| Name | Jack Earle |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jacob Rheuben Ehrlich |
| Birth date | July 3, 1906 |
| Birth place | Denver, Colorado |
| Death date | July 18, 1952 (aged 46) |
| Death place | El Paso, Texas |
| Other names | Texas Giant, The World's Tallest Man |
| Occupation | Actor, freak show performer, and salesman |
| Nationality | American |
Jacob Rheuben Ehrlich (3 July 1906 in Denver, Colorado - 18 July 1952 in El Paso Texas) was an American silent film actor and sideshow performer. Due to acromegalic gigantism, Earle was one of the world's tallest humans at the time of his death, standing at tall. For 14 years, he traveled with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, then became a salesman. He is referenced in Tom Waits's song "Get Behind The Mule".
Because of his intimidating height, he would avoid people by walking the alleys on his way to school so he could hide if he encountered anyone (for fear of frightening them).
He appeared in films like Hansel and Gretel in 1923 and Jack & the Beanstalk in 1924.
Over the next few years he found himself busy in the movie making business, and going to school.
His movie career came to an end when during filming he fell from the scaffolding. He broke his nose and was hospitalized. While in the hospital, his eyesight became blurry and within days he lost his sight completely. As his doctor examined him, he found a pituitary tumor. The tumor had pushed up against his optic nerve during the fall. For the next four months, Jack underwent X-ray treatments. His eyesight returned, although it has been speculated that the treatment may have stopped his growth. At the time of his hospitalization he was eight feet six inches tall.
He stayed with the circus until the late thirties or early forties. He was tired of the routine and decided to leave the business. Undecided about his future, he decided to lay the "Pecos Bill" persona to rest and he returned to California.
In addition, Earle was a talented artist and worked in a variety of mediums like painting, sculpture, photography and even wrote poetry. He was published in a book called The Long Shadows, and on November 4, 1950 the Saturday Evening Post ran an article titled Life of Giant Jack Earle.
Category:1906 births Category:1952 deaths Category:American silent film actors Category:American Jews Category:Sideshow performers Category:People with gigantism Category:People with acromegaly Category:People from Denver, Colorado Category:Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Category:Road accident deaths in Texas
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