On this day in 2001, Dreamworks released it’s most successful film to date, ‘SHREK.’ This eventually led to many follow-up films, making SHREK a household name and Dreamworks founders Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen excited about the future of the young movie studios. But the inception of the character came from a man not too many people know about.
Introducing the professional wrestler Maurice ‘The French Angel’ Tillet. Tillet was essentially ‘the Rock’ of the 40’s leading the box office draw as he was twice contracted to act as World Heavyweight Champion by the American Wrestling Association. He was the headliner of some of the biggest events of the time, both in America and Europe.
As Shrek-like as he looked, his appearance wasn’t always like this. When Tillet was 20, he noticed swelling in his feet, hands, and head, and after a doctor visit, he was diagnosed with acromegaly — a condition usually caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, resulting in bone overgrowth and thickening.
His struggle with acromegaly, Tillet later deemed himself ‘the ugliest man of the world’ making his lore that more interesting.
As big as he looked, he was pretty quick on his feet in the ring.
Tillet entertained the masses until the age of 50 when he passed away.
Via The Histroy Wire
