The Owl Man, Martin Jo Laurello (6 photos)

There are very few creatures in the world that can turn their heads 180 degrees. The most famous of these, of course, is the owl. That's why Martin Joe Laurello, who was naturally gifted with the unique ability to turn his head, was nicknamed the Owl Man.





Martin Joe Laurello's real name is Martin Emmerling. He was born in 1886 in Nuremberg, to a very ordinary family. Emmerling's ability to turn his head 190 degrees was discovered in early childhood. The boy easily demonstrated his trick to his family and peers. Naturally, this ability aroused intense envy in the boys, as it was completely different from wiggling your ears.



But Martin's friends' enthusiasm was not shared by his parents. It was obvious that the boy had some anatomical peculiarities. Surgeons examined the child and quickly found the cause. Emmerling was diagnosed with a rare type of spinal curvature that allowed him to twist.





With his head turned, Martin could drink, but he couldn't breathe. Therefore, he couldn't remain in this position for long. But it was enough to knock the socks off impressionable people. Men's mouths dropped open, and women screamed when young Emmerling jokingly turned to someone on the street or surveyed the audience at the cinema.

The Birth of the Owl Man

It must be said that his congenital condition didn't bother Martin at all; quite the opposite, in fact. He realized early on that he'd won a prize and wasn't particularly eager to study. Barely out of school, Emmerling began working in various circuses and freak shows, earning a living and supporting his family.



Even during the crisis that engulfed Germany after World War I, Martin was comfortable. But over time, it became clear to the artist that he had no prospects in the Old World. Fame and fortune could be found overseas, among the quirky Yankees. So in 1921, Emmerling packed his few belongings and boarded a steamship for New York.



Martin was right – he immediately caught the attention of the show business. He signed several lucrative contracts and began touring America successfully, endorsing various products. A catchy name was essential for the job, so Martin Emmerling became Martin Joe Laurello. But not everyone knew this stage name – for millions of Americans, he was simply the Owl Man.



The life and career of Martin Joe Laurello are not mired in tragedy. Unlike many other freak show performers, he lived a comfortable life and earned a good living. As he aged, he began to suffer from back pain, but who doesn't experience that after 50?

Martin earned enough money to retire at 60 and pursue his passion. He stopped touring and only showed off his superpower to friends during parties. Laurello became interested in training dogs in the circus and successfully performed with the animals for several years. The Owl Man died in 1955 at the age of 70. The cause of death was a heart attack.