The real Shrek

We probably all know Shrek, the green ogre who lives in an ogre swamp. What most of us probably don't know is that the characteristics of Shrek are probably based on someone who really lived.

Whoever compares Shrek to Maurice Tillet will notice many similarities. Tillet was a Russian-born French professional wrestler who was diagnosed with acromegaly, resulting in bone swelling. The disease prevented Tillet from his ambition to study law. In 1937, Tillet met Carl Pojello, a professional wrestler, who convinced Tillet to enter the business of wrestling. For a long time, Tillet was booked as unstoppable, going undefeated for a span of 19 consecutive months. By 1945, Tillet's health began to fail and in his final wrestling match, in Singapore on February 14, 1953, he lost to Bert Assirati.

Maurice Tillet died on September 4, 1954, in France, from heart disease.