Johnny Eck | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Eck in Freaks (1932) | |
| Born | John Eckhardt Jr. August 27, 1911 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | January 5, 1991 (aged 79) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Green Mount Cemetery |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, sideshow performer |
| Years active | 1923–? |
John Eckhardt Jr, (August 27, 1911 – January 5, 1991), professionally billed as Johnny Eck, was an American freak show performer in sideshows and a film actor. Born with sacral agenesis, Eck is best known today for his role in Tod Browning's 1932 cult classic film Freaks and his appearances as a bird creature in several Tarzan films. He was often billed as "The Amazing Half-Boy", "King of the Freaks" and "The Most Remarkable Man Alive".
Besides being a sideshow performer and actor, the multi-talented Eck was also a folk artist (specifically a screen painter), musician, photographer, illusionist, penny arcade owner, Punch and Judy operator, and expert model-maker.