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1-9 of 9
- Prince Randian was born in the Demarara district, British Guyana in 1871, the child of British Indian slaves. Born with tetra-amelia syndrome (the lacking of all four limbs), little is known about his early life or how he was discovered, but it seems his incredible adaptability did not go unnoticed. Reputedly, he was brought to the United States by P.T. Barnum in 1889 at the age of 18, performing as an "oddity" or "freak" at dime shows, museums and primarily at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York
For his act, Randian was billed as "the human caterpillar who crawls on his belly like a reptile." He wore a one-piece wool garment that fit tightly over his body, giving him the appearance of a caterpillar, snake or potato. He was efficient at moving from place to place by wriggling his hips and shoulders in a snake-like motion. He would demonstrate his astonishing ability to fend for himself regardless of his handicap. He would shave himself by securing a razor in a wooden block, paint with a brush or write with a pen by using his lips, and most famously, roll and light his own cigarette in his only film appearance, Freaks (1932) (1932). Randian was also said to have been a skilled carpenter, using his mouth and shoulders to manipulate his tools, and he kept all of the props and materials used in his act in a wooden box that he reportedly constructed, painted and installed a lock by himself using a saw, knife and hammer. "Someday," he used to say, "I'll build myself a house."
Randian could speak English, German and French in addition to Hindi, his native language. He married early in life to a Hindu woman known only as Princess Sarah, who remained devoted to him throughout his long 45-year career in the sideshow. The couple had four daughters, plus a son who later became his manager. They settled at 174 Water Street in Paterson, New Jersey.
Prince Randian died of a heart attack at 7:00 PM on December 19, 1934, shortly after his comeback performance at Sam Wagner's 14th Street Museum in New York. He was 63 years old. - Clive Lloyd was born on 31 August 1944 in Queenstown, Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Reginald Lal Singh was born on 8 August 1905 in Demerara, British Guiana. He was an actor, known for The Naked Jungle (1954), Star Trek (1966) and Storm Over Tibet (1952). He died on 1 December 1970 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Carl Hooper was born on 15 December 1966 in Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana.
- Maud Cressall was born on 5 December 1886 in Demerara, British Guiana. She was an actress, known for The Tinted Venus (1921), The Man and the Moment (1918) and Two Little Wooden Shoes (1920). She died in May 1962 in Kingsdown, Kent, England, UK.
- Roger Harper was born on 17 March 1963 in Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana.
- Actor
Joseph Cozier was born on 8 July 1895 in Demerara, British Guiana. He was an actor. He was married to Florence Tindling. He died on 16 August 1967 in London, England, UK.- Lance Gibbs was born on 29 September 1934 in Queenstown, Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana.
- Colin Croft was born on 15 March 1953 in Lancaster Village, East Coast, Demerara, British Guiana.