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"World's Fattest Lady"

September 8th, 2009
fat boxer
fat boxer
Originally uploaded by mo pie

Show History has a fascinating compilation of names and pictures and brief biographies of fat people who worked as attractions in carnival sideshows. (They were also known as “freaks.”)

A little background:

Professional Fat Folk of an earlier age lived to astound a public for whom not having enough to eat was a real possibility, and even a commonplace. From the 18th Century to the beginning of the 20th Century being fat was a sign of health and prosperity.

Seemingly devouring a constant plentitude of food that their audiences may not have had, the showbiz of girth and jiggle was a universal attraction in carnival sideshows, dime museums and circuses.

Fat people used to perform in many different ways, every sideshow looking for a new gimmick. They used to entertain by performing go-go dances, running 50-yard dashes (thanks, Weet, for that link), bicycling, doing acrobatics, and–yes–boxing. A surprising number had stage names beginning with “Jolly” or “Happy.” One was called “Ima Whale.”

Reading this list makes me wonder more about the lives of some of these performers–Dottie Blackhall, for example, was a 600-pound woman who ultimately committed suicide. Anroe Brown, “The Georgia Giantess,” was born into slavery. Clifford W. Krueger retired from the sideshow to become a Wisconsin state senator. One woman “allegedly died while bending over to pick up a four-leaf clover. One died from complications due to weight loss surgery.” Edward Rusk weighed 449 pounds but claimed to weigh 649 pounds (because even in 1895, people didn’t know what 400 pounds looks like). So many stories, happy and sad.

Here’s a short video clip from the 1920s of one of these performers. More photos after the jump:


"Princess LaLa"

"Jolly Babe"

world's fattest boy

Posted by mo pie

Filed under: Celebrities, Cold Hard Cash, Fashion, Food, Old Timey, Theater, Video, WLS

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4 Responses to "World's Fattest Lady"

  1. spinsterwitch, on September 8th, 2009 at 10:17 am Said:

    One of my friends has created a one-woman show about these performers. She did a small piece of it at the ASDAH conference this year, and it rocked!

  2. Addish, on September 9th, 2009 at 12:31 am Said:

    I love Jolly Babe! Her hair is fucking beautifull, she looks like a doll! I’ve always wanted to go see a side show….or be in one.

  3. Amanda, on September 11th, 2009 at 6:39 pm Said:

    These are awesome. I have a bunch of vintage photos here you guys might like: http://mybigfathealthybutt.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-women-looked-like-women-not-sticks.html :)

  4. Todd Lovett, on July 30th, 2010 at 11:29 pm Said:

    HI, I’m curious about the origin of the “fat boxer” photograph. I’m doing the graphic layout for a CD, and was interested in using the image. Do you have the rights to the photo, or do you know who does?

    Thanks!

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