Gilbert Reichert

Gilbert Reichert was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1913 or 1915 to parents who were both over 6 feet tall. He married, and when his daughter Linda was born in 1949 he claimed to be 'the only giant in the world who has a child". When Jack Earle died in 1952 he claimed the title of "world's tallest man" also. Gilbert Reichert trouped for 15 years with various circuses and carnivals but upon the birth of his third child in 1953 announced his "carny life is over for good" as "it's not life for a family man". Although he did take a short break, we have pictures of him touring the 1956-58 seasons with RBB&B circus (perhaps only at their Madison Square Garden engagement) and exhibiting as Mr. Texas Gold.

He was billed as "The Motion Picture Giant" due to his appearance in Cecil B. DeMille's production of "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952). The cast included many of the Circuses actual performers at the time.

Gilbert Reichert played basketball for the House of David Israelites, a team of five who all grew beards and the Cleveland Clowns. He was known as Tiny Reichert and Tiny Burnette. In 1952 Reichert became the manager of a touring basketball team called the Vagabond Kings.

After he announced his retirement from showbusiness in 1953 to spend more time with his family, he became a salesman for a shoe company and a car company but still had occasional stints as a "giant".