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Melvin “Human Blockhead” Burkhart

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Melvin “Human Blockhead” Burkhart Famous memorial

Birth
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA
Death
8 Nov 2001 (aged 94)
Gibsonton, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA
Burial
Cremated, Ashes scattered Add to Map
Plot
Ashes scattered into the bay off of Coney Island, New York
Memorial ID
View Source
Circus Performer. He spent thirty years as a performer with the James E. Strates' Carnival sideshow along with stints with Ringling Brothers Circus and Ripley's. He was able to swallow swords, eat fire and throw knives with razor precision. He was a magician known in the heyday of carnivals as "The Human Blockhead" for his ability to hammer a spike into his head through a cavity behind his nostril. Also known as "The Anatomical Wonder," he could make both sides of his face do different things and he could squeeze his body into numerous shapes. He retired in Florida in 1989.
Circus Performer. He spent thirty years as a performer with the James E. Strates' Carnival sideshow along with stints with Ringling Brothers Circus and Ripley's. He was able to swallow swords, eat fire and throw knives with razor precision. He was a magician known in the heyday of carnivals as "The Human Blockhead" for his ability to hammer a spike into his head through a cavity behind his nostril. Also known as "The Anatomical Wonder," he could make both sides of his face do different things and he could squeeze his body into numerous shapes. He retired in Florida in 1989.

Bio by: Ron Moody


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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Ron Moody
  • Added: Nov 19, 2001
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5971572/melvin-burkhart: accessed ), memorial page for Melvin “Human Blockhead” Burkhart (6 Feb 1907–8 Nov 2001), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5971572; Cremated, Ashes scattered; Maintained by Find a Grave.