Buzz
For many young individuals, getting their first tattoo or piercing marks a significant milestone. The thrill of defying norms is a universal desire during those adventurous years. However, some discover that the sting of the needle or the mark left on their skin signifies a deeper passion for body art, leading them to adorn themselves extensively. These individuals have committed their lives to standing out in the most extraordinary ways imaginable.
10. The Enigma
While it's unclear if Paul Lawrence enjoys jigsaw puzzles, his appearance might lead you to assume so. Known for swallowing swords and even inserting an electric drill into his nose, his body is a canvas of blue puzzle pieces. Over 200 tattoo artists have contributed to Enigma's intricate designs, with as many as 23 working on him simultaneously at one point.
The Enigma has also made a name for himself in the media, featuring on shows like The X-Files and Penn & Teller. His performances include daring acts such as 'The Kiss of Death,' where he uses a chainsaw to slice an apple held in his mouth, lighting cigarettes with power tools, and even inserting a needle into his eye.
9. The Zombie Boy
Zombies are arguably more popular now than ever before, with new films about the undead hitting theaters every summer. However, Rick Genest doesn’t need to watch a movie to see a zombie—he just needs to glance in the mirror. Genest has invested over $4,000 CAD in tattoos, yet he can hide them all, as shown in the incredible video above (jump to around 1:30 to witness the change).
Hailing from Quebec, Genest got his first tattoo at 16. After leaving home and meeting Montreal artist Frank Lewis, his zombie-inspired transformation began, culminating in his identity as the Zombie Boy six years later. While his tattoos initially appear skeletal, a closer inspection reveals a decaying body complete with swarming insects.
8. Bear Big Ears
Daryl Belmares boasts extraordinarily large earlobes. To be precise, it’s not his ears but his earlobes that are massive—so much so that he can wrap them around his face. Belmares has dedicated himself to pushing the limits of how far he can stretch this often-overlooked piece of skin. With 14-centimeter (5.5-inch) holes, his earlobes hold the title of the world’s largest stretched earlobes.
For nearly three decades, Belmares has worked as a professional body piercer. He views his craft as a spiritual practice, drawing parallels between the role of a piercer and that of a shaman in various cultures.
7. The Hawaiian Mutant
Kala Kaiwi’s appearance may seem otherworldly, but every detail is meticulously crafted by human hands. With 75 percent of his body adorned in tattoos, a bifurcated tongue, over 70 piercings, facial silicon implants, and stretched earlobes and nostrils, Kaiwi stands out even among the extraordinary. However, he takes it a step further by embedding metal spikes into his skull.
Kaiwi’s striking look is deeply rooted in his indigenous Hawaiian heritage, which serves as his inspiration. His commitment to his appearance is evident—he even uses his own brand of stainless steel spikes. Remarkably, he performed all his piercings himself.
6. Etienne Dumont
Art critics are often pictured as refined individuals in tailored suits or trendy glasses, sipping champagne at gallery openings. Etienne Dumont, however, shatters that stereotype. Hailing from Geneva, Dumont is fully covered in tattoos, sports silicon horn-like implants on his forehead, large rings in his earlobes, and Plexiglas piercings through his lips and nose.
To live up to his title as 'Living Art,' the 60-year-old Dumont held a photography exhibition in 2009 at Geneva’s Krisal gallery. He got his first tattoo in 1974, but unlike others on this list, Dumont has clarified that his tattoos hold no spiritual significance—he simply finds them 'entertaining.'
5. The Zebra Man
Horace Ridler, known professionally as The Great Omi or The Zebra Man, was a celebrated sideshow performer. His striking appearance, featuring black and white striped tattoos covering his entire body, made him unforgettable. Ridler enhanced his look with black lipstick and nail polish, ensuring he stood out even more.
However, Ridler wasn’t always this way. Before his passing in 1969, he remarked, 'Underneath it all, I’m just an ordinary man.' Yet, his history as a World War I hero, where he was honored for bravery and exceptional conduct in Mesopotamia, suggests he was always meant to be extraordinary.
4. The Illustrated Lady
Julia Gnuse was born with a unique condition called porphyria, which causes her skin to blister and scar easily when exposed to sunlight. Surprisingly, it was her doctor who suggested she consider tattoos, particularly using ink that matched the color of her scars. Gnuse took the advice, and what began as a medical remedy quickly turned into a passionate pursuit.
By the time she turned 55, an astonishing 95 percent of Gnuse’s body was adorned with tattoos, securing her a place in the Guinness World Records as the World’s Most Tattooed Woman.
3. Catman
Do you prefer cats or dogs? Dennis Avner, also known as Stalking Cat, was undeniably a feline enthusiast. The Native American took his devotion to his totem animal, the tiger, to extraordinary lengths. Avner underwent extensive tattooing, multiple piercings, and surgical procedures to implant whiskers, reshape his face, point his ears, and sharpen his teeth—all in homage to his love for cats.
By all accounts, Avner was a friendly and approachable individual. While many with extreme modifications perform in sideshows, Avner maintained his career as a computer programmer. Despite being one of the most visually striking people on Earth, the US Navy veteran was tragically discovered deceased in his Nevada home in November 2012.
2. Lucky Diamond Rich
Lucky Diamond Rich has dedicated over 1,000 hours to sitting in a tattoo chair—equivalent to about 40 days. Gregory Paul McLaren, a New Zealander, is a man of unwavering commitment. His entire body, including his eyelids, the spaces between his toes, his ears, and even his gums, is covered in tattoos. He has also replaced all his natural teeth with gleaming silver ones.
Not satisfied with having 100 percent of his body inked, Rich is now working on covering his black tattoos with white ones. When he’s not in the tattoo or dentist’s chair, Rich spends his time juggling chainsaws and swallowing swords. Since 2006, McLaren has held the title of the World’s Most Tattooed Person.
1. The Lizardman
If you could resemble any animal, which would you choose? Eric Sprague asked himself this question and found his answer. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Sprague became one of the first individuals to split his tongue and endured 700 hours of tattooing to achieve his unique look.
In addition, Sprague had his teeth reshaped into fangs, his lips tinted green, and his septum and earlobes stretched to extreme sizes. When he’s not enjoying his time in the spotlight, Sprague performs as a contemporary sideshow artist, showcasing his talents in fire-eating and sword-swallowing across the globe.
