Maurice Tillet Shrek prototype born in Russia

Maurice Tillet Shrek prototype
I’ve always suspected strong, charming and kind-hearted Shrek could have Russian roots. His prototype Maurice Tillet was born on October 23, 1903 into the family of Russian intelligence. His mother was a teacher of foreign languages, and this must explain Maurice’s talent in studying languages. It is known that he could speak at least 16 foreign languages. Maurice Tillet’s father was a railroad engineer. The family lived in the Urals region. His father died when Maurice was young. When Maurice was 14 years old the Russian revolution began. So, he and his mother left Russia for France, like many intelligent people of that time. The boy had attractive appearance, and was nicknamed “The Angel”, due to his angelic face. The word “angel” stayed with him till his death. The boy’s dream to become a lawyer never came true.

Maurice Tillet, 1946

Maurice and his mother stayed in Reims, France. At the age of 17 he noticed swelling in his body – feet, hands, head. The doctors’ diagnoses was hopeless – acromegaly. Acromegaly is a condition caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, resulting in bone overgrowth and thickening.

Acromegaly is a condition caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, resulting in bone overgrowth and thickening

Tillet served in the French Navy for five years as an engineer. In February 1937, Tillet met professional wrestler Carl Pojello (Karl Pojello) in Singapore, who convinced Maurice begin wrestling career. Carl Pojello and Maurice Tillet moved to Paris for training. Then the Second World War began and in 1939 Maurice left for the USA. There he became famous as The French Angel.

Maurice Tillet

On September 4, 1954, Tillet’s life-long friend and manager Karl Pojello (Carl Pojello) died at the age of 61 of lung cancer. Tillet suffered a heart attack when informed of the news, and was taken to County Hospital where he passed away 13 hours later, late Saturday night, September 4, 1954. Both Tillet and Pojello were buried at the same time and next to each other, with a service at 1:30 p.m. on September 8, 1954, at the chapel at 3354 South Halsted Street, and were interred in the Lithuanian National Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.

Graves of Maurice Tillet and his friend Carl Pojello

Graves of Maurice Tillet and his friend Carl Pojello who died on the same date, September 4, 1954, and who were buried simultaneously, next to each other at the national lithuanian cemetery near chicago. “Friends Whom Even Death Couldn’t Part”

He was twice recognized world heavyweight champion by the American Wrestling Association.

As a result of his success, several Angel imitators emerged, including the Tony Angelo (Russian Angel), Super Swedish Angel, Jack Rush (Canadian Angel), Wladislaw Tulin (Polish Angel), Stan Pinto (Czech Angel), Clive Welsh (Irish Angel), Jack Falk (Golden Angel), Gil Guerrero (Black Angel), and Jean Noble (Lady Angel). Tillet competed against Tor Johnson billed as The Swedish Angel on several occasions.