Top 5 Renowned Sideshow Performers

Let's begin by addressing the sensitive language often associated with the sideshow community. The word 'freak' has been used as an insult, but for some, it has been reclaimed as a source of empowerment. While we won't use the term to describe sideshow performers, it's important to recognize that certain artists are comfortable with it.

Now that we've cleared the air, let's explore the famous performers who brought sideshows into the spotlight during the 19th and 20th centuries. From extraordinary medical conditions to daring stunts, these entertainers captivated audiences and continue to influence cultural memory.

5: Schlitzie Surtees

Schlitzie Surtees (sometimes spelled Schlitze) is widely recognized for his role in the 1932 Tod Browning film 'Freaks,' where he portrayed one of the 'pinhead' characters—an outdated term we no longer use. Born with microcephalus, Schlitzie's condition caused an unusually small head circumference [source: Minnesota Dept. of Health]. Inaccurately, performers with this condition were often presented as the last of the Aztec or Mayan races or even as a distinct race altogether.

Schlitzie performed as a woman, as developmental disabilities made him incontinent, and a dress was easier for diapering. He performed with various circuses and appeared in a film featuring Charles Laughton and Bela Lugosi. In the 1930s, Schlitzie was adopted by a chimp trainer, but later, the trainer's daughter committed him to a mental institution.

However, Schlitzie's story had a positive turn. He was eventually found by a fellow circus performer, continued to perform, and lived independently until his passing at age 71 in Los Angeles [source: Pednaud].

4: Chang and Eng

Even those with only a passing knowledge of sideshow acts likely know the famous 'Siamese Twins,' Chang and Eng. While 'conjoined twins' is the preferred term today, it was Chang and Eng who brought the condition into the cultural spotlight. Born in Siam (modern-day Thailand) in 1811, the twins were joined at the chest. They later toured America and Europe, performing in many sideshows and traveling troupes [source: Nickell].

By 1838, the twins had retired from the sideshow circuit and settled into their American lives, purchasing a Southern plantation where they owned 33 slaves [source: Nickell]. They married sisters and followed a strict schedule, with their wives living in separate homes on opposite ends of the plantation. They spent three days at a time in each home. Together, they fathered 22 children. In 1850, P.T. Barnum lured them out of retirement to help fund their children's college education. The twins toured Europe again, but in 1874, Chang passed away in his sleep. Despite not sharing any organs, Eng died shortly afterward [source: Pednaud].

3: Annie Jones

A list of famous sideshow performers wouldn't be complete without a bearded lady. Among the many who fit the description, Annie Jones earns a spot due to the remarkable length of her career. She was barely one year old when P.T. Barnum, always eager to showcase unusual individuals, persuaded her parents to let her join his museum show. Annie became known as the 'Infant Esau,' a nod to the famously hairy Esau from the Old Testament.

Annie earned a substantial amount from her performances with Barnum, but she was kidnapped by a phrenologist eager to profit by displaying her. Fortunately, she was soon rescued and went on to perform for 36 years with Barnum's shows and other venues. Initially the 'Infant Esau,' then the 'Esau Child,' she eventually became known as the 'Esau Lady' [source: Pednaud]. In addition to growing long hair to complement her beard, she became an accomplished musician.

2: Zazel

While a human cannonball wasn't typically considered a 'freak' in the traditional sense, it wouldn't feel right to omit one from a list of famous sideshow performers. And, if we interpret 'freak' in a kind, non-derogatory way — referring to something or someone unusual — it makes sense to call Zazel (also known as Rosie Richter), the first human cannonball, a bit freakish. After all, how many people do you know who would willingly volunteer to be shot from a cannon?

Not Zazel. A British aerialist, Zazel became the first person to be launched as part of an act. At just 16 years old in 1877, she took her first flight at the Royal London Aquarium, soaring 70 feet (21 meters) on her debut attempt [source: Pednaud]. The Great Farini, a famous tightrope walker who crossed Niagara Falls in 1860, created the 'cannon' used to propel humans into the air [source: Niagara Falls Info]. While the cannon created an explosive effect to captivate the audience, it actually relied on springs to launch Zazel across the ring [source: Pednaud]. Though nets were employed to catch her, Zazel missed her landing and retired after suffering a broken back.

1: Ella Harper

While some of the sideshow performers we’ve mentioned were born with well-known conditions like conjoined twins, others had rarer conditions that continue to intrigue. Ella Harper, known as the 'Camel Girl,' was born with congenital genu recurvatum, a condition where her knees bent backward. Due to this unusual anatomy, Ella found it more comfortable to walk on all fours.

This earned her the nickname 'Camel Girl,' as her bent knees and unique walking style gave her a resemblance to the camel, an animal known for its backward-bending legs. In fact, Harper often included a camel in her performances, providing a direct comparison. However, the reality was that she was simply an ordinary teenage girl, and by the age of 16, she had left the world of sideshows to pursue education [source: Pednaud].