Who Is Grady Stiles? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Grady Stiles, born on June 26, 1937, was an American entertainer who gained notoriety for his unique performance style and captivating presence in the entertainment industry. Stiles passed away in 1992, but his legacy remains alive, resonating with fans of sideshow performance and freak show culture. Given that as of 2025, he would have been 88 years old, his life continues to inspire discussions about the plight and empowerment of those living with physical differences.
| Occupation | Murderers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 26, 1937 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | |
| Date of death | 29 November, 1992 |
| Died Place | Gibsonton, Florida |
Popularity
Grady Stiles's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Grady Stiles was a standout performer not only for his talent but also for his distinctive appearance, characterized by his ectrodactyly condition, which affected his hands and feet. Although specific measurements are often hard to come by, his portrayal as the "Lobster Boy" made him a recognizable figure in the circus and sideshow community. His unique physiology became a significant part of his identity and performance style.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Stiles had a complex family life. He was married multiple times and faced various personal challenges, including legal issues stemming from his relationships. His first marriage was to a woman named Mary, and he later remarried. His relationships exemplified the struggles he faced, mingling love with the challenges of his physical condition. As of 2025, Grady Stiles's legacy involves discussions around his relationships, focusing on how they impacted his career and personal life.
According to Grady's father, the Stiles family had a long history of ectrodactyly, dating back to 1840. Grady Stiles Jr. was the fourth child of Grady F. Stiles Sr. and his wife Edna. Capitalizing on his deformity, Grady Stiles Sr. was a sideshow attraction in a traveling carnival. After Grady Jr.
Stiles married twice and had four children, two of whom also had ectrodactyly. Stiles and his two children toured together as The Lobster Family. When not traveling with the carnival, the Stiles family lived in Gibsonton, Florida, where many other carnival performers lived during the winter season.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 1992, Grady Stiles had accumulated a modest fortune primarily derived from his performances and appearances in various shows and documentaries. His net worth was estimated to be in the range of thousands of dollars, though exact figures can be hard to confirm. His earnings as a performer varied greatly, reflective of the entertainment industry's fluctuations and the stigmas associated with his showbiz niche.
Career, Business, and Investments
Grady Stiles started his career in the circus from a young age, captivating audiences with his unique talent. Known as "Lobster Boy," he became a prominent figure in the sideshow circuit, performing acts that highlighted his physical differences. Posthumously, his story has been the subject of documentaries, books, and articles that explore the nuances of performing arts and the societal implications of freak shows. His legacy serves as a conversation piece around entertainment, acceptance, and the evolution of sideshows toward more respectful representations of performers with differences.
Social Network
Though Grady Stiles did not engage with contemporary social media platforms during his life, his legacy has generated a strong presence online. Fan pages, tribute accounts, and discussions about his life and work are predominant across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These networks serve to keep his memory alive, allowing fans and newcomers to discuss and appreciate his contributions to performance art and the circus world.
Grady Franklin Stiles Jr. (June 26, 1937 – November 29, 1992) was an American freak show performer and murderer. His deformity was the genetic condition ectrodactyly, in which the fingers and toes are fused together to form claw-like extremities. Because of this, Stiles performed under the stage name "Lobster Boy".
Education
Information regarding Grady Stiles’s formal education is limited. His career in the entertainment industry began at a young age, reflecting a path that moved through various methods of training, exposure, and mentorship rather than traditional educational institutions. His life as a performer can be understood as an alternative form of education, learned through practical experience in the circus and sideshow circuits.
On September 28, 1978 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Stiles shot and killed his oldest daughter's fiancé on the eve of their wedding, as Stiles did not approve of him. He was brought to trial, where he openly confessed to killing the man and was convicted of third-degree murder.
He was not sent to prison as no state institution was equipped to care for an inmate with ectrodactyly. Stiles was instead sentenced to house arrest and fifteen years probation.
