A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Penguin Boy

I first met Penguin Boy when I worked at Art With A Pulse in Glen Burnie, MD. The shop  owner bet me he could do a full sleeve from scratch in less than an hour on a client of his….I fell for it, he won the bet.

Since then Penguin Boy  (Jason Brott) has made quite a name for himself in the sideshow world travelling with the Hellzapoppin Sideshow.

Here he is doing a 2 point suspension as photographed by our very own Allen Falkner.

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One more after the break.

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If you want to know more about the World Famous Penguin Boy, leave some comments here and I will see if he is interested in doing an interview for BME.

Comments

168 responses to “Penguin Boy”

  1. KaleEros Avatar
    KaleEros

    I saw this guy at a Metal show in Wichita KS not too long back, awesome sideshow

  2. KaleEros Avatar
    KaleEros

    I saw this guy at a Metal show in Wichita KS not too long back, awesome sideshow

  3. The Lizardman Avatar

    Quick points:

    Born freaks have always been rare enough that while held in high regard they never filled sideshows – the bulk of the show casts have always been working acts and made freaks. Modern sideshows have featured many a born freak – most often little people and contortionists (real ones not the cirque du soleil just flexible folks) but modern audiences tend to not be impressed unless they also bring an act similar to how just being tattooed isn’t enough anymore – you need to do something

    Sideshow definitely valleyed hard but was having a comeback well before Jim ever dreamed of doing stuff – he was just lucky to end up being grabbed by the media to be the face of an already in progress resurgence. It was happening with or without him.

  4. The Lizardman Avatar

    Quick points:

    Born freaks have always been rare enough that while held in high regard they never filled sideshows – the bulk of the show casts have always been working acts and made freaks. Modern sideshows have featured many a born freak – most often little people and contortionists (real ones not the cirque du soleil just flexible folks) but modern audiences tend to not be impressed unless they also bring an act similar to how just being tattooed isn’t enough anymore – you need to do something

    Sideshow definitely valleyed hard but was having a comeback well before Jim ever dreamed of doing stuff – he was just lucky to end up being grabbed by the media to be the face of an already in progress resurgence. It was happening with or without him.

  5. The Lizardman Avatar

    Quick points:

    Born freaks have always been rare enough that while held in high regard they never filled sideshows – the bulk of the show casts have always been working acts and made freaks. Modern sideshows have featured many a born freak – most often little people and contortionists (real ones not the cirque du soleil just flexible folks) but modern audiences tend to not be impressed unless they also bring an act similar to how just being tattooed isn’t enough anymore – you need to do something

    Sideshow definitely valleyed hard but was having a comeback well before Jim ever dreamed of doing stuff – he was just lucky to end up being grabbed by the media to be the face of an already in progress resurgence. It was happening with or without him.

  6. The Lizardman Avatar

    Quick points:

    Born freaks have always been rare enough that while held in high regard they never filled sideshows – the bulk of the show casts have always been working acts and made freaks. Modern sideshows have featured many a born freak – most often little people and contortionists (real ones not the cirque du soleil just flexible folks) but modern audiences tend to not be impressed unless they also bring an act similar to how just being tattooed isn’t enough anymore – you need to do something

    Sideshow definitely valleyed hard but was having a comeback well before Jim ever dreamed of doing stuff – he was just lucky to end up being grabbed by the media to be the face of an already in progress resurgence. It was happening with or without him.

  7. lilyallenni Avatar
    lilyallenni

    Agent Orange?

  8. lilyallenni Avatar
    lilyallenni

    Agent Orange?

  9. lilyallenni Avatar
    lilyallenni

    Agent Orange?

  10. lilyallenni Avatar
    lilyallenni

    Agent Orange?

  11. lk Avatar
    lk

    hell yeah, I want to know more of this guy!

  12. lk Avatar
    lk

    hell yeah, I want to know more of this guy!

  13. lk Avatar
    lk

    hell yeah, I want to know more of this guy!

  14. lk Avatar
    lk

    hell yeah, I want to know more of this guy!

  15. Miles Mueller (Memphis, TN) Avatar
    Miles Mueller (Memphis, TN)

    Hey Jason, Good to see ur still doing alright. I meet performers and show folks every day, and you are one of the sharpest and most promising I’ve met. I hope your health is holding up and you get to perform inthe goos weather and snowboard in the better weather.
    I just resigned my job with the fairs, so my life is good.
    Later, man!
    Miles

  16. Miles Mueller (Memphis, TN) Avatar
    Miles Mueller (Memphis, TN)

    Hey Jason, Good to see ur still doing alright. I meet performers and show folks every day, and you are one of the sharpest and most promising I’ve met. I hope your health is holding up and you get to perform inthe goos weather and snowboard in the better weather.
    I just resigned my job with the fairs, so my life is good.
    Later, man!
    Miles

  17. Miles Mueller (Memphis, TN) Avatar
    Miles Mueller (Memphis, TN)

    Hey Jason, Good to see ur still doing alright. I meet performers and show folks every day, and you are one of the sharpest and most promising I’ve met. I hope your health is holding up and you get to perform inthe goos weather and snowboard in the better weather.
    I just resigned my job with the fairs, so my life is good.
    Later, man!
    Miles

  18. Miles Mueller (Memphis, TN) Avatar
    Miles Mueller (Memphis, TN)

    Hey Jason, Good to see ur still doing alright. I meet performers and show folks every day, and you are one of the sharpest and most promising I’ve met. I hope your health is holding up and you get to perform inthe goos weather and snowboard in the better weather.
    I just resigned my job with the fairs, so my life is good.
    Later, man!
    Miles

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