From Kansas to Center Stage
Frank Anson Richards, born February 20, 1887, in Minneapolis, Kansas, turned his remarkable pain tolerance into a unique vaudeville career. A World War I veteran, Richards became famous for his ability to endure incredible blows to his abdomen.
Acts of Extreme Endurance
Richards began by letting people punch him, including heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, who reportedly struck him 75 times. He soon upped the stakes, enduring hits from sledgehammers, two-by-fours, and battering rams. His signature act involved being shot in the stomach with a 104-pound cannonball from a compressed air cannon, a stunt he limited to twice daily due to its intensity.
Connections and Legacy
Richards became acquainted with many boxing champions of his era and performed free shows for veterans and military camps during World War II. He settled in Long Beach, California, where he lived until his death on February 7, 1969.
Cultural Impact
Richards’s daring act remains iconic, featured in documentaries, TV shows, and even parodied in The Simpsons.
Frank Anson Richards, known as Cannonball Richards, amazed audiences by enduring extreme blows to his stomach. Born in 1887 in Kansas, he crafted a vaudeville act where he survived punches, sledgehammers, and even cannonballs shot at his abdomen.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/l5SjCjdXJN
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 24, 2025