Jacob Reuben Erlich lived an exceptional life; all the more so given his status as one of the world’s tallest men, towering above his contemporaries at an astonishing 8 foot 6.
Jacob Reuben Erlich lived an exceptional life; all the more so given his status as one of the world’s tallest men, towering above his contemporaries at an astonishing 8 foot 6.
As a teenager, Jake was discovered during a visit to California, where he became a denizen of 1920s Hollywood and starred in some 50 silent films. He then spent 14 years touring with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a sideshow performer. Later still, he would earn renown as a painter, poet, photographer and sculptor whose works can be found in the permanent collection of the Museum of Natural History in New York. As if this were not enough, he was also an accomplished dancer, musician, vaudeville entertainer, expert marksman, and the key witness for a landmark libel case that set new professional standards for medical research.
The Long Shadows: The Story of Jake Erlich is the inspiring story of the man best known as Jack Earle, who would overcome crippling shyness, depression, temporary blindness and the physical challenges of a giant’s frame to earn widespread acclaim for his intelligence, kindness and multi-faceted artistry.
Jake’s story is lovingly portrayed by his nephew, Dr. Andy Erlich, who turned three on the day his uncle died of kidney failure at age 46.
