10 Circus Freaks That Actually Existed!

Dizzying tightrope acts, fearless predator tamers, hilarious clowns: if you want to see for yourself what acrobatic feats humans are capable of, you should definitely drop by a circus! While today's circus acts are always subject to some degree of social change, and more and more showmen are refraining from including wild animals in their programs, things were completely different in the past.

#TheUnknownList

[barrywainwright]

What's amazing is most of these circus performers all got married. I'm a single guy that's normal and I can't even get a coffee date.

[fredfarquar]

I remember seeing the movie “Freaks” when I was about 13 (late night on tv). It was a fascinating movie! The movie treated them all as ‘normal people’ with personalities, needs, wants, amazing skills, and heart. The ‘torso’ was particularly impressive; just from the dialog, I got the impression he was pretty intelligent. Glad to find that impression was correct. ‘Schlitzie’, the poor one with the mind of a three-year-old, was obviously a very sweet, happy, and kind person. The movie affected me deeply, and I had a somewhat corrected and much better view of people born with deformities or disabilities after seeing it.

[noam]

I agree, while Barnum profited, he offered them gainful employment, and a chance for socialization. Life would have been much more cruel than Barnum.

[scottherald]

Every so called "Freak" had and has a heart and soul. Thier differences didnt make them any less human.

[doloreswinquest]

PT Barnum probably gave these people a good life. He treated them fairly, paid them well for their acts, and gave them a home and a family. I think that he did a good service for them.

[judypetree]

Many of the Circus people settled in Gibsonton, Fl. They get by with a little help from surrounding cities and by government support. They are kind, gentle people.

[Angelmade]

The fact that back then they were tossed aside or put other places to live out their lives. He was a blessing. I am so glad we have matured and medically grown to help with all the special needs that they had back then.

[ashantijackson]

The same people complaining about P.T. Barnum are the same ones that talk about homelessness being a problem but seek to do nothing to help it. He created a life and family for people that would be in institutions and staring at the walls. Why not make a good wage while traveling across the country?

[wingrider]

"There's no normal life, Wyatt. There's just life."

Doc Holliday

[tamarrajames]

I was part of a Circus Sideshow in the early 1960s, and we had a social community when not on stage. I was able to understand that they were upset by the move toward not having freaks in shows, as it was not politically correct. They had a job they enjoyed, were paid well, and were independent. They felt that people wanted to shut them away, and deny them a career in show business for reasons other than consideration of the freaks feelings. It was a very good time in my life, working with them.🖤🇨🇦

[gregorylambrihgt]

Treated them well, paid them well, gave them friends, Gave them a life they probably enjoyed.

[georgeparrault]

The Folks that have Been Called Freaks are an Inspiration to Many.

[waynemallett]

I went to some of these shows in the 50's and 60's and once a woman asked why the man in the show would let people point and laugh at him. He said people laugh and stare at him anyway but that he was making 400 dollars a week instead of 50.

[Jammo]

When Barnum went bankrupt it was general Tom Thumb who bailed him out of the red and got him back on the road again and if Barnum didn't pay him what he was rightly due then he wouldn't have been in a position to bail him out when Barnum needed it, and from what I've read he treated all of his side show acts fairly even though it was straight up exploitation in that day and age there probably wasn't or wouldn't have been many other opportunities for a better life for them.🤔😒😒😒

[terrybeasley]

In this time, families often kept family members who were"freaks" out of sight. Either locked in attics or sent to mental hospitals. Being in circus was only way for them to make money and live a "normal" life. Ya do what ya gotta do.

[feralbluee]

Thanks for telling people about P.T. Barnum. he paid well and treated his performers like human beings. and, as you say and we know, these people would have had sad lives for the most part, being put in asylums and ignored.
the man who was called The Elephant Man, had a horrible childhood into adulthood, being totally exploited and treated like an animal. the “owner” even stole all his money and left him in Germany. He got back to England and was found by a medical doctor who gave him a good life. he became famous and met very important people. He had a great day the night he laid on his back to sleep and died, as he knew he would. so Barnum was a good guy. 🌷🌱

[amandashelton]

I know a bearded lady who was in the circus. She was abused before she worked for the circus. They were her family. They were well off too. Most of the freak's became famous and rich. Some freak's suffered abuse and neglect before the circus adopted them. I also have family members who were freak's. They are normal people with rare conditions and abilities.

[paulshallbetter]

The move from 1932 "Freaks" is actually a very good film about circus life, intrigue, treachery and deceit. It also featured many "special people" of that era, including a midget (not "dwarf, " or "little person, " as he appeared to be both proportional and not sexually mature), two microcephalic people ("pinheads"), a bearded lady and others. Interesting that the movie was banned by the newly- created Hayes Office and didn't see the screen for many years after its production.

[clmaynor]

I can't imagine being a Siamese twin and having to share a bed with your sibling, your spouse, and your sibling's spouse. Must have been many awkward moments.

[mitchtheminister]

Final years
In his later years, Schlitzie lived in Los Angeles, occasionally performing on various sideshow circuits both locally and internationally (he frequently performed in Hawaii and London, [9] and his last major appearance was at the 1968 Dobritch International Circus held at the Los Angeles Sports Arena). Schlitzie also became a notable attraction performing on the streets of Hollywood, with his caretakers selling his stock carnival souvenir pictures. Schlitzie spent time in his final days on Santa Monica Boulevard. He liked going to MacArthur Park at Alvarado Street and Wilshire Boulevard, where he would visit the lake with his guardian, feeding the pigeons and ducks and performing for passersby.[10]

Death
On September 24, 1971, at seventy years old, Schlitzie died at Fountain View Convalescent Home. His death certificate listed his official name as "Shlitze Surtees" and his birthdate as 1901. Schlitzie was interred at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights.