Genuine Real Life Giants

Last updated on November 12th, 2023 at 02:59 am

Real life giants. Who are they? When does one become a giant? They are in legend and stories all over the world. Sometimes they were the enemies of mankind. Others were guardians and watched over humans, using their great size and strength to aid us.

Tallest man on record was Robert Wadlow. Almost nine feet tall. I gave him his separate post.

https://www.smokehoax.com/tag/robert-wadlow/

Tallest known man (besides Robert Wadlow) was John Rogan. Born from 1868 -1905 he was 8 feet 8 inches.He suffered from ankylosis, which is inflammation of the joints as they fuse together. This affected his legs and ankles so at age 14 he was unable to walk. He was one of twelve children so he had a large extended family to watch over him. Refusing a wheelchair, he had a cart pulled by a team of goats.

Nicknamed “Bud” he worked at the train station and sold postcards. He was very well liked and seemed quite artistic because he also sold portraits

Information about John Rogan and this wonderful photo of him is due to Betsy Philipps of the Nashvillescene.com.

Third tallest known man was John F.Carroll. He suffered from Giantism and spinal curvature . Born in New York, he measured at death 8 feet , 7.5 inches. If he had normal spine growth, he could have been close to 9 feet.

Jack Earle was born in 1906 in Denver but grew up in El Paso, Texas. Sometimes he was titled the Texas Giant. And giant he was, at 8 feet ,6 inches. He starred in 49 silent movies in the 1920’s. Jack fell from a scaffolding and was injured and blinded for several months. He was approached by Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Jack was very popular and stayed for 14 years. He moved to California. He was an avid golfer with extra clubs and was a spokesman for Roma Wineries.

Legendary tall man was Edouard Beaupre at 8 feet 3 inches. Born in Saskatchewan, Canada and lived from 1881 -1904 . His father and the family worked on a cattle and horse ranch. Edouard worked as a ranch hand until he got too big to ride a horse. He went on tour with a traveling circus as a strongman. His favorite stunt was to pick up a horse-( not a pony)-an 800-pound horse and carry the horse on his shoulders. He was on tour for several years when he was invited to Barnum and Bailey Circus.

At the St. Louis World Fair, he collapsed and died of Pulmonary Hemorrhage. His body was on display for several years, then ended up in a warehouse. Then his body was re-discovered and on display in a glass case at the University of Montreal.

In 1990, the Beaupre families won their long struggle to reclaim his body. He was cremated and brought to his family home at Willow Bunch.

Sultan Kosen-8 feet 2inches. Born in Turkey in Dec 1982. Still living at age 40, he holds the Guinness Record for Tallest living Man. Using crutches to walk, his growth was halted with medication. He is currently touring with the Magic Circus of Samoa since 2014. In 2013, he fell in love and married. He said he always dreamed of a happy marriage. Sultan is a great basketball fan although he does not play sports.

Bao Xishun from Mongolia He held the title of World’s Tallest Man until Sultan was measured by Genius Book of Records. At 7 ft 9 inches, he avoids public appearances and wants his privacy. He is married with a wife and son of normal height.

Other giants weighed in at 8 feet 1 inch or 8 feet 2 inches

Jinnat Ali -Bangladesh-. 8 feet 2 inches. Died in 2020

Vikas Uppal- India-Died in 2007 at age 21. 8 feet 2inches

Brahim Takioullah-Morocco-Born in 1982-still living at age 41.Measures 8 feet 1 inch

Morteza Mehrzad-Iran-Gold medalist in Paralympic Games in 2016. 8 feet 1 inch

Suleiman Ali Nashorush-Libya-at age 47, he was the tallest basketball player in the world. He died in 1991 at 48 although he did have surgery to stop his abnormal growth. 8 feet 1 inch.

These next three were interesting because they were not sickly from medical abnormality. Like Edouard Beaupre they were very strong and active. They are what we think of as “Roaring Giants”

Patrick Cotter O’Brien measured 8 feet I inch. Known as the Irish Giant. Died in 1806 at age 46. With the family’s permission he was exhumed and measured. He was cremated instead of being reburied. His greatest fear was to be put on display like his contemporary Charles Byrne at 7 feet 7 inches. Byrne was claimed when he died by a Doctor Hunter. Byrne’s skeleton is still displayed at the Royal College of Surgeons at London. There have been several appeals that he be cremated or buried and laid to rest.

Recently within the past few years, Charles Byrne has been taken off display. He is still kept as medical research for study of gigantism.

Another powerful giant was Angus MacAskill at 7 feet 9 inches. Born in Scotland he traveled for years in circuses and shows demonstrating his incredible strength. He settled in Nova Scotia a rich man and owned several properties.

An additional famous giant was Albert Johan Kramer. Tallest man in the Netherlands he measured 7 feet 11.4 inches. He partnered with his brother in law, a dwarf. They formed a variety show and performed all the world. He died in 1976 at age 79 a wealthy man

A person of interest was Adam Rainer. He started as a dwarf only 3 feet tall. Then at age 21 he hit a growth spurt, kept going, and more than doubled his height. When he died in 1950 at age 51, he measured 7 feet 8 inches. Only known person to be listed as a dwarf and a giant .But he was not healthy with a curved spine and acromegaly. He spent his last few years bedridden.

I have hit the interesting people over 8 feet tall.

Others listed below are between 7 feet 1inch and 8 feet tall.

Some, if not most, have used their great height to parlay their way into sports and films.