Zip the Pinhead

Zip the Pinhead, born William Henry Johnson, (1842 Liberty Corners, New Jersey – April 28, 1926 New York, New York) was an American freak show performer famous for his oddly tapered head.

As Zip the Pinhead

Zip's early performances were set against a background story. It was told to the audience that a tribe of "missing links" had been discovered in Africa, and that Zip was one of these. It was further explained that the "wild man", the "What-Is-It", subsisted on raw meat, nuts, and fruit, but was learning to eat more civilized fare such as bread and cake.

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Zip would then be revealed in a cage where he could rattle the bars and screech. This act was tremendously successful for Barnum, and Zip was as big a draw to his American Museum as the famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker.

Related Topics:
American Museum - Siamese twins - Chang and Eng Bunker

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In later years Zip became more "civilized" in his act. He shared the stage with other prodigies, including his friends Jim Tarver, the Texas Giant; Jack Earle, the Tallest Man in the World; and many others. Zip also traveled extensively with the Ringling Brothers circus.

Related Topics:
Jim Tarver - Jack Earle - Ringling Brothers - Circus

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Zip drew the attention of important figures of the time. In 1860 he was visited at the Museum by the Prince of Wales; his photo (the one pictured above) was taken by famed Civil War photographer Mathew Brady.

Related Topics:
1860 - Prince of Wales - Civil War - Mathew Brady

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Throughout this period Zip's best friend and manager was Captain O.K. White. White conscientiously looked after Zip's interests. He also gave Zip one of his prized possessions, a tuxedo. He would wear the tuxedo on special occasions such as birthdays.

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One of his other possessions was a fiddle. It was said that he purchased the fiddle in Kentucky and that it had once belonged to Daniel Boone. Zip was unskillful with the instrument to say the least, but it is reported that audiences loved seeing Zip play his fiddle and dance about with it.

Related Topics:
Kentucky - Daniel Boone

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In his later years Zip eschewed traveling in favor of displaying himself at Coney Island. One Sunday afternoon in 1925, during one of his strolls on the boardwalk, Zip heard a little girl cry for help. He noticed the girl waving her arms in the ocean and swam out to rescue her. He instantly became a hero, being cheered by all who witnessed, but shyly ran away from the attention of being a good samaritan.

Related Topics:
Coney Island - 1925 - Good samaritan

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He took seriously ill in early 1926. He had bronchitis and despite the wishes of his doctor and Captain White he continued to perform in a stage play in which he had a part. Upon the closing of the play he returned to his home in Bound Brook, NJ, where he was cared for by his doctor, Captain White, and his sister. When his condition worsened he was moved to Bellevue Hospital in New York City where he passed away.

Related Topics:
Bound Brook - Bellevue Hospital - New York City

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It is estimated that during his astonishing 67 years in show business, Zip entertained more than one hundred million people. He was termed "The Dean of Freaks". His funeral was attended by the greatest side show acts of the days, including Madame Olga, the Bearded Lady; Frank Graf, the tattooed man; and many more. During the ceremonies the distraught Capt. White collapsed. He died three days later.

Related Topics:
Madame Olga - Frank Graf

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Zip the Pinhead, William Henry Johnson, was buried in Plot 399 of the Bound Brook Cemetery. A small gravestone bearing the inscription "William H. Johnson, 1857–1926" marks his resting place.

Related Topics:
Bound Brook Cemetery - Gravestone - 1857 - 1926

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Johnson is partly the inspiration for Bill Griffith's similarly-named comics character, Zippy the Pinhead.

Related Topics:
Bill Griffith - Zippy the Pinhead

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