Maurice Tillet, a 1940s French professional wrestler, had a very stocky, robust, and heavily built physique that was often compared to that of a Neanderthal.
His unique physical features were the result of acromegaly, a rare hormonal disorder caused by a benign pituitary tumor. This condition caused the bones in his face, hands, and feet to continuously thicken and enlarge into his adulthood.
Tillet stood at roughly 5 ft 8 in to 5 ft 9 in tall, but weighed an imposing 270 to 276 pounds. His rib cage and collarbones were described as exceptionally massive, and he had a giant head, prominent brow ridge, and broad nose. Because of this broad, heavy-set body and distinct facial features, he was heavily marketed in the 1940s as "The French Angel" and routinely labeled the "closest living specimen to that of Neanderthal man known to exist" by promoters.
Maurice Tillet is widely believed to be a visual inspiration for Shrek. Tillet completed his law degree at the University of Toulouse, but felt he would never be successful due to his deep voice and physical appearance. Tillet served in the submarine service of the French Navy for five years as an engineer. It was also believed that Tillet could speak at least 14 languages.
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