Johnny Eck - Actor Profile

Johnny Eck

Acting
Freshness: Jan 29, 2026
2Total Films
7.8 Highest Rated
Born: Aug 27, 1911
Birth Place: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

About Johnny Eck

John Eckhardt Jr, (August 27, 1911 – January 5, 1991), professionally billed as Johnny Eck, was an American freak show performer in sideshows and a film actor. Born with sacral agenesis, Eck is best known today for his role in Tod Browning's 1932 cult classic film Freaks and his appearances as a bird creature in several Tarzan films. He was often billed as "The Amazing Half-Boy", "King of the Freaks" and "The Most Remarkable Man Alive". Besides being a sideshow performer and actor, the multi-talented Eck was also a folk artist (specifically a screen painter), musician, photographer, illusionist, penny arcade owner, Punch and Judy operator, and expert model-maker. Description above from the Wikipedia article Johnny Eck, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Johnny Eck reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 2 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Johnny Eck's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Johnny Eck remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Freaks, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Johnny Eck Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Johnny Eck's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Johnny Eck.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1932 Tarzan the Ape Man Bird Creature (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1932 Freaks Half Boy Super Hit Similar →

Johnny Eck - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Johnny Eck?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Johnny Eck is "Freaks" with a rating of 7.8/10.

How many movies has Johnny Eck acted in?

Johnny Eck has been featured in at least 2 major films throughout their career.