The 'real' Shrek: How the 'world's ugliest man' became a wrestling legend after turning rare condition to his advantage - and is believed to have inspired our favourite screen ogre By HARRY HOWARD, HISTORY EDITOR Published: 04:52 EST, 26 December 2024 | Updated: 04:52 EST, 26 December 2024 e-mail View comments He was the self-styled 'world's ugliest man' who tore up the wrestling ring and found fame and riches. Frenchman Maurice Tillet's unique appearance was caused by a rare condition where the body produces too much growth hormone. Despite being just 5ft 8in, the gentle giant reputedly weighed an astonishing 19stone and had a chest measurement of more than 80inches.
His head swelled to the point where, from ear to ear, it measured more than seven inches. And the hands of the 'French Angel' were enormous too. Tillet fought in fights in Britain, France and elsewhere, but had the most success in the United States, where he teamed up with a Lithuanian wrestler who first spotted his talent.
And film fans have noticed how hugely popular movie ogre Shrek bears a striking similarity to Tillet, who died in 1954 after suffering a heart attack following the death of his wrestling partner earlier the same day. It is rumoured that the animators from the DreamWorks studio saw Tillet's death mask and used it to fashion Shrek's appearance for the franchise, which is based on the novel of the same name by author William Steig. Born in Russia to French parents in 1903, Tillet was taken back .
