Frances O'Connor (performer)
Frances O'Connor | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 8, 1914 |
| Died | January 30, 1982 (aged 67) |
| Occupations | Sideshow performer, billed as the living Venus de Milo, film actress |
Frances Belle[1] O'Connor (September 8, 1914 – January 30, 1982) was an American entertainer, born without arms and stouted legs, who performed in sideshows and circuses, however was best known for appearing in Tod Browning's cult film Freaks in 1932, alongside another limbless performer Martha Morris.
Biography
Early life
O'Connor was born in Hawk Creek Township, Renville Country, Minnesota to Freddie Lee O'Connor and Emma Josephine Fredrickson, she was born without arms apparently due to her mother having had the German Measles during pregnancy, she had 2 siblings Wallace and Dennis.[1],
Career
O'Connor billed as "The Armless Wonder" and the living Venus de Milo made her living appearing in circus sideshows [2] She also did knitting and sewing with her feet as a hobby. She worked firstly with AI G Circus and then from the mid-1920s to the mid-1940s with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey travelling circuses.[3]
O'Connor, was cast by Ben Piazza in the 1932 pre-code cult film classic Freaks, opposite Martha Morris (1902-1937),[4] (who was also born without arms, and shortened legs), directed and produced by Tod Browning. The film revolves around a group of individuals with physical deformities, predominantly played by real life freak show performers. In the film she would demonstrate how she used her feet to perform everyday activities, with an almost ballerina style grace.
In 2024, Michael Dykhorst wrote a 200+ page book on Frances' life with the help and encouragement of her nephew. Michael also published a blog post on Frances.[1] The book entitled "Frances O'Connor: The Armless Wonder" was part of the Sheridan, Wyoming, History Series Book II. Mr. Dykhorst published this work on September 8, 2024, the date of Frances' 110 birthday. Copies are available through his website.
References
- ^ a b c Dykhorst, Michael (2024-06-10). "The Remarkable Life of Frances Belle O'Connor: A Journey from Sheridan to the Silver Screen". My Site. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Cocchis, Roberto (December 24, 2017). ""Wonders without Arms": the most famous artists in the Circus of the late '800 and early' 900". Vanilla Magazine (in Italian). Retrieved 18 April 2018.
- ^ "Frances O'Connor - The Living Venus De Milo". The Human Marvels. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
- ^ Craig, Jim (November 16, 2015). "THE ARMLESS WONDER - Martha Morris". Under Every Tombstone. Retrieved 18 April 2018.