Sold into the circus at eight years old, a boy with an unknown real name became one of the most recognized faces in 20th-century entertainment. He traveled under the big tops of Ringling Bros., standing four feet tall while drawing vast crowds. He eventually landed a breakout role in a controversial 1932 Hollywood film.
Yet, decades later, this performer found himself abandoned in a Los Angeles hospital ward, stripped of the colorful life he had ever known, until a chance encounter with a sword swallower altered his fate.
A Mysterious Childhood Under the Big Top
Born around 1901 with microcephaly, resulting in a small skull and the mental capacity of a toddler, Schlitzie’s exact origins remain unclear. Some records suggest he was born in New York, while others point to New Mexico. His parents sold him to sideshow operators Stephen and Augusta Mills.
Billed under names like “Monkey Girl” or the “Last of the Aztecs,” Schlitzie toured with every major circus. He performed in dresses, a wardrobe choice allowing caretakers to change his diapers easily. On stage, he often counted to ten, consistently skipping the number seven to the crowds’ delight.
Reaching Hollywood Fame in 1932
Schlitzie transitioned to the silver screen, with his career skyrocketing in the 1932 horror movie Freaks. The film featured actual sideshow performers and generated massive controversy. Critics assailed the movie for its grotesque elements, and one woman even threatened to sue MGM by claiming the film caused her miscarriage.
Despite the widespread public backlash, critics and the film crew adored Schlitzie. Journalist Faith Service noted that he was a favorite on the MGM lot, charming everyone with his soft speech and innocent demeanor.
Institutionalized After Decades of Performing
In 1936, chimpanzee trainer George Surtees adopted Schlitzie and signed him to the Tom Mix Circus. Surtees cared for Schlitzie until his death in 1965. Without Surtees, the performer was left completely unprotected. Surtees’ daughter opted not to take care of him and had him committed to a Los Angeles hospital.
For two years, Schlitzie lived isolated in a clinical environment, far removed from the bustling crowds and the only lifestyle he had known since childhood.
An Unexpected Rescue and Final Years
In 1967, a sword swallower named Bill Unks recognized the former movie star at the hospital. Unks successfully petitioned to become his caregiver, pulling him out of the facility. Schlitzie returned to performing briefly and eventually retired in Los Angeles, spending time feeding pigeons in MacArthur Park.
He died in 1971 at the age of 70. Initially buried in an unmarked grave due to a lack of funds, fans later raised money to place a simple black stone at his resting site in Queen of Heaven Cemetery.