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THE FRENCH ANGEL – Maurice Tillet
Perhaps most well know under the name ‘The French Angel’, Maurice Tillet was born in France in 1903 as a completely average and healthy child. He aspired to become an actor and was highly intelligent, allegedly speaking 14 languages and being quite gifted in prose. However, in his twenties, Maurice developed acromegaly.
Acromegaly is a rather rare hormonal disorder that occurs when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone. Usually, the condition is caused by a pituitary tumor, and results in bones growing wildly and uncontrollably. The word ‘acromegaly’ is derived from Greek and literally translates as ‘large extremities’. Because the disease is slow to progress, it is difficult to diagnose in the early stages and is often missed for many years. In the case of Maurice Tillet a diagnosis was long in coming and his body, and his face in particular, were disfigured significantly. Unable to endure the constant gawking and humiliation, Maurice fled France.
In America, Maurice crafted a new identity befitting his disfigured appearance as a rough and villainous professional wrestler. Renamed ‘The French Angel and often called the ‘freak ogre of the ring’, Maurice was a great success finishing off adversaries with his patented Bear Hug. On August 1, 1944 The French Angel defeated Steve ‘Crusher’ Casey for the American Wrestling Association World Championship.
Ten years later, almost to the day, on April 4th 1954 Maurice died prematurely at the age of 51. In life, Maurice was a private and reclusive man however, on his death bed; he gave permission to have a cast made of his face. One subsequent ‘death mask’ currently resides at the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame inside the York Barbell Building in York, Pennsylvania.
I love this picture.© 2007 – 2008, J Tithonus Pednaud. All rights reserved.
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The Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top
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THE AUTHOR
J Tithonus Pednaud has dedicated this site to highlighting the remarkable lives of those born exceedingly different. These so-called freaks and human oddities stand as uplifting testaments to human spirit and serve as inspiring examples of human tenacity.
36 Responses to “THE FRENCH ANGEL – Maurice Tillet”
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I heard that the physical features of animated ogre Shrek were based on Tillet’s, is this true or just a rumour?
Yes, it is true.
Very unlikely. The physical features of Shrek were likely based on the physical aspects of SNL cast alumni Chris Farley. Farley was originally cast in the role and he had completed much of the dialog for Shrek before his untimely passing. His friend Myers picked up the role.
i agree that last picture is great.
Well my first thought was “omg his face looks like Shrek’s” and I wasn’t gonna say anything (thinking it was un-PC) but then the first comment… It seems possible, doesn’t it?
Pro wrestling today still seems to have alot in common with the sideshow. Wild men, Giants, fat people, Strong men, acrobats.
He really does look like he could’ve been the model for Shrek! I didn’t notice until the first comment. How interesting.
Who is the girl?
Who is the girl?
She´s the recently passed “first supermodel” Dorian Leigh.
His posture reminds me of Shrek.
I recall an article in Life magazine re “the French Angel”.I believe the pictures of him were taken in N.Y. Central Park.The only photo I truly remember showed him hugging a tree.I guess he was demonstrating his famous bear hug.After reading his bio I can really feel sorry for him.Was unaware he died so young.Sad.All of this was in the 40s.I’m 80 now and still remember him.
Charles, thank you for your sincere memories.
His condition, acromegaly, affect the heart as well as the features. As a result those afflicted often pass away young.
in response to the anonymous poster on april 6–
the origins of pro wrestling tie into sideshow– the version you see on television today came from the carnies and circuses where the strongman would issue a challenge to anyone in the crowd to step up and take him on. many times these challengers were crowd plants, and the fights were worked– it allowed the performers to go on and fight time after time instead of spending long downtimes injured. over a century from breaking off in its own and wrestling still has its own distinct version of carnie-speak– though in the last two decades it’s rapidly begun to be lost… along with much of the charm of the wrestling of older days.
in the days of high-def television, jackass, 30-second attention spans, and ‘reality’ television… and even the decade before this with jerry springer and mtv… the transition loses something. but sometimes, you can go to local places and still find live shows that have shades of that old theater with an arrogant ‘heel’ strongman and his loudmouthed promoting manager, taking on a ‘babyface’ challenger who’s a man of the people. it’s much more worthwhile to see than the WWE.
nonetheless, on topic of Maurice Tillet, i stumbled on this site in a search for acromegaly sufferers, and am very glad of it. i had never heard of him until now, and will have to mark this place to come back and discover all the wonderful people you have on it. thanks for doing this!
FYI, the movie Shrek was actually based on a kid’s book published in 1990. So, he was not based on Chris Farley… likely not based on Maurice Tillet, either.
Anyway, I’m totally addicted to this website. It keeps me from being bored at work… and sometimes makes my toes curl. But in a good way.
Actually, the nasty looking ogre from the book had to be redesigned into something a little more film friendly. The Art Director himself has been quoted in interviews that Farley was the inspiration for the redesign characteristics and Mike Myres has stated the same thing.
I believe that Maurice died in Chicago and had an autopsy performed at Cook County Hospital. He was destitute and, according to one of the physicians who assisted with the procedure, Maurice had significant muscle loss. Apparently which is common in those with acromegaly. This is a personal attestation.
hmmmmm
this is shrek….?
That is a great picture, at the bottom.
He seems like a pure soul. =]
ive read alot abbout marice tillet idid not know him iheard alot abbout him he once live in my niebor hood the nortend detroit iwish icould see s a old match he was in at olypia stadiumisaw him in mighty joe young
The last picture is awesome. But you gotta admit, he looks a lot like Shrek! Cool!
The last picture is truly precious! What a gentle giant. Why is it that the truly good people seem to die young? I would love to have been able to talk to him. My dear mister Pednaud, I am adoring this site! Truly, thoroughly, and deliciously. Keep up the good work!
how can see some matche murice was in some fo hi greast matches in clear definnition doyou eny on film
I have been living with Acromegaly, Im always searching for more information on this very rare, lonely and very painful chronic illness. It hurts my heart to think about how he suffered in his looks and with physical pain. I was diagnosed just four years ago, two brain surgeries and about 8000.00 dollars a month just in medications.
to Nancy Smith,
Sorry to read that you are also living with that affliction. I do hope that in 2012, medicine and treatments are more advance. Hope things are going well for you.
i knew him in portland or. in the late 1930!s i was about 15 yo and worked out with him at a neighborhood center. it was a pleasure to know him.
Here’s a photo of him with boxing World Champion Jack Dempsey: http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/File:AngelDempsey.JPG
he has a sweet face.
wow.. nice info..
Pio Pico, a former governer of California (circa 1832, when CA was still part of Mexico) also suffered from acromegaly. What is interesting about his case is that the condition began to reverse as he aged!
I’m surprised nobody mentioned André Roussimoff AKA Andre the Giant. Both suffered from acromegaly and sadly died young from it’s effects.
My best friend has this condition. If only people wouldnt judge others on thier apperance, the world would be a little more kinder.
People think because he looks the way he does and sounds the way he does that he is “slow”. Certainly not the case! Because of his thick tongue, his speach is affected.
He is so amazing, he writes the most beautiful poems i’ve ever read.
He has such passion, he puts most men to shame, they could learn a thing or two!
He is getting treatment and should have a good outcome.
Does anyone have access or information about Tillet’s poetry? I’d love to read some of his work.
Unfortunately, I’ve never actually come across any. Readers?
Onde estão os poemas dele? Se não tem, fica difícil acreditar né?
Me responda logo, por favor!