Born without any legs.
climbed the stairs to the top of the Washington Monument, on his hands. [1938]
Had a lifelong obsession with trains, and even bought a miniature train which he and his brother, Robert, would take to carnivals. Johnny would serve as engineer and give children rides.
He and his twin brother are both buried in the 'R' section in Baltimore's Greenmount Cemetery.
His true stature had he born with normal legs would have been about five foot seven inches.
Owned a miniature car that was street-legal in Baltimore.
The only time Johnny and Rob were ever apart from each other was the time Johnny spent in Hollywood filming Freaks (1932).
Was "discovered" by talent scouts while performing in Canadian Exposition. His manager had told him he was going to California to work in a circus, so didn't realize he was going to be in a movie until he reported for work and found himself on a sound stage.
Was displayed in the late 1930s in several Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditoriums, where he was billed as "The Most Remarkable Man Alive!"