The funny fool Schlitzie Surtees: the fate of the most famous freak of the 20th century (9 photos)
The sight of this hideous, yet sweet, kind, lively, and welcoming man evokes not so much horror as sympathy and affection. He was familiar to most circus and moviegoers of the first half of the 20th century. Even today's contemporaries recognize his face: after all, many online make GIFs from stills from his films, and demotivators from his photos... But few know who this man really was. 
He went down in history as Schlitzie Surtees, but his real name may have been Simon Metz. It is believed that he was born on September 10, 1901, in the Bronx, New York City; however, this is nothing more than conjecture. His unusual appearance and bizarre behavior are due to a rare condition called microcephaly (an infant developmental disorder). 
People with this condition have a very small skull, and therefore a very small brain. This is why Schlitzie's height stopped at 122 cm, and his intellectual development was equivalent to that of a three-year-old child. This terrible condition prevents a person from fully caring for themselves or speaking clearly, and their vocabulary is limited to a few words or phrases. At the same time, the doctors who observed Schlitzie noted that the patient had excellent hearing, excellent reaction time, and the ability to imitate. 
Microcephals were called "pinhead men" in the circus. They are usually very good-natured and resemble small children in their behavior.
There is no information about his birth parents, but historians speculate that the child may have been bought by traveling circus performers, and that his subsequent guardians were, as a rule, his employers. Like many unfortunate individuals with mental or physical disabilities, Schlitzie performed in circuses, various amusement parks, and shows, but that's a topic for another article. It's worth noting here that the emcee typically referred to these performers as "pinhead men," "the missing link in evolution," and the actor himself was billed as "The Last of the Aztecs" (referring to the nation's degeneracy at the time), "the monkey girl," or simply "What's that?" 
The circus troupe Schlitzie belonged to
Schlitzie performed with midgets, bearded women, Siamese twins, the famous "caterpillar man," and the like, but it was this little freak who was remembered by audiences for his charming smile and cheerful voice. During his long and illustrious theatrical career, Schlitzie performed in the arenas of all the most famous circuses in the United States. But true recognition and success came with his role in the acclaimed 1932 film "Freaks," directed by Tod Browning. The film told the story of a traveling troupe, and the main roles were played by real circus performers with physical disabilities. 
Still from the 1932 film "Freaks"
The release of this "blockbuster" sparked heated debate not only among film critics but also among many viewers. As a result, the film was withdrawn from theaters for thirty years, and Browning had to search for work for quite some time. Historians say Schlitzie managed to appear in a few more films, including a small role as a "furry mammal" in "Island of Lost Souls" (1932), and a mentally ill criminal in "Tomorrow's Children" (1934). He also had other film credits, but little is known about them. 
Schlitzie's wax figure 
A turning point in Schlitzie's career can be considered the year 1935, when fate brought him together with chimpanzee trainer George Surtees. He not only gave him his last name but also surrounded Schlitzie with care and attention. With extraordinary inspiration, the actor performed in the arenas of nationally renowned circuses, but his happiness lasted only until 1965, when his friend, mentor, and "father figure," Surtees, died. The trainer's daughter refused to continue her father's work and further develop the circus business, and Schlitzie was sent to the county psychiatric hospital. 
But fate was kind to the star "great fool": the famous illusionist and sword swallower Bill Unks, who was trying to earn some money after a tour, learned of his insanity. The artist realized Schlitzie needed to be saved—he was extremely depressed without the opportunity to perform. Bill Unks managed to convince doctors that Schlitzie could continue performing in the circus under the management of entrepreneur Sam Alexander. This event can be called a rebirth for the legendary child actor. 
Schlitzie's performances continued until 1968, but pneumonia in 1971 cut short the life of the famous freak. The death certificate was issued with the name Schlitzie Surtees, thus immortalizing not only the unusual actor but also his mentor and adopted father.
