Maurice Tillet: The world champion wrestler and the inspiration behind Shrek

Born in 1903, Maurice Tillet, also known as the 'French Angel,' was a wrestling box office draw in the early 1940s.

Tillet had a fairly normal childhood, but when he turned 17, he was diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition caused by a benign tumor.

The disorder prevented the generation of growth hormones and caused the bones in his head to grow out of proportion, giving him what we would now call a Shrek-like look.

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The Frenchman used his condition to his advantage though, becoming a two-time World Heavyweight Champion in the American Wrestling Association, run by Paul Bowser.

Despite having a successful wrestling career, Tillet led a lonely life and competed in his final match in 1953. A year later, he passed away with heart problems in Chicago.

It has been rumored that Tillet's distinct appearance was the inspiration behind the famous movie 'Shrek' produced by DreamWorks.

Since its release in 2001, Shrek has become one of the most popular movie franchises, grossing $488 million worldwide at the box office, according to @popcrave on X.

The original illustration of Shrek in the William Stein books did not refer to Tillet's appearance, but the animation version did.

According to sportskeeda.com, it's reported that Shrek's animators were inspired by Tillet's death masks at the York Barbell Museum. Although it was never officially addressed, the resemblance is uncanny.

Picture – Youtube @Острый Угол

Maurice Tillet had a prosperous career as a world champion wrestler, but in the last 20 years, his animated face has given joy to people across the world.