Eddie Carmel's unusual growth spurt began during his teenage years, a result of an incurable pituitary gland tumor that led to acromegaly. As an adult, he struggled to find employment, ultimately capitalizing on his extraordinary physical appearance. He formed a successful stand-up comedy duo with his best friend, Irwin Sherman, in New York.
Carmel's distinctive physique landed him a role in a B-grade monster movie, The Brain That Wouldn't Die, released in 1962. He also recorded two 45-rpm singles, "The Happy Giant" and "The Good Monster," showcasing his unique vocal talents. For seven years, from 1961 to 1968, Carmel joined the renowned Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, where he was showcased as "The World's Greatest Giant" and "The Tallest Man on Earth," with his height billed at an impressive 8' 9". However, this figure was significantly exaggerated, as he actually stood at around 7' 7".
Despite his unusual appearance, Carmel yearned to be recognized for his artistic abilities, expressing a desire to be known as the "reverse Mickey Rooney," a nod to the legendary actor's diminutive stature. Tragically, Carmel's life was cut short due to severe kyphoscoliosis, a condition that caused a significant curvature of the spine, reducing his height to approximately 7 feet (213cm) at the time of his death. Eddie Carmel passed away at the age of 37 in Montefiore Hospital.
