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American contortionist and actor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Daniel Browning Smith, also known as The Rubberboy (born May 8, 1979), is an American contortionist, actor, television host, comedian, sports entertainer, and a stuntman, who holds the title of the most flexible person in history,[citation needed] owning a total of seven Guinness World Records. Smith owes his flexibility to the genetic condition hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.
Daniel Browning Smith | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Smith in 2006 | |
| Born | May 8, 1979[1] Meridian, Mississippi, United States[1] |
| Other names | The Rubberboy |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, contortionist, television host, comedian, sports entertainer, stuntman |
| Years active | 2002–2016 |
Smith was born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi, United States.[1] He has one sister and one brother. He was inspired by contortionists since the age of four, giving him the dream of becoming the world's best one. At this time, Daniel began to jump off the top bunk bed and land in a straddle split, much to the amazement of his family. Later, in his teen years, he began street performing with this technique to attract people's attention. When Smith turned 18, he joined the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus before beginning contortion training under Master Lu Yi at the San Francisco School of Circus Arts.[1][2]
The remarkable flexibility that Smith possesses is due to a genetic condition known as hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome or hEDS,[3] one of thirteen types of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.[4][5] Those affected by this condition often have extremely mobile joints which are vulnerable to dislocation and skin which is easily bruised.[6] While many people with hEDS have severe muscle and bone pain alongside a range of autonomic nervous system and endocrine problems,[6] Smith experienced only moderate pain for most of his contortion career, but eventually had to give up performing as his condition progressed.[7]
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