SCHLITZIE'S grave, gone but not forgotten

Schlitzie -
Possibly born Simon Metz and legally Schlitze Surtees, was a sideshow performer. He also appeared in a few films, and is best known for his role in the 1932 movie Freaks. His lifelong career in the sideshow circuit as a major attraction with Barnum & Bailey, among others, made him a popular cultural icon.
Schlitzie's true birth date, name, location and parents are unknown; the information on his death certificate and gravesite indicate that he was born on September 10, 1901, in The Bronx, New York
Schlitzie was born with microcephaly, a neurodevelopmental disorder that left him with an unusually small brain and skull.
On the sideshow circuit, microcephalic people were usually promoted as "pinheads" or "missing links", Schlitzie was billed as "The Last of the Aztecs", "The Monkey Girl", and "What Is It?". In some sideshows, he was paired with another microcephalic performer.
Schlitzie appeared in bit roles in various movies and is credited with a role in the 1934 exploitation film Tomorrow's Children as a mentally defective criminal who undergoes forced sterilization.
in 1935, while Schlitzie was performing with the Tom Mix Circus, George Surtees, a chimpanzee trainer with a trained-chimpanzee act in the show, adopted him, becoming his legal guardian. In 1941, Schlitzie appeared in his final movie as "Princess Bibi", a sideshow attraction, in Meet Boston Blackie.
In his later years of life, Schlitzie lived in Los Angeles.
he also became a notable attraction performing on the streets of Hollywood. Schlitzie spent time in his final days on Santa Monica Boulevard. He liked going to MacArthur Park where he would visit the lake with his guardian, feeding the pigeons and ducks and performing for passersby.
On September 24, 1971, at seventy years old, Schlitzie died at Fountain View Convalescent Home. His death certificate listed his official name as "Shlitze Surtees" and his birthdate as 1901. Schlitzie was interred at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights.

[@somebodyswife1612]

I really enjoyed this video

[@Paulitosway]

Thanks somebodyswife!

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

im so glad he finally got a proper funeral and headstone some years ago; This is Schlitzie the Pinhead's memorial service in February, 2009

[@marcellusbrown57]

This was so very sad! This poor human being, was exploited, abused and mocked no doubt in his life! He was a kind soul and I hope he experienced genuine love in his dad life! I'm glad, he got a decent burial in the end! He made many people very wealthy and ended up all alone, with nothing in the end! For greater is your reward in heaven RIP Slitzie Surteese🙏🌹

[@AdrianPena-vm7ro]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@blakese7en47]

When he was purchased from his parents he enjoyed his time performing. He was paid, money though was no good to him, his carer who was a nurse would not have come cheap being full time 24/7. People forget, these performers turned any exploitation to their own advantage. It is understood he was looked after very well by his guardians. Although his sister was adopted and taken in by the original purchaser of both, she was meant have had a very good life at home with the her new family that also had other daughters. Schlitzie himself, wasn’t no longer living with his sister but they still performed together, in Freaks both featured. Apparently she was thought to die in her late 20s as she just disappeared from the public eye. Schlitzie, far outlived other sufferers with microcephally. Having the mind of a three year old he was severely mentally challenged. He was known to sob and weep at times, I believe he understood more about his childhood than many realise. Performing he would sometimes be heckled and have cigarettes flicked at him, the odd beer bottle was thrown from the crowd too. On the whole he was considered happy while performing and whilst in friendly company

[@Paulitosway]

Thank you for sharing. Very sad