Frank Lentini

Template:Short description Template:Infobox person Francesco "Frank" Lentini<ref name="official" /> (May 18, 1889 − September 21, 1966) was an Italian-American sideshow performer who toured with numerous circuses. Born with a conjoined twin, Lentini had three legs.

Early life

Lentini was born at 8 Gintoli Street, Rosolini, Sicily, on May 18, 1889. Delivered by midwife Maria Alberino, he was the fifth of 12 children (seven sisters and five brothers) in his family. Disgraced initially, his parents gave him into the care of his aunt, the wife of his uncle Corrado Falco.<ref name="official" /> At four months old he was sent to be examined by a specialist in Naples. By age five he was playing with other children and was able to straighten his third leg, but could not use it to walk.<ref name="official" /> He became known for having three legs, four feet, and two sets of genitals.<ref name=Trivia>Template:Cite book</ref>

Lentini was born with a parasitic twin. The twin was attached to his body at the base of his spine and consisted of a pelvic bone, a rudimentary set of male genitalia, and a full-sized leg extending from the right side of his hip, with a small foot protruding from its knee.

Sideshow career

He was exhibited in numerous cities, including London, in 1897. When he was eight, Magnano, who ran a travelling puppet show, brought him to Middletown and Lentini's family moved to the US. Lentini then entered the sideshow business as The Great Lentini, joining the Ringling Brothers Circus. He gained US citizenship at the age of 30. His career spanned over 40 years and he worked with every major circus and sideshow, including Barnum and Bailey and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Lentini was so respected among his peers that he was often called "The King".

In his youth, Lentini used his third leg to kick a football across the stage—hence his show name, the Three-Legged Football Player.

Lentini's normal legs were slightly different in length: one was 99 centimeters and the other 97 centimeters. The third leg was only 91 centimeters and ended in a clubfoot.<ref name=Trivia/> As an adult, his primary legs remained of different lengths while his extra leg was several centimeters shorter. He complained that, even with three legs, he still did not have a pair. In 1907<ref name="official"/> he married Theresa Murray, three years younger than him, and they had four children: Giuseppina (Josephine), Natale (Ned), Francesco (Frank) Junior, and Giacomo (James).<ref name="Barresi">Template:Cite news</ref> When Frank and Theresa separated around 1935, he began a new life with Helen Shupe, with whom he lived until his death.<ref name="official"/> Lentini died of lung failure in Jackson, Tennessee, on September 21, 1966, at the age of 77.<ref name="official"/>

Legacy

Jonathan Redavid portrayed him in the 2017 film The Greatest Showman.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Frank Lentini is featured on the back cover of Seattle-based rock band Alice in Chains' self-titled 1995 album.<ref name="liner notes">Liner notes, Alice in Chains. 1995.</ref>

External links

• James G. Mundie, "The Life History of Francesco A. Lentini, Three-legged Wonder" pitchbook pamphlet (with photos)
• J. Tithonus Pednaud, Francesco Lentini – The Three-Legged Man
• Template:Find a Grave