 He attended acting classes in various Manhattan drama schools including summer classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, for three years was a student of Jack Miller, well known magic teacher and Dean of the Society of American Magicians.He acted in 8 plays at the New London Barn Playhouse, and performed a Houdini escape routine at the Rivera Terrace Night Club on Broadway.Kraus graduated from The Roosevelt School in Stamford, Connecticut, attended Emerson College, Columbia College Chicago, and received a BA from California State University in Los Angeles.