Melvin Burkhart is a born entertainer with scary tendencies (5 photos)

No matter how strange, frightening and even disgusting this artist looked during his performances, he was a virtuoso in his field. Apparently, he was really destined to become a circus performer.





Burkhart was born in 1907 in Atlanta. And from a young age he began to entertain people in every possible way. Melvin knew how to contort his body in bizarre ways. He knew how to press the stomach to the spine, incredibly lengthen the neck and make the shoulder blades protrude grotesquely from the back. He could also amazingly control his facial muscles and turn his face into a mask - smiling on one side and frowning on the other. For which he received the nickname Melvin Two-Face.



He demonstrated his unusual abilities to the public by performing in a traveling circus in the early 1920s. He made such a strong impression on the managers that they immediately invited him to join. During the tour, the artist continued to improve his skills and add new numbers to his repertoire. He could swallow swords, fire and throw knives with mathematical precision. During the Great Depression, he performed in nine of the fourteen numbers on the program.

Melvin loved to bask in the rays of his own fame and communicate with the public. And, in the end, he demonstrated a completely new and incredible feat.





Because much of his nasal cavity and cartilage had been destroyed during his time as a boxer, Melvin was able to drive objects into his nose using a huge nail and hammer. Thus was born the stage image of the Dumb Man, whose every performance was tantamount to a feat.

Burkhart performed for about 30 years. He spent most of this time on The James E. Straits Show, but also worked for Ringling Bros. and Ripley's. Later, when he was already over eighty, he worked at Coney Island. Melvin became well known for his wit - funny jokes between and during stunts. He was also known for his willingness to teach. And he happily passed on his knowledge to hundreds of people who wanted it.



Although Burkhart officially retired with his wife, Joyce, to Gibsonton, Florida, in 1989, he continued to perform for tourists and journalists until his death in November 2001 at the ripe old age of 94.

Throughout his life, Melvin was a true professional. He helped those less fortunate and entertained those who needed entertainment. Melvin was a true miracle - anatomical and human.