Resilient Facts About Commodore Nutt, The Tiny Entertainer With A Big Personality
Many people try to hide the ways they’re different. But in the case of Commodore Nutt, hiding his “unique” appearance was impossible. It made for a dramatic life of both fame and failure.
1. He Should Have Had It All
Born in New Hampshire in the late 1840s, George Washington Morrison Nutt grew up in a fairly wealthy family. Not only did his father own lucrative farms, but he also served in prestigious roles, including time as a city marshal. With his parents and four brothers and sisters, he wanted for nothing. Well, almost nothing.
2. He Stopped Growing
Nutt was born with dwarfism. So while his parents and three of his siblings grew to normal size, he and his older brother never got much taller than the average child. Nutt’s full height ended up at about 2.5 feet.
Even with his economic advantage, this likely caused him some discomfort. His ultimate response, though, set him on the path to stardom.
3. He Used His “Weird”
While it isn’t clear exactly when he made his debut, most reports state Nutt began his career in entertainment in his early teens. Like many people with unusual genetics during that period of history, he found his place as a member of a traveling circus. His potential for entertaining seemed evident—so evident that he became easy to take advantage of.
4. His Manager Called Him Dumb
Somehow, Nutt found himself under the management of a woman named Lillie. Reports on her connection to the circus are meager, but she allegedly charged just five cents for a look at Nutt. Worse off, she marketed him as a boy with no education.
Luckily for Nutt, an unexpected savior soon spotted him, and ultimately changed his life forever.
