Prince Randian
| Prince Randian | |
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| File:Randian.1906.jpg
Prince Randian
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| Born | October 12, 1874 Demerara, British Guiana |
| Died | December 19, 1934 (aged 60) New York City, New York |
| Nationality | Guyanese American |
| Other names | Rardion, The Living Torso, The Caterpillar Man, The Human Cigar, The Human Caterpillar/Worm |
| Occupation | Sideshow performer and film actor |
| Known for | Film-Freaks (1932) |
| Spouse(s) | Princess Sarah |
| Children | Mary Randian Richard Randian Elizabeth Randian Wilhelmina Randian |
Prince Randian (sometimes misspelled Rardion or Randion; October 12, 1874 – December 19, 1934), also known as The Snake Man, The Living Torso, The Human Caterpillar and a variety of other names, was a Guyanese 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. He was reportedly brought to the United States by P.T. Barnum in 1889 and was a popular carnival and circus attraction for 45 years. Prince Randian can be seen in the 1932 film Freaks, in which he is seen performing his cigarette trick.
Personal life
Randian (whose birth name is unknown) was born with no arms and legs in Demerara, British Guyana. He was a Hindu and spoke Hindi, English, French, and German.[1] 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 (born circa 1872), he fathered three daughters and a son. Their children were Mary Randian (born circa 1893), Richard Randian (born circa 1901), Elizabeth Randian (born circa 1904), and Wilhelmina Randian (born circa 1904).[2] In the 1920s he was working for Krause Amusement Company and lived at Plainfield, New Jersey. He and his wife lived at 174 Water Street, Paterson, New Jersey, until his death.[3]
Routine
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 routine was featured in the MGM film Freaks.
Death
Randian died at 7:00 PM on December 19, 1934 shortly after his last performance at Sam Wagner's 14th Street Museum. He was 60 years old.
See also
- Violetta, another limbless sideshow performer
