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Limbless sideshow performer (1871–1934) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prince Randian (sometimes misspelled Rardion or Randion; October 12, 1871 – December 19, 1934), also nicknamed Pillow Man, The Snake Man, The Human Torso, The Human Caterpillar and a variety of other names, was a Guyanese-born American performer with tetra-amelia syndrome and a famous limbless sideshow performer of the early 1900s, best known for his ability to roll cigarettes with his lips.
Prince Randian | |
|---|---|
Prince Randian | |
| Born | October 12, 1871 |
| Died | December 19, 1934 (aged 63) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | Guyanese American |
| Other names |
|
| Occupation(s) | Sideshow performer and film actor |
| Years active | 1889–1934 |
| Known for | Freaks (1932 film) |
He was brought to the United States by P.T. Barnum in 1889,[1] at the age of 18, and was a popular Coney Island carnival and circus attraction for 45 years. In 1932, he was featured in the film Freaks, in which he is seen lighting up a cigarette with a match.[2]
Randian (whose birth name is unknown) was born with no arms or legs in Demerara, British Guiana. He was Hindu and spoke Hindi, English, French, and German.[3] According to a passenger manifest of SS Parima from April 14, 1917, he had lived previously at Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. With his wife, known as Princess Sarah (apparently a Hindu woman, born c. 1872), he fathered 5 children.[4] Their children included Mary Randian (born c. 1893), Richard Randian (born c. 1901), Elizabeth Randian (born c. 1904), and Wilhelmina Randian (born c. 1904).[5] In the 1920s he was working for Krause Amusement Company and lived in Plainfield, New Jersey. He and his wife lived at 174 Water Street, Paterson, New Jersey, until his death.[6]
For his act, Randian wore a one-piece wool garment that fit tightly over his body, giving him the appearance of a caterpillar, snake or potato, and would move himself around the stage by wiggling his hips and shoulders. His best-known ability was rolling and lighting cigarettes using only his lips, but he was also capable of painting and writing by holding a brush or stylus with his lips and of shaving himself by securing a razor in a wooden block. He kept all of the props and materials used in his act in a wooden box that he reportedly constructed, painted and affixed a lock to by himself.
His cigarette-lighting ability was featured in the MGM film Freaks.[7]
Randian died at 7:00 PM on December 19, 1934, aged 63, of a heart attack shortly after his last performance at Sam Wagner's 14th Street Museum in New York.[citation needed]
Prince Randian is mentioned in Tom Waits' song Lucky Day (Overture) from his album The Black Rider, about sideshow performers.[8]
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