdini’s life. She is particularly skilled at identifying gaps or errors in historical medical conclusions, offering a fresh perspective grounded in modern science.
Her meticulous research aims to separate fact from fiction—was Houdini truly killed by a ruptured appendix after a punch to the stomach, or was there more to the story? Dr. Gillespie explores these questions with the rigor of a physician and the curiosity of a historian.
As an internationally recognized speaker, Dr. Gillespie has captivated audiences and scientists at prestigious events such as The American College of Surgeons, BAUS, Tales of the Cocktail, Portland Cocktail Week, and the International Farm-to-Table Conference. Her ability to translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives has made her a sought-after expert in multiple fields, including sensory perception, gastrophysics, and historical analysis.
As an historian, Dr Gillespie displayed her Victorian Mendocino Museum of Mourning at the Ford House in Mendocino, California, drawing media and public interest in an effort to restore the region’s cemeteries.
In addition to her work with The Houdinarian Society, Dr. Gillespie has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, and other national programs, sharing her insights with millions of viewers. Her career was even featured as a cover story in Parade Magazine.
She is the author of nine popular books on health and nutrition and has served on the Advisory Boards of SHAPE Magazine, Current Topics in Urology, among many others.
Dr. Gillespie’s mission through The Houdinarian Society is clear: to bring evidence-based clarity to one of history’s most enigmatic figures, while preserving the mystique that makes Houdini an enduring legend. Her thorough examination of Houdini’s health and medical records not only sheds light on his physical limits but also challenges the myths that have perpetuated for decades.
Whether you’re fascinated by Houdini’s resilience or intrigued by the mystery surrounding his death, Dr. Larrian Gillespie offers a riveting perspective that connects medicine, history, and human ingenuity.
“ Larrian is a great speaker. She really understands women’s issues and can translate “doctor talk” into language anyone can understand. I’ve learned a lot from her.”
— Cher, Academy Award Winning Actress
Dr Gillespie’s various culinary and educational training or memberships,, including IACP, LaVarenne, The French Pastry School, Ducasse, ONAOO and UCLA School of Medicine. 
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