Thought "American Horror Story: Freak Show" Was Fiction? Think Again.

by N/A, 11 years ago | 3 min read

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In its fourth season, American Horror Story: Freak Show takes place in the 1950's at a seemingly run-down carnvial freak show. Throughout the show's existence, it has been known for its deeply twisted set of characters and the always controversial or disturbing plotline. This season is no different.

The show's co-creator, Ryan Murphy, said some of the storyline this season was inspired by Jessica Lange, the show's lead actress. Murphy told Entertainment Weekly, "Jessica’s a photographer so she had always been interested in that carny world...she’s always interested in the lost and the forgotten and the beautiful survivor of it all." After Lange's expressed interest in this setting, he began looking into the "carny world" and thought it could be a good fit for the show. "Once I started investigating it I really loved the idea of it because I felt it was such a ripe world."

The photos below show some of history's real-life sideshow performers followed by the AHS cast member possibly inspired by each of these remarkable people.

omg scary halloween American Horror Story AHS Non-Premium

1. Millie and Christine McKoy aka â€˜The Two Headed Girl".

Their specific condition was a particular kind of conjoined twin.

American Horror Story: Freak Show created Bette and Dot Tattler.

2. Fred Wilson aka 'The Lobster Boy'.

This actual condition is called Ectrodactyly, which usually means deformed or monstrous fingers.

American Horror Story: Freak Show created Jimmy Darling.

3. Annie Jones aka 'The Bearded Woman'. It was said she had a beard and sideburns by the age of 5.

This condition is suspected hirsutism, which is excessive growth of hair on the face or body of a woman.

American Horror Story: Freak Show created Ethel Darling.

4. Eli Bowen aka â€˜The Legless Wonderâ€™. He was an American sideshow performer.

His condition was a genetic disorder called Phocomelia, which can cause you to have "seal-like limbs".

American Horror Story: Freak Show created Legless Suzy.

5. Lucia Zarate aka 'The Smallest Person Who Ever Lived'. She was a sideshow performer and at age 12 was only 5 pounds.

Her condition was called Majewski osteody.

American Horror Story: Freak Show created Ma Petite.

6. Minnie Woolsey aka â€˜Koo Koo the Bad Girlâ€™. She was an american entertainer born in 1880.

Her condition was Virchow-Seckel syndrome.

American Horror Story: Freak Show created Meep The Geek.

7. Pip and Flip Snow aka 'Pinheads'. These sisters were well-known performers at the World Circus Sideshow.

Their condition was known as Microephaly, making their heads an abnormal size for their bodies.

American Horror Story: Freak Show created Pepper.