26 Circus Freaks That Actually Existed! Historical Photos
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 พ.ย. 2024
- 26 Circus Freaks That Actually Existed! Historical Photos
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Link: • 26 Circus Freaks That ...
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It was about 1959 or 60 (4-5 yrs old) when I saw a Circus come to town by rail and "parade" to the fair grounds (New Britain, Ct). My Dad took me to watch the parade and later the tents go up and I did watch Elephants pulling tent ropes and was of course amazed. We did go one evening but I honestly don't remember the show itself...however, what I do remember vividly was the Freak Show. I remember two performers in particular the sword-swallower, an older man in a beat-up tux that let me touch his throat as he put a curved blade down his gullet and the other, a man without limbs beyond elbows or knees and his act was just taking out a cigarette, striking a match and smoking who spoke to me the whole time and they impacted me profoundly about what people are beyond what I see
Different times now…I hardly tell people about seeing things like that as a kid these days since it feels more like I'm relating being abused but I think my Dad let me see things like that to not be afraid just because someone or something looks different
I remembertje fat man I'd never seen someone so big😮
My mom still has a photo she bought of a "little person." I did not know that even back then you could buy autographs on photos. I guess that is one way he made money. She still talks about that and as I said has the picture in a photo album.
it was a more ignorant time....where ppl were displayed as 'freaks' being handicapped or disfigured in some way...or simply looking different then white europeans...like the african boy they kept at a zoo in NEW YORK CITY.... yes...up north...in the union....who killed himself... the societal norms are different... thank god......but ppl r the same ignorant mass crowd....wanting freak shows...and blood.
how r u still alive? :P
She is in her 80's.
I love how you highlight their talents and not degrade their differences. Nice job.
Agreed 🤝 applauds there uniqueness not there differences- wT you see is true - an truth speaks volumes-/ no masks here but today's celebs have masks on for TV but the truth shows the evol behind there masks - did he an others in music are
Agreed 🤝🙇♂️
Let's get real...they did not have "talent", in the way we understand that word. They were willing to showcase their various deformities, for money and fame. They did not really have a choice, did they?
me too. i liked that as well
@@curbozerboomer1773 no but the played the hand they were dealt also they had other qualities
You did a great job of showcasing these people as human people and not freaks to be gawked at. Good job
they were literally freaks who's job it was ..........to be GAWKED AT.
I agree it's always nice to hear positive things when in their time they were just a side act to stare at someone now would never do what they did for humanity but they didn't know anything better and it was good money
No his white washing history he is telling us these people were revered but they weren’t they were laughed at and put in circus show callled freak show, let’s learn the truth and the truth of how people saw people with deformities
Lmao even tho the title of the video calls them freaks
Yeah, lots of them were in the movie called Freaks, it’s disgusting how they were treated
We have modern day circuses, they're just referred to as TikTok and Twitter.
And "The View"
And the TLC channel.
@Clink ---- yes we do still have these freak shows. it's called TH-cam.
And lifetime---- like the show about Gypsy Rose Blanchard.
Or "Democrats".
I just want to just say that I am so impressed with the amount of respect and truthfulness this channel gave these individuals. While we know some of them were exploited, there were more still that handled their own careers. Some becoming quite wealthy because of it. They knew that finding a job that would hire them (especially in that day and age) would be impossible. What I really loved was the fact that they were allowed to explain to their audience what life was like with their disabilities or afflictions. I subscribed to this channel today due to the respect that the CC gave to these marvelous individuals.
I did the same. Lately I’ve been explaining to my young son about the vast differences of people - their bodies, abilities, personalities, faces, everything. I’m going to show him this video so he can learn that back then, the circus was one of the only choices they had. Today, they would probably be bullied mercilessly. I’m hoping my son’s generation will be an accepting one. 💕
Shut up
The piercing didn't harm him but he died from cancer from all the xrays
Ooooh nooooooo!
😢
When we get to heaven we will wish we were there years ago
Too real man 😂
That's the first thing that came to mind
God bless them all. Life couldn’t have been easy.
👍👍👍👍
They made a lot of money though
@@julianadamico4702 Yeah, but it's sort of like being a famous porn star because you have the world's shortest sausage. No matter how much you're paid, it's gonna' get to you sooner or later.
Makes it all the more impressive what bosses they all were right
@@robins.9700 Absolutely
I like this video. It's upbeat and positive instead of the usual droopy and depressive expression and verbal description. Thank you
O
On
Nice that your comments about them were all very upbeat. Many of them actually had tragic lives, but yes - being different - they were able to make a living for themselves.
I love the way you speak so highly of these people and speak so supportively . Thank you for that, very classy. Well done. 💜
Johnny, the second guy, is an absolute Chad for living his life to the fullest and developing his talents despite the unfair hand he was given at birth.
HOW DID HE PEE??
How did half man pee?😮
@@Adampalonshorts we all wondering
@@armyshope he must've peed through the mouth 💀
@@Adampalonshorts did somebody have to pee in his mouth b4 he could pee out his own mouth? That's where I get confused with your answer. Lol,haha I'm laughing
At least they all made a living from their unique looks
I like my brandewyn with coke cola
National Socialism dealt with their types much differently, the humane & dignified approach is much better & this is something "modern" day Offendiks forget when they criticise Freak shows of bygone days!! In times of depressions some of these people were managing to live "decent" lives. It defo paid Barnum & his sort to treat them well & not to bite the hands (if present?) that fed him!! 💯
@russell-di8js what are talking about? We're talking about Anericans and Europeans, that hadn't known socialism yet.
@@Madonnalitta1 O dear! your not really well up with history other than tv are you? Honest now? Life b4 Russian revolution. Slavery abolished pre 1810 here, dress things up with titles but facts is facts!!
2:34
When i was a child, you had to go to a circus to see a fat bearded woman. Now they are everywhere!
Yeah! Can you imagine anybody paying money to see a fat lady these days?
Bahahahahahahahahah
Also men women & lady boys
How can you tel ...when they wear burkas
Underscoring the point that modern day society has become a circus.
I absolutely love and appreciate how you presented this topic with so much respect to these amazing people.
First dude must have had healing factor of Wolverine
David Blaine does the same trick. He just kn9ws where to pierce without causing bleeding.
@@tindekappa9047 He got stabbed in some organs, just not vital ones
Ppl that do that learn how to physically move their organs out of the way,, enabling them to poke thru themselves...you notice it's always somewhat peripheral and they're clearly sucking in and holding their body in a certain way. Fact, look it up.
Right?! I can't see how to move on without knowing more
I love how to talk so positively about everyone.
me too
50cm woman “in her short life”…..
STAND UP, when you are talking to me! Lol!
@@peterstone9316 Talking?
i thought same thing.
I was the world youngest human once in my life
@@peterstone9316taking on me take me on
This is the best video on the subject. Very well narrated.
The narration is AI generated, but impressive nonetheless.
This was a really nice show, I appreciate how respectful the narration was.
Too bad alot of the comments aren't.
Your incredibly warmhearted and kind presentation of these unique people as sensitive and "normal" humans, each with a story to tell deserving of respect and compassion earned you a wholehearted like and sub from me! Very nice job. I look forward to seeing what else you have to say!
And people find it hard to believe that being different is a good thing. Variety is the spice of life.
Mother nature's endless tinkering
Pwople realize it's great being different, we are watching those that haven't celebrated and gor used to differences by trying very hard to "be different"
Many of us figured out being different was best, wns came in handy later ..
But too many pushed the idea of constant "inclusion"
It's ok to be excluded and have clubs where no, not everyone is welcome.
I imagine almost every one of these people would choose being born normal, if given the choice. They just made the most of their situation. It's brave.
some of these people were in pain due to their deformities
Awww, Johnny Eck is my favorite! "Freaks" is a great movie!
The two-faced man? The one with a face on the back of his head? He’s probably made up… There’s no documentation or other concrete evidence to prove that he really existed aside from stories and tales. For all we know, he’s just a made up legend. 🤷♀️
tonight....we will be ready
Americas Got Talent recently had a performer built like Johnny Eck who did a great act and was voted through!
@@ultimatewitcherfan6677 No, Johnny Eck was a real person who was missing the lower half of his body. I heard some time ago there was going to be a biopic made about him but I don't think it ever happened.
@@melaniedaniels228 Yes, there were rumors about a Johnny Eck biopic, but I don’t think anything ever came of it. I haven’t seen one in stores or theatres anywhere. Not sure if one will ever be made.
Bro really said the shortest girl in the world had a short life. Savage.
@shayne9999AI has a dark sense of humor 😆
American horror story did their research
Totally agree! That was one of their best seasons!
Agreed
Looking at the guy that could turn his head around makes my neck hurt lol
Imagine taking a test in school and you look up and the person sitting in front of you has their head twisted around stealing your answers
General Tom pulled the best ever impression of General Napoleon, for sure.
Bro looks like Hisbula
Boorgir
Btw is it Just me or in one picture he had reptilian eyes 😦
In 1988 I happened to see "Freaks" on German television and thought that, fortunately, that was a thing of the past. Then, in 1996/97, when my wife and I visited a circus in Ludwigshafen am Rhein (BASF city!), we were dismayed to see for the first and last time an act with a woman without a stomach. The film “Butterfly Circus” deals with the topic in a good way. Greetings!🇩🇪🤝
Goes to show that beauty lives on the inside, remarkable and beautiful people, thanks for the video.
I really appreciate how you describe each person here with dignity and respect. And when any of these performers were exploited, you explain that as well.
Ohhhh.. so it took me 30yrs to know that the term Siamese Twins originated from literally a pair of conjoined twins from Siam, Thailand.
Well, me too!
I always just thought it was a type of cat so I never understood why they were "cat twins"
@@DallasG83 lol
@@DallasG83We are Siamese if you please. We are Siamese if you don't please. 😸
Its considered racist now
We had a cat that was born with his back legs on backwards. He lived a good life.
🥺🥺🥺
gross
Hope
Did he forward facing knees like a human?
Oh my gosh! Our cat also had a litter with a kitten with backwards hind legs. Unfortunately, our kitten passed way at 3 months old. She would climb up the couch and curtains when playing. It was such an amazing experience watching her keep up with her siblings.
Many of these performers earned extremely large sums of money although often exploited, and who could blame them
No they did not. What are you talking about?
I remember the Freak Shows that came to the Minnesota State Fair as a young child. Even then it was surreal to walk into a tent and see the people who making their living working the shows. It was a tough life and the time's were different then in the 60's.
Now-ah-days they could have a go-fund-me site, for possible operations ?
I remember not only the Freak Shows but the tents with the Hootchy Kootchy shows, if you know what I mean. I was a little kid and never got to go in but saw lots of men. I wondered later on why they thought this was appropriate for a county fair.
Im 64. I traveled with my parents to MN in summer of 1974 to visit new in laws...Waverly area. I vaguely remember going to one of these shows. I dont recall much but it was a small local one. Weird times
That persisted at least until the early 80s at county fairs in Ohio. I went to one show that featured a guy known as The Penguin Man. He had deformed hands and feet with no arms or legs to speak of. His act was essentially to waddle out and then light a cigarette, which was quite challenging with his disabilities. I'll never forget the look of utter disappointment on his face as he performed his act one more time just to survive.
@@LizGibson-wk5uo Today's medical technology can fix many of their conditions.
How sad that children were bought+ sold like merchandise. They had so much to deal with+ made the decision to deal with it+ perform to support their families. Very much respect to all these amazing people 💓🤗
So refreshing, as many other have said in the comments, of you to be so humble to all these people. That's a video of heart, thank you🌟
We should be thankful for our lives
Apparently Johhny Eck did have legs and feet but they were so small they weren`t worth having. It still baffles me how so little of a person can reamin alive and active, he lasted to a good age too.
Thanks cuz I wondered how he lived so long if he had no way to poo
@@tobiassavage7799 yeah that would be pure tourture
How the heck did he pee?
An Absolutely Fascinating Video. Thanks for Sharing.
😬😬😬😬😬
This video was wonderfully presented. So respectfully written. The narrator is wonderful! So happy that you, ( narrator), are not an AI voice. Very appreciated!
How strong must these people have been emotionally and mentally
Talk about making lemonade about out lemons. Great video. These people were exceptional. No quit in them.
Sadly parts of the video were a bit misleading as many of these people didn’t have a choice to quit. Most were forcefully made to work and abused greatly
@@UnwrittenSpade Aren't we all.
The half man "Jonny Ek" (sorry for spelling his name wrong) was an incredible person. He didn't let society tell him "NO".
Spell it correctly by clicking "edit" and adding a c
I would take any of them over the kids of tiktok today.
At least TikTok doesn't censor, you must love communism. Dipsshiht
Number 16 smile makes my heart warm
I have never seen such a genuine smile
Bless that person
truly truly amazing !! So when we complain about things, we cannot do even with all our faculties just remember these folks and I think you’ll have a great life
Yes, unless you have serious mental health issues.
Every man has a third leg but playing soccer with it is truly amazing.
LMAO ! I am a very concrete thinker. Very left brain. I never understand jokes, and when explained, I usually don't find them funny. BUT...I do and only understand racy jokes. So LOL
Hahaha 😂lmao
😂😂😂. Class!
Lol just imagine if every man had a third leg that big, it would change golf & croquet forever 😂🤣
Untill 2024 🤪
I'm impressed at how many of these people were able to keep strong and make something of their life. The circus was exploitative by nature but they didn't care so much as it was a means to an ends and they became performers. I'm genuinely happy for them.
Thank you for doing this video! My favorite was Schlitzie whose bright eyed smile and reactions captured my heart. Having learned of all of these amazing humans has awakened a true appreciation for this precious gift of Life.
I'm really impressed with how you celebrate their talents without criticizing their differences. Well done!
Damn hunters arms are sick af. Dude is buffed in every muscle. Fascinating people!
When I was a kid me and my brothers would sneak into the freak-show tents at the county fair, then the carnies would chase us out. The big fat bearded lady always made me laugh, I still laugh 60yrs later when I see one today. It used to cost 10 to 25 cents, now it's free.
Especially at Wal-Mart. I think Wal-Mart must have a secret discount for odd, freakish people -- especially the morbidly obese ones who never seem to buy (or use) soap and travel all over the store in those electric carts they have up front.
Pfffhahahhaahahahaaaahaww!
Oh, damn! That was good. Made me immediately think of Wal-Mart, where you have to dodge the Smellylardobeests and Fatassasaurus Nastibitches on those electric carts Wal-Mart uses to lure them into the store.
Charmien is the original muscle mommy. Great video
Yes! Thank you!
Exactly
She is beautiful
Being conjoined twins would suck so bad, especially knowing if your twin died, you were on the way out too...
Thank you for presenting these people as they truly were, normal human beings.
The presentation was tastefully executed. Kudos
The half man...i have so many questions
So,So many.
What's below the torso? 😂
How he shit?
I can understand being born with no legs but surely its pretty impossible to be chopped at the waist!
@@janewhitethat's what I was thinking. I'm assuming doctors had to give him a "way." Idk if I want to know what those method (s) are though.
This is sad to me knowing that someone has to live in a cruel world as they had too being as they were. 😢 it’s hard enough being normal and dealing with the bull you know what, much less being handicapped like they were. Thanks for sharing this.😅
We still have circus freaks. They're called politicians. But these people had courage, humor, a rare inner spirit, strength, and did the best they could with what they had in their day. ❤️
New sub here..love these type of videos..i enjoy the fact you focus on the good points and not the behind the scenes aspect, which can make some people hate the Circus kinda like how animal's are mistreated ❤..but all good has bad😢
These were not freaks, they were HUMANS who were just different! GOD BLESS THEIR SOULS!
Freaks…
They’re freaks, can’t u read the title?!
So what is a freak then?
They proudly billed themselves as freaks, lay off the virtue signaling!
I am not an animal!
Great video, fantastic subject.
I liked and subscribed 😊
Thank you! ❤️
I'm fascinated by side show performers. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. This video is so uplifting, honoring these individuals as awesome folk. And, thank you for your respectful attitude regarding their careers. I, and many others, wish they could still have such careers, if they so choose.
The one thing I find frustrating and sad is that the "enlightened" people who who protested and eventually ended Side Shows didn't consider the consequences. For most of the "circus freaks",whose physical conditions and deformities prevented them from being hired in any conventional occupation, lost their only means to support themselves.
The first man likely was born with a condition that has no pain receptors. Amazing…
Or was VERY knowledgeable about how to insert the sword
I read where he said that demons were responsible for letting him do those things and he wanted to get away from them and died doing it!!!
It's not even about pain, how the heII was he puncturing vital organs and not dying/bleeding out? You go run a sword through your intestines and liver, pull it out and you'd die to blood loss/internal bleeding.
@@iregretnothing3685 most likely he avoided his organs. Accurate medical texts were available at the time, it's not impossible.
You got a new sub and likes for every video!
Thank you 😊
It's amazing how they even made it to adulthood in those early years.
Why I’ve not found this channel earlier? Such a interesting content at least in this video! 👍🏼
Very well done ! I thought that I knew most of the players who were in the “sideshows” of the 19th and 20th centuries. I learned so much from your post; several players I had never heard of. I look forward to checking out other videos from your channel. Thank you!
I remember the Side Shows. In New York State Fairs. A man pushed long needles like hat pins through his well built arms. We have lost all this now due to self conscious "woke" scientism, where "everything is explained". I am 78.
Now, you don't even have to go to the circus to see a freak show.
I know just go to a LGBTQ parade.😭😭😭
@@MrG77nah they just need to look at your mum
At 12:49 - Re Edward Mordrake 's existence.. If he didn't exist then how come we are looking at his mummified skull?..
Wow! I love this channel and this video is so amazing.. I was surprised to see that some of these people were from the movie “freak”, my favorite movie.. I subscribed as well
"The four-legged girl from Texas was called......the four-legged girl from texas"
I bet she was honest and faithful - right up to the end !
They're the nicest people anyone could meet.
Yeah, especially the lobster boy.
How would you know that?
Bro really said "worlds smallest human" and proceeded to say "throughout her short Life"😂
You should edit out the repetition of using AI scripting. "didnt let it hold them back" "became the talk of the town, main attraction, popular attraction" every time.
Didn't notice
Really? That's your one comment after watching such a great video? Get a freakin life
@@jenniferviolet4034 Giving tips on how to modify AI scripting is enough of an issue for you to reply about it? Really? Maybe you need to get a life.
@@jenniferviolet4034 "Get a freaking life"?!?
Rather poor choice of words given the subject matter.
I was a T.A. for an upper division writing credit in college (before AI). This is not a symptom of AI. AI learns this from our writing. There were so many students who leaned on the same repetitive crutch. Even with a thesaurus, it takes real self control to not reuse the same phrases when writing. Even professional novelist do it. For example, I love Simon R Green, but he will use the same phrase over and over again. All of his characters, regardless of who taught them to fight, swing their swords in "short, quick, arcs" repeatedly.
I suffer from the same issue, even knowing it exists. I had to edit this to remove my own repetitions.
Very Well done Sir!!
I also loved how you did their highlights and their lives.
Its nuts to hear about the few who were stolen and sold, and those femal twins being used and abused by their own family.
Good Job to the mother who sued to get her sons back!
i love how i recognize some of these people from the movie "the greatest showman" which revolves around P. T. Barnum and his circus :)
Same, that movie is one of the only musicals that I enjoy watching
This is the stuff that interests me a whole lot, thanks for sharing your craft with us.💯👍🏾
Might sound crazy, but it seems like people were more accepting in the terrible horrible past. Everybody would be screaming about how they were being exploited and everything if it happened today. But these people made a good living and raised families and mainly gained acceptance based on them "exploiting" themselves. Maybe we don't know as much as we think we do about the past. 🤔🤔🤔
Well, there's Abby and Brittany Hensel, the conjoined sisters, who do ok. They "exploit" themselves and make a living from it. Most of these oddities would be considered disabilities now.
Most ignorant comment here, do an ounce of research
@@erinkinsella91 so hateful ❤️❤️❤️
Imagine being that upset over a comment on some random TH-cam video. I hope your life gets better.
Yeah, saddly we dont have cool freaks like this in modern day. Sometimes we can read about some indian born with 20 fingers, but they are unfortunately operated at the hospitals, rather than put into circus shows where they belong.
Why don't we have people like this around now ?
we do but are treated through medical means. and this kind of thing has fallen out of favor
Yeah, saddly we dont have cool freaks like this in modern day. Sometimes we can read about some indian born with 20 fingers, but they are unfortunately operated at the hospitals, rather than put into circus shows where they belong.
Great to hear n see that these people are respected n unique instead of just being freaks of nature, shows that all nature should n are wonderful great video.
You spoke so gently and truthfully about these dear souls. Thank you for respecting them as just like you and I- people. May their dear souls rest in peace.
I find myself loving every one of them.
Thank u very much 😊 I enjoyed this so very much 😊
Imagine werewolf girl and lion man having kids! 🤔
We can breed that gene for people in the northern hemisphere, perfect for the cold winters! 😁
"Breed"... You'd have to "breed" first them, then their children, then the kids of their kids and even that is barely going to be enough. Even if you inteoduce other people into it, that's still pretty fucked up. And thats why we dont do eugenics.
i bet everyone watching this tried to see how far they can turn their heads round?
fair play to those who succeeded , sorry for those with a neck ache 😀
I am a neuroscience researcher. I have studied the human brain for over 30 years. You can have conjoined twins, but there can only be two separate personalities and thoughts if the brains are separate. There is a surgical operation that was once performed for epilepsy which then divided the visual fields, involving recognizing objects and words, but it never created two personalities. Sounds more like it's based on Robert Louis Stevenson and Jekyll and Hyde
Fascinating and educational. Thank you! God bless them all.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!! Beautiful and heartbreaking!!
I was hoping you didn't leave out my old pal Grady Stiles. He lived down the road from me in Gibtown otherwise known as Gibsonton. He was a problem for sure and you are right, alcohol was the cause of most his troubles. Thanks for the video, your pal Lefty!
2:51 “Why didn’t someone tell me my butt was so big?!?” /President Scroob
Nice video. I knew about most of these performers but there were a few I've never heard of. The strong woman for instance.
You really did an excellent job being respectful and interesting of course you have a beautiful voice which makes it more enjoyable but the respect you gave these performers just fantastic
The Barnum and Baily Circus "side Show" ended sometime around 1966 after complaints that these persons 'o display' were being exploited. I was at the last one ... I still have the ticket stub.
You can't exploit the willing!!!
I’m pretty sure I went to that show myself. I was pretty young.
P.T. Barnum liked to troll... 😂
Always feel so conflicted about this subject. On one hand it’s extremely exploitative and seems cruel.. then on the other some of these ‘performers’ had a much better and happier life than they would otherwise have had. Interesting video nonetheless. Much love ❤️
Mexican guy had an amazing sense of humor. Had a tumor and tattooed a face on it 😂❤
He said he had a miserable life too though.🥺
@@jillemburey3214 I could imagine 😿
A brilliant documentary showing different people 😊
I'm surprised that John Merrick, aka the elephant man, was not on this list. His story was both fascinating and tragic.
We can see them for free at Walmart now.
Lol, Walmart always seems to have alot of weird looking people