20 Circus Freaks That Actually Existed

[Music] [Laughter] all right Professor let me tell you something that everybody around here don't know we're only killing time with this Circus the circus became a refuge for those Society rejected from the boy with claws to the woman with four legs and the girl with an extraordinarily long tongue these so-called freaks embraced the stage transforming their differences into remarkable performances join us as we delve into the extraordinary lives of circus freaks that actually existed number 20 the lobster boy in the annals of Sideshow history few performers have captured the Public's imagination quite like Grady Styles

Jr the man who would come to be known as The Lobster boy born in 1937 with a rare genetic condition called ectrodactyly which fused his fingers and toes together to resemble the claws of a lobster Styles seemed destined for a life in the spotlight Styles's father himself born with the same condition had already paved the way working in the carnival circuit as a sideshow attraction it was only natural then that young Grady would follow in his Father's Footsteps joining the family business and traveling with his similarly Afflicted siblings as the lobster family audiences marveled at

their unusual appearance and the way they could manipulate objects with their claw-like hands but little did they know of the darkness that lurked behind the curtain for all his Fame and success Styles was a deeply Troubled Man an alcoholic with a violent temper he terrorized his family and those around him his rage eventually culminating in the tragic murder of his daughter's fiance though convicted of the crime Styles's unique physical condition spared him from prison a twist of fate that only adds to The Morbid Fascination surrounding his Legend number 19 the Ohio Bigfoot girl from claws

to colossal feet the sideshow circuit showcased Nature's quirks one such Marvel emerged from the Ohio Wilderness Fanny Mills known as the Ohio Bigfoot girl born in 1860 with Milroy disease a rare condition that made her feet grow to massive sizes Mills seemed faded for life's Sidelines but Mills was not one to let her condition Define her standing just 5' 2 in tall and weighing a mere 115 lbs she cut a striking figure her petite frame contrasting sharply with her colossal feet each measuring an astonishing 19 in long and 7 in wide in 1885 Mills made

the Bold decision to embrace her unique physique and join the sideshow circuit build as the Ohio Bigfoot girl she tour the country captivating audiences with her outsized feet and Charming personality her promoters even went so far as to offer a $5,000 reward to any man willing to marry her a publicity stunt that only added to her Mystique but perhaps the most remarkable chapter in mills's story was yet to come in 1886 she met and fell in love with William Brown the brother of her nurse and the two were soon married it was a union that

defied convention and proved that love could blossom in the most unlikely of places even in the shadow of the side show tent number 18 the three-legged man while Mills astounded with her oversized feet another Sideshow sensation was about to stride into the Limelight this time with an extra leg meet Franchesco lentini the man they called the three-legged Wonder born in Sicily in 1889 with a most unusual Affliction lentini was blessed with an extra leg the result of a parasitic twin that never fully separated in utero but where others might have seen only hardship lentini saw

opportunity from a young age lentini learned to navigate the world with his unique Anatomy his third leg complete with a rudimentary foot protruding from his right hip he could walk run and even ride a bicycle his extraordinary dexterity and balance drawing the attention of Sideshow promoters across the globe at the tender age of 8 lentini embarked on a journey to the United States where he would become one of the most celebrated performers in the history of the circus bill as the great lentini he wowed audiences with his incredible Feats kicking footballs jumping hurdles and dancing

with an agility that bellied his unusual physique but lentini's story was not merely one of spectacle and Showmanship behind the curtain he was a man of substance a husband and father who defied the odds to live a life of purpose and dignity he became a naturalized US citizen married and fathered four healthy children using his earnings to purchase a farm for his family back in Italy number 17 the human torso dancing on three legs captivated the audience but the true Marvel came from a performer with no limbs at all enter the extraordinary world of Prince

randan where the impossible became reality I kind of peaked out of the corner of my eye and got Madam Tetra Alini giv us the once over H born in British Guan in 1874 with a condition known as Tetra Amelia syndrome randan entered this world without arms or legs a living Miracle whose very existence seemed to defy the laws of nature but where others might have seen only limitation randan saw possibility from an early age he began to hone his skills learning to write paint and even shave using only his mouth his dexterity and determination soon

caught the eye of the great Showman PT Barnum who knew a star when he saw one under Barnum's tutelage randan became a sensation performing Feats that left audiences gasping in disbelief let me tell you something that everybody around here don't know we're only killing time with this circus he could roll cigarettes with his lips light them with a match and smoke them with an insucient Grace that bellied the difficulty of the task his quick wit and engaging personality endeared him to all who met him and he soon became one of the most sought-after performers in

the business but Ran's life was not solely defined by his time in the spotlight he was a husband and father married to his beloved wife princess Sarah with whom he raised five children Keen intellect burned within his extraordinary frame he was also a gifted linguist and was fluent in four languages C ACT tomorrow night we got something new you can do anything with eyebrow number 16 Lionel the lion faced man if randan proved that limitations are just Illusions the next phenomenon blurred the line between man and Beast from the furthest corners of the Russian Empire

came a child whose appearance would Fascinate and shock the world his name was Stefan Bowski and his entire body from head to toe was covered in a thick leonine man of hair born in 1891 with a condition called hypertrichosis bossk's unusual appearance was the stuff of Legend some claimed that his mother had been frightened by a lion during her pregnancy While others whispered that he was the product of a mysterious curse regardless of the truth behind these Tales one thing was certain Bowski was destined for a life in the spotlight build as Lionel the lion-faced

man he became a star of the Barnum and Bailey Circus his gentle demeanor and remarkable intelligence endearing him to audiences across the globe despite the challenges he faced Bowski refused to be defined by his appearance he was a gifted linguist a skilled athlete and a devoted husband and father number 15 the camel girl while Russia gifted the world a human lion America's soil nurtured its own Botanical Wonder in the Rolling Hills of Tennessee a child was born in 1870 who would come to capture the imagination of a Nation her name was Ella Harper and from

the moment she Drew her first breath it was clear that she was No Ordinary Girl Harper was born with a rare Orthopedic condition one that would come to Define her life and her Legacy congenital genu recurvum the doctors called it a twist of fate that caused Harper's knees to bend backward giving her legs The Uncanny resemblance to those of a camel it was a condition that might have consigned a lesser Spirit to a life of isolation and despair but Harper was made of Sterner stuff from a young age she learned to embrace her unique physiology

walking on all fours with a Grace and Agility that astonished all who beheld her her unusual gate soon earned her the moniker the camel girl a name that would follow her onto the stage of the sideshow tent at just 16 years old Harper joined the wh Harris Nickel Plate circus where she became an instant sensation crowds marveled at the sight of the most wonderful freak of nature as she paraded around the big top on her hands and feet her camel-like legs curled beneath her but Harper's time in the spotlight was to be brief for she

had dreams that reached beyond the confines of the sideshow after just one season with the circus Harper made the Bold decision to leave the world of the freak Show behind with her hard-earned savings in hand she set out to pursue an education and build a life on her own terms number 14 General Tom Thumb while Ella Harper's condition reached Skyward another performer would Captivate audiences by Standing Tall in miniature in a world that often equates size with significance Charles Sherwood Stratton towered as a Titan of personality and perseverance born in Connecticut in 1838 with a

rare form of dwarfism Stratton stopped growing at just 25 in tall yet his diminutive stature concealed the enormous impact he would make on the world discovered by the legendary showman PT Barnum Stratton became a sensation under the stage name General Tom Thumb his wit charm and undeniable stage presence making him a beloved figure around the world he performed for royalty and presidents alike his Fame and Fortune growing with each passing year but Stratton was more than just a sideshow curiosity he was a Savvy businessman partnering with Barnum to build an entertainment Empire that would endure

for generations and when he fell in love with fellow performer levinia Warren their wedding became the social event of the season a celebration of the power of love to transcend all boundaries number 13 The Living skeleton while Stratton proved that greatness comes in all sizes another performer would show that sometimes less truly is more in the annals of medical history there are few faes quite so perplexing as that of Isaac W sprag the man who would come to be known as The Living skeleton born in Massachusetts in 1841 sprag was by all accounts a healthy

and robust child with no hint of the strange Affliction that would soon overtake him but as he entered his teenage years something began to change despite maintaining a hearty appetite spr's body began to waste away his once healthy frame growing gaunt and skeletal before the eyes of his bewildered doctors it was a mystery that would baffle the medical community for decades to come as spr's condition worsened his weight plummeted to a scarcely believable 43 lbs his body little more than a collection of Bones and senu it was a site that both horrified and fascinated the

public and soon the young man found himself the object of morbid curiosity meet PT Barnum the legendary showman and impressario who saw in spra an opport opportunity too good to pass up under Barnum's Wing the living skeleton became a sensation his emaciated frame and incredible resilience drawing gasps from audiences across the country but spra was more than just a sideshow attraction he was a man of rare courage and determination one who refused to let his condition Define him despite the toll his Affliction took on his body he married twice fathered three children and even outlived

the great Barnum himself number 12 Priscilla loor leaving behind the man who couldn't gain weight we meet a woman whose unique condition would weigh heavily on societal Norms from the Lush forests of Puerto Rico emerges the tale of Priscilla lther a woman whose very existence blurred the lines between human and beast born in 1911 with a condition known as Hyper trioses lowther's body was covered from head to toe in a thick coat of hair earning her the the moniker the monkey girl but LA's story was not one of isolation and despair at the tender age

of three her father brought her to New York City hoping to find answers to his daughter's unusual condition little did he know that his quest for medical knowledge would lead Laur down a path to Sideshow stardom enter Carl lther a kindly showman who saw in Priscilla not a freak to be gawked at but a child in need of love and protection under his guidance Laur blossomed her hairy Visage and koi smile captivating audiences across the country and then came love in the form of EMT bajano the legendary alligator skinned man in each other these two

Sideshow Marvels found a kindred spirit their romance blossomed defying societal norms and showcasing Love's extraordinary power to transcend The Superficial and touch the soul number 11 the Minnesota woolly girl while the Monkey Girl captivated with her dark locks a fair-haired phenomenon was about to take Center Stage meet Alice doery the girl whose very existence defied the laws of nature born in 1887 in the heart of Minneapolis Dy entered this world with a condition that would come to Define her life and her Legacy hyptosis lanuginosa from birth D's body was covered in a Downy coat of

blond hair a sight that both astonished and unsettled all who beheld her as she grew so too did her hair until by adulthood it had reached an astonishing 9 in in length for Do's parents their daughter's condition was both a blessing and a curse recognizing the potential for profit in her unusual appearance they made the difficult decision to exhibit her as a sideshow attraction a path that would lead dahy to Fame and Fortune build as the Minnesota woolly girl doery toured the American Midwest her incredible hair and Charming personality drawing crowds wherever she went but

as the years passed the toll of life on the sideshow circuit began to wear on her and at the age of 28 she made the difficult decision to retire from the stage number 10 the Siamese twins while blonde hair might have caught attention it was Chang and Ang bunker the original siamese twins who truly fascinated the world born in 1811 in the Kingdom of Siam and famous ly conjoined at the chest their unique Bond not only amazed onlookers but also coined a term that would endure for Generations discovered by British Merchant Robert Hunter the Twins

were brought to America in 1829 where they quickly became a sensation build as the Siamese double boys they toured the country their incredible Bond and uncanny coordination mesmorizing audiences wherever they went but the brothers were more than just a sideshow attraction they were Savvy businessmen negotiating lucrative contracts and amassing a fortune that allowed them to retire to a plantation in North Carolina there they defied convention once more marrying sisters Adelaide and Sarah Yates and fathering an astonishing 21 children between them despite the challenges posed by their unique physiology Chong and en lived lives of remarkable

normaly they built separate homes on their Plantation alternating between them every 3 days and became respected members of their Community number nine JoJo while Chong and en challenged our notion of Separation another performer would test the very boundaries of humanity itself from the Frozen Wilds of Imperial Russia comes the story of Fedor jeffu a boy whose very existence challenged the boundaries of what it means to be human born in 1868 with a rare condition known as Hyper trichosis Jeff T's face and body were covered in a thick coat of hair giving him the appearance of

a dog or a werewolf discovered by the famous American showman PT Barnum Jeff tuu was brought to the United States in 1884 where he became a sensation under the stage name JoJo the dog-faced boy audiences marveled at his unusual appearance and Barnum spun wild Tales of his feral Origins claiming that he had been found living in the forests of kroma but behind the hype and the hyperbole Jeff tuu was a boy of rare intelligence and charm he quickly learned to speak several languages including English German and French and became known for his quick wit and

engaging personality despite the indignities he suffered as a sideshow performer jeffu never lost his sense of humor or his love of life he formed close bonds with his fellow performers and even used his Fame to advocate for the rights of those with disabilities number eight schlitzie the Pinhead from fur to facial features Nature's canvas paints with an Ever surprising brush in the annals of Sideshow history few figures stand as tall as one who barely reached 4 feet you a hat with a bigger feather on it meet schlitzie the sideshow Legend whose childlike wonder and infectious

smile captured the hearts of a generation born Simon Mets in 1901 schit small stature and unique facial features were the result of a rare condition known as microsil but where others saw only disability schit handlers saw opportunity build as the last of the Aztecs or simply the pin head he became a staple of the sideshow circuit his endearing personality and natural performing abilities making him a beloved figure wherever he went schit Fame reached New Heights in 1932 when he appeared in the cult classic film freaks his memorable performance cementing his status as a true icon

of the sideshow world world I wish and though the film's controversial content would later see it banned in many countries schlitzie Legacy endured despite the exploitative nature of the sideshow industry those who knew schlitzie remembered him as a joyful loving presence a man whose laughter and affection could light up even the darkest of days and in the end it is that Legacy one of Hope resilience and the unbreakable human spirit that will endure long after the tents have been packed away and the crowds have gone home number seven the four-legged girl from heads of unusual

size to bodies of unexpected symmetry human variation knows no bounds in the hills of Tennessee a girl was born who would challenge the very definition of bipedal in medical history few cases are as astonishing as that of Myrtle Corbin the woman who came to be known as the four-legged girl born Bor in 1868 with a rare condition called dius Corbin was blessed with two separate pelvises side by side each with its own pair of legs but where others might have seen only disability Corbin saw opportunity from a young age she learned to walk and even

dance using her outer legs her remarkable Grace and Agility drawing the attention of Sid show promoters across the country at just 13 years old Corbin joined the Barnum circuit us where she became an instant sensation audiences marveled at her ability to move her four legs independently and doctors traveled from far and wide to study her unique Anatomy yet Corbin's life was not defined solely by her time in the spotlight she fell in love and married James Clinton bnell a man who saw Beyond her physical differences to The Woman Within together they had four children exemplifying

the incredible resilience of the human body and spirit number six the legless acrobat stealing the spotlight with four legs is remarkable but commanding the stage without any legs at all is a feat that defies belief Eli Bowen a man who redefined the limits of the human body did just that born in 1844 with Folia a rare condition where his feet were attached directly to his pelvis Bowen challenged the laws of gravity and rewrote what was possible where others saw only limitations Bowen saw a challenge to be conquered from a young age he began to train

his upper body developing a strength and Agility that would make him a legend in his time at just 13 years old Bowen joined the sideshow circuit build as the legless acrobat he astounded audiences with his incredible Feats of Strength balancing on his hands and navigating the world with a Grace that bellied his unusual Anatomy as his Fame grew so too did his repertoire he learned to ride a horse perform complex acrobatic routines and even navigate the high wire his arms serving as his only means of balance and support but Bowen was more than just a

sideshow Marvel he was a husband and a father a man who refused to let his physical differences Define him and though the world may have gawked at his unusual form those who knew him saw only a man of rare courage and determination a true American hero now it's time for today's subscriber pick while many circus performers have achieved Fame and extensive documentation countless others remain largely unknown in one show in the late 1890s a standout performer gained notoriety for her exceptionally long tongue reportedly measuring 9 in during the same performance another individual displayed a remarkably

large body part which sparked speculation among the audience that he might be faking it or using a prop to create the illusion what are your thoughts on these performers and their unique talents let us know in the comments number five the armless Wonder while some defied gravity without legs another challenged convention without arms enter the world of Francis OK Conor where limitation became inspiration born without arms OK Conor refused to let her physical differences Define her instead she honed her skills and sharpened her mind rising to become one of the most remarkable performers of her

generation from a young age OK Conor began to train herself to use her feet as others might use their hands she learned to write sew and even paint with a dexterity that astonished all who witnessed it and when the opportunity came to join the Ringling Brothers Circus she leapt at the chance to share her talents with the world as the living Venus Deo okon became a sensation her incredible Poise and Grace captivating audiences wherever she went she could thread a needle pour a cup of tea and even shoot a rifle all using only her feet

but OKC Conor's Legacy extends far beyond her time in the spotlight she was a woman of rare intelligence and wit A Gifted conversationalist who could hold her own with anyone and though the world may have marveled at her physical abilities those who knew her saw only a woman of rare courage and determination a true icon of the human Spirit number four The Elephant Man while some overcame the absence of Limbs another grappled with excess Joseph Merrick born in 1862 in Victorian London lived in a body that became his prison a rare condition called Proteus syndrome

caused severe physical deformities turning his life into a Relentless struggle his oversized head bony growths and enlarged right arm isolated him from society pushing him to the margins of existence born with with severe physical deformities due to a rare condition called Proteus syndrome Merrick's life was one of constant struggle and hardship I tried so hard to be cook his oversized head bony protrusions and enlarged right arm set him apart from society and he found himself relegated to the fringes of Life desperate to escape the workhouse Merrick turned to the sideshow circuit Mr trees don't worry

about me my friend where he became known as The Elephant Man crowds gawked at his unusual appearance and he endured the indignities of being treated as a human curiosity but Merck's story took a remarkable turn when he met Dr Frederick Trevis a young surgeon who saw Beyond his physical deformities to the intelligent sensitive man within under Trevis Care at the London Hospital Merrick found a measure of peace and dignity in his final years his Gentle Spirit and Keen mind mind earning him the admiration and respect of all who knew him number three the human owl

while some bore the weight of physical deformity another Twisted convention quite literally meet the performer who turned heads by turning his own Martin Joe lelo's incredible ability to rotate his head a full 180° earned him a place in Sideshow history and the moniker the human owl born Martin Emerling in 1886 in nurenberg Germany Lor's unique talent was the result of a rare condition that gave him an unusually flexible spine Lor's career in the circus World began in the early 1900s when he joined the Barnum and Bailey Circus his act which involved turning his head completely

around and Performing various tasks while facing backward quickly made him a standout attraction as his Fame grew so too did his reputation as a master of his craft he traveled the world with various circuses s shows including stints with Ripley's Believe It or Not and the Ringling Brothers Circus mesmerizing audiences with his uncanny ability and Showmanship but lelo's life was not without its struggles he battled alcoholism and faced accusations of being a Nazi sympathizer during World War II though these claims were never substantiated despite these challenges he continued to perform well into his 60s his

passion for his art and his love of the spotlight never waning number two the bearded lady in an era when women were expected to conform to strict standards of beauty and femininity Annie Jones dared to be different born in Virginia in 1865 with a rare condition called heroism Jones was just 9 months old when she began to sprout a full beard catapulting her to fame as the infant Esau under the management of showman PT Barnum Jones became a sensation touring the country and Dazz dazling audiences with her unique appearance and undeniable charm as she Grew

Older she embraced her role as a bearded lady Dawning elegant gowns and jewelry that accentuated her femininity while simultaneously subverting traditional gender Norms Jones's talent and Charisma made her one of the most famous and highly paid Sideshow performers of her time and she used her platform to challenge societal expectations and advocate for greater acceptance of those who were different number number one the elastic Skin Man while some challenged Society with their appearance another challenged Anatomy itself meet Felix Vera whose body became a living breathing rubber band born in Germany in the late 19th century with

a rare condition called aer's danlos syndrome probably about 8 years old messing around at school and asked a friend next to me can you do this Vera's body was a Marvel of flexibility and elasticity he could stretch the skin of his stomach out to a distance of nearly 18 in pulling it taut like a rubber band before letting it snap back into place his cheeks too could be extended to incredible lengths and he would often amuse audiences by tying his skin into knots or using it to envelop his entire face as word of wha's incredible

abilities spread he caught the attention of the Barnum and Bailey Circus who quickly signed him on as a headlining act build as the elastic Skin Man wle toured the country his uncanny contortions and bizarre demonstrations of his Skin's elasticity I've been a preschool child 3 or 4 years old I used to have an uncle about 10 years old drawing gasps and Applause from a struck crowds thanks for watching and we'll see you in the next one