Buzz
While the strongman, the bearded lady, and the renowned Siamese twins Chang and Eng are widely recognized, they are just a few examples of the extraordinary individuals who graced circus sideshows. This list highlights lesser-known but equally fascinating performers who deserve the same level of fame.
10. Millie and Christine McCoy
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, conjoined twins Millie and Christine McCoy, connected at the hip and sharing several essential organs, captivated audiences as 'The Two-Headed Nightingale.' Born into slavery in 1852, they were sold before turning one to James P. Smith, who purchased them for $6,000 along with their family to keep them united. Smith ensured the twins received a comprehensive education, including training in music and dance.
They developed into stunning vocalists, earning the moniker 'Nightingale,' and were also skilled pianists. Performing for over three decades, they even toured with P.T. Barnum for a time, accumulating considerable wealth. Sadly, a fire consumed most of their belongings, leaving them in financial hardship until they succumbed to tuberculosis at 61.
9. Francesco Lentini
Francesco Lentini was technically one of a pair of conjoined twins, though his 'brother' attached to his spine consisted solely of genitals and a leg. With 12 healthy siblings, his condition was unexpected. Legend has it the midwife delivering him hid him under the bed and fled in fear.
After doctors deemed surgery too risky, Lentini’s parents helped him navigate his disability, as he faced frequent ridicule. However, a visit to a children’s institution, where he saw others in worse conditions, inspired him to embrace life. For 40 years, he performed with circuses like Barnum’s and Coney Island, earning the title 'The King.' In his later years, he embraced comedy, joking that he always bought two pairs of shoes, gifting the extra one to a one-legged friend.
8. Percilla Lauther
dual rows of teethThe couple eventually eloped and toured together for years, earning the title 'The World’s Strangest Married Couple.' Lauther even made appearances on Jerry Springer, occasionally showcasing her singing talent. After retiring, she had to shave every three days to manage her rapid hair growth. They stayed married until Bejano’s passing in 1995, nearly six decades after their wedding.
7. James Morris
James Morris, born in New York in the 1800s, had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition that allowed him to stretch his skin to extraordinary lengths. Known as the 'India Rubber Man' or the 'Elastic Skin Wonder,' he gained immense popularity, particularly when he pulled the skin from his neck over his eyes. He entertained friends and even military comrades, building a reputation that led to a successful career.
Another star of the Barnum circus, Morris earned up to $300 weekly. However, his struggles with various addictions forced him to take on a second job as a barber to support himself. Sadly, the condition that gave him his unique ability also caused significant pain, with welts and scars forming in the areas he stretched.
6. Violetta
Violetta, born with tetra-amelia syndrome, had no arms or legs. Despite this, she displayed remarkable dexterity, combing her hair and sewing without assistance. Her condition caused no additional health issues, and she was said to possess heightened senses compared to the average person.
She occasionally performed as the 'Beautiful Armless and Legless Venus,' renowned for her flawless torso, which doctors declared unblemished. At the conclusion of her shows, a nurse would carry her around, permitting the audience to touch her if they desired. However, some overly bold individuals attempted to kiss her, prompting Violetta to respond by jabbing them sharply with her shoulder, often hard enough to bring tears to their eyes.
5. Isaac W. Sprague
Isaac W. Sprague lived a typical childhood until age 12, when he began losing significant weight. His severe malnourishment made work difficult, leading him to join a small circus before becoming part of P.T. Barnum’s show as 'The Human Skeleton.' After Barnum’s American Museum burned down, Sprague narrowly escaped and later married, fathering three sons.
Facing financial struggles, he rejoined Barnum but ultimately died in poverty in 1887 due to a gambling addiction. He often sipped milk from a flask around his neck to stay conscious. Before his death, he stood 168 cm (5’6″) and weighed just over 18 kg (40 lb). He donated his body to science in hopes of uncovering the cause of his extreme thinness.
4. Commodore Nutt
In 1862, P.T. Barnum encountered George Washington Morrison Nutt performing as a midget in a small countryside sideshow. Appalled by the poor treatment from his manager, Barnum reportedly paid Nutt’s parents $30,000 to secure the boy’s services for three to five years, with the promise of providing him a proper education.
Nutt became a fierce competitor of General Tom Thumb, another of Barnum’s miniature stars, as both vied for the affection of Lavinia Warren, a fellow circus dwarf. Their rivalry even turned physical at one point. Heartbroken when Warren chose Thumb, Nutt avoided romantic relationships for years.
3. The Pig-Faced Lady
The legend of the pig-faced lady emerged in the 17th century and gained widespread popularity in England. During the winter of 1814–1815, London was rife with rumors about a nobleman’s daughter who supposedly had the face of a pig. Newspapers claimed to have eyewitnesses who swore they had seen her. Capitalizing on the hype, circuses began advertising their own pig-faced ladies.
All of these claims were hoaxes. The most outrageous was a fair in the 1850s, where their so-called pig-faced lady turned out to be a shaved, intoxicated bear dressed in women’s clothing.
2. Hottentot Venus
Her real name was Sara Baartman, a member of the Khoikhoi tribe in South Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries. After European soldiers attacked her family during her betrothal ceremony, Baartman was left orphaned and widowed at 16. Taken to Cape Town, she worked as a domestic servant before being brought to England five years later. Her prominent physique made her a sensation among the English, who gazed at her semi-nude body for four years.
She later moved to France, where she was exhibited as Hottentot Venus, kept nearly naked except for a loincloth. She died at 26, and her brain and genitalia were removed and displayed until 1974. Thanks to Nelson Mandela’s efforts, her remains were returned to South Africa in 2002 after an eight-year campaign.
1. Lazarus and Joannes Baptista Colloredo
The Colloredo brothers are among the earliest recorded conjoined twins, living in the early 17th century, over 150 years before Chang and Eng. They toured Europe, achieving fame and wealth. Their celebrity even earned them an audience with King Charles I and Queen Henrietta, showcasing their widespread recognition.
While Lazarus was fully functional and reportedly fathered several children, his brother Joannes was more of a parasitic twin attached to his torso. Joannes had limited mobility and no ability to communicate, so Lazarus would cover him with a cloak or blanket when not performing. In a bizarre twist of fate, Joannes ultimately saved Lazarus’s life.
Historian Henri Sauval, who interviewed Lazarus multiple times, recounted an incident where Lazarus killed a man after being mocked. However, the court spared Lazarus, as executing him would also mean killing Joannes, who was innocent.
