Johnny Eck (John Eckhardt Jr.)

Johnny Eck 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 – 1980 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.