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50+ Scary And Dangerous Circus Performances That May Scare You

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The first modern circus was opened in 1768 by Philip Astley, but some historians believe that circuses were originated from Ancient Rome. Circuses gained popularity in the 19th and 20th century, and now there are shutting down because people have found various other ways of entertainment. Circuses used many kinds of domestic and wild animals, acrobats, musicians, jugglers, and various other artists who perform stunts to entertain people. In modern times people have changed their ideas about entertainment because circuses mistreated both animals and humans. Animal trainers in circuses use bullhooks, whips, and electric shocks to train animals to perform tricks. We here at Bygonely have collected some dangerous and creepy circus performers from the past that will scare you.

#1 Circus contortionist balancing with his teeth, 1900s

Circus contortionist balancing with his teeth, 1900s

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#2 Facial contortionist Alfred Hyland, gurning during an exhibition in Glasgow, 1938

Facial contortionist Alfred Hyland, gurning during an exhibition in Glasgow, 1938

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#3 Pablo Noel performing a dangerous stunt in Hamburg, Germany in 1962

Pablo Noel performing a dangerous stunt in Hamburg, Germany in 1962

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#4 A strongwoman balances a piano and pianist on her chest, 1920

A strongwoman balances a piano and pianist on her chest, 1920

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#5 Acrobats perform a delicate balancing act on a ledge of the Empire State Building in New York City, 1934

Acrobats perform a delicate balancing act on a ledge of the Empire State Building in New York City, 1934

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#6 Daredevil Gladys Roy trains for her flying acrobatics by balancing on the rooftop of a skyscraper in Los Angeles, 1925

Daredevil Gladys Roy trains for her flying acrobatics by balancing on the rooftop of a skyscraper in Los Angeles, 1925

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#8 A seal performing in a harness, the trainer nearby, at a circus, 1942

A seal performing in a harness, the trainer nearby, at a circus, 1942

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#9 Members of Bertram Mills Freak Show are examined by a medical profession. On the examination table is the ‘Giraffe Necked Woman’, 1935

Members of Bertram Mills Freak Show are examined by a medical profession. On the examination table is the ‘Giraffe Necked Woman’, 1935

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#10 A man carrying twins, two 36-year-olds who are part of a circus act, in his bags, 1935

A man carrying twins, two 36-year-olds who are part of a circus act, in his bags, 1935

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#11 Anita, ‘the Living Doll’, sits for a portrait, 1912

Anita, ‘the Living Doll’, sits for a portrait, 1912

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#12 JoJo, the “Dog face Boy” performed in circuses, 1900

JoJo, the “Dog face Boy" performed in circuses, 1900

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#13 Circus legend Karl Wallenda crossing the Tallulah Gorge, 1970

Circus legend Karl Wallenda crossing the Tallulah Gorge, 1970

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#19 Two acrobats doing a aerial balance by their teeth

Two acrobats doing a aerial balance by their teeth

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#20 George Challard bending an iron bar with his teeth, 1935

George Challard bending an iron bar with his teeth, 1935

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#23 Snake Charmer girl charming snakes and pythings, 1900s

Snake Charmer girl charming snakes and pythings, 1900s

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#24 Czech showman Baron Richard Nowak, 19, stands 21 inches high & weighs 17 lbs., blowing on a trumpet as he nestles inside tuba player of the Hamid-Morton Circus, 1940

Czech showman Baron Richard Nowak, 19, stands 21 inches high & weighs 17 lbs., blowing on a trumpet as he nestles inside tuba player of the Hamid-Morton Circus, 1940

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#25 Samson Brown, the world’s strongest man, lets a motorcycle run over him, 1934

Samson Brown, the world’s strongest man, lets a motorcycle run over him, 1934

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#26 Man crushes a block placed on the stomach of a strongman, 1930

Man crushes a block placed on the stomach of a strongman, 1930

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#27 Dixie the elephant from Whipsnade Zoo performs part of her repertoire with her keeper George Braham, 1932

Dixie the elephant from Whipsnade Zoo performs part of her repertoire with her keeper George Braham, 1932

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#29 A circus elephant balances on its front legs, 1920

A circus elephant balances on its front legs, 1920

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#30 German strongman Eugene Sandow and Goliath wrestling with “a bear.”, 1910

German strongman Eugene Sandow and Goliath wrestling with “a bear.”, 1910

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#34 Edwardian circus performer Pansy Chinery with dangling in the air by her teeth, 1916

Edwardian circus performer Pansy Chinery with dangling in the air by her teeth, 1916

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#35 Sonora Webster Carver diving with her horse, Lightning

Sonora Webster Carver diving with her horse, Lightning

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#37 Trick cyclist riding around in the crazy mouse wheel

Trick cyclist riding around in the crazy mouse wheel

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#40 Spanish high wire cycling act The Mestelrich Trio, performing high above Battersea Pleasure Gardens, London.

Spanish high wire cycling act The Mestelrich Trio, performing high above Battersea Pleasure Gardens, London.

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#42 A strong man carrying 12 men on his legs in a circus perofrmance

A strong man carrying 12 men on his legs in a circus perofrmance

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#46 An elephant from Earl’s Court Circus with a man in its mouth.

An elephant from Earl's Court Circus with a man in its mouth.

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#47 Elephants from the Blackpool Whitsun Circus being unloaded at Tilbury docks, 1928

Elephants from the Blackpool Whitsun Circus being unloaded at Tilbury docks, 1928

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#48 Animal trainers from Bertram Mills Circus rehearse with the elephants at the circus’s winter quarters in Ascot in preparation for their next performance at Olympia in London, 1949

Animal trainers from Bertram Mills Circus rehearse with the elephants at the circus's winter quarters in Ascot in preparation for their next performance at Olympia in London, 1949

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#52 A woman circus performer, dressed in a leopard skin gladiator costume, places her head in a lion’s mouth

A woman circus performer, dressed in a leopard skin gladiator costume, places her head in a lion's mouth

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#53 German circus performer Alsons Tonelli performs a headstand on a rope 120 feet from the ground at Battersea Festival Gardens, London

German circus performer Alsons Tonelli performs a headstand on a rope 120 feet from the ground at Battersea Festival Gardens, London

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Written by Jacob Aberto

Sincere, friendly, curious, ambitious, enthusiast. I'm a content crafter and social media expert. I love Classic Movies because their dialogue, scenery and stories are awesome.

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