circus performers

The tiny acrobat Lillian Leitzel was the biggest star—and diva—of the biggest circus. But the higher the Queen of the Air rose, the harder she fell.

The Muse brothers were billed as aliens—"Eko and Iko, the Ambassadors from Mars”—but their true identities were beyond heartbreaking.

Anna Haining Bates was one of the largest women in the world. She toured as a giantess for years, until one devastating tragedy ripped her life apart.

Charles Stratton—or General Tom Thumb to his fans around the world—was an American showman legendary for his small stature and command of the stage. Charles isn’t just history’s most famous little person, he’s also one of the earliest American celebrities.

Commodore Nutt was one of the biggest attractions at Barnum’s American Museum, but at the age of 33, he met an end so tragic—it’s unforgettable.