Nobody's Fool The Life and Times of Schlitzie the Pinhead

In the graphic novel biography Nobody’s Fool:The Life and Times of Schlitzie the Pinhead “. . . virtuoso comic-strip artist Bill Griffith gives voice to a true outcast—the sideshow attraction born Simon Metz (probably) in the Bronx (probably) in 1901. He fills the biographical lacunae with vivid info on the sideshow life, Hollywood in the ’30s, and linework so rich you could eat it . . . this is an uplifting, wonderfully humane book” (New York Times).

The story of Schlitzie’s long career—from Coney Island and the Ringling Bros. Circus to small-town carnivals and big-city sideshows—is one of legend. Today, he is most well-known for his appearance in the cult classic Freaks, and Nobody’s Fool presents the making of it and Schlitzie’s role in the film a centerpiece of the book.

In researching Schlitzie’s life (1901–1971), Griffith tracked down primary sources and archives throughout the country, including conducting interviews with those who worked with him and had intimate knowledge of his personality, his likes and dislikes, how he responded to being a sideshow “freak,” and much more. This graphic novel biography provides never-before-revealed details of his life, offering a unique look into his world and restoring dignity to his life by recognizing his contributions to popular culture.

Bill Griffith is the creator of the syndicated daily comic strip Zippy. Griffith’s prolific output has been included in such publications as the VillageVoice, National Lampoon, and the New Yorker. According to Bartlett, Griffith coined the popular phrase “Are we having fun yet?” He lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.