Peter Robinson (sideshow artist)
Encyclopedia
Peter Robinson was an American actor and sideshow performer.
Peter Robinson was born in Springfield, Massachusetts
, the son of Norwegian
immigrants. He said that he had a normal childhood and appearance until his early teens, when his weight began to precipitously drop.
He worked as a carnival sideshow entertainer, weighing in at 58 pounds, he billed himself as "The Living Skeleton". In 1922, he married fellow sideshow entertainer 467 pound Baby Bunny Smith
, and had two children.
Despite making his living in side shows, he was a classically trained Shakespearean actor. He is best known for his role in the 1932 cult classic film Freaks
, directed by Tod Browning
. He was also purported to be an expert harmonica
player.
Peter Robinson was born in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, the son of Norwegian
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
immigrants. He said that he had a normal childhood and appearance until his early teens, when his weight began to precipitously drop.
He worked as a carnival sideshow entertainer, weighing in at 58 pounds, he billed himself as "The Living Skeleton". In 1922, he married fellow sideshow entertainer 467 pound Baby Bunny Smith
Baby Bunny Smith
Baby "Bunny" Smith was an American actress and sideshow performer. She made her living traveling with sideshows in the early 20th century as the "Fat Woman".-Personal life:...
, and had two children.
Despite making his living in side shows, he was a classically trained Shakespearean actor. He is best known for his role in the 1932 cult classic film Freaks
Freaks
Freaks is a 1932 American Pre-Code horror film about sideshow performers, directed and produced by Tod Browning and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, with a cast mostly composed of actual carnival performers. The film was based on Tod Robbins' 1923 short story "Spurs"...
, directed by Tod Browning
Tod Browning
Tod Browning was an American motion picture actor, director and screenwriter.Browning's career spanned the silent and talkie eras...
. He was also purported to be an expert harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
player.