Shrekthe green ogre that captured hearts around the world, started with one film and evolved into a successful franchise consisting of four features in total.
Now, rumors about a fifth film are beginning to emerge, keeping the magic of the kingdom of Far Far Away alive.
But have you ever stopped to think about what the inspiration behind Shrek would be? The truth behind the character is fascinating.
The story of Maurice Tillet
Maurice Tillet was the inspiration for Shrek’s appearance – Image: Wikimedia Commons/Reproduction
Voiced by Mike Myers (in the English version), Shrek’s appearance was modeled after Maurice Tillet, a wrestler who lived and died in the 20th century.
Maurice Tillet, of Russian origin, was born in 1903. Fatherless at a young age, he moved to France with his mother.
At age 20, Tillet was diagnosed with acromegaly, a rare condition that affects the pituitary gland, resulting in abnormal growth of bones and tissues, especially in the extremities.
His unique appearance became striking, completely altering his face and bone structure. Initially, Tillet trained as a lawyer, but his appearance and voice made him abandon the law. profession.
He chose to become an engineer, however, after five years in this career, he followed his true calling as a wrestler.
Nicknamed the French Angel, Tillet has made a name for himself in the fighting world. However, in 1945, Tillet’s health began to decline due to acromegaly.
In 1954, at the age of 51, Maurice Tillet left us, but his image lives on in an unexpected way.
Will be remembered forever
The producers of ‘Shrek’ carefully studied images of Tillet to recreate the character’s visual peculiarity.
Shrek immortalized the French Angel’s unique appearance on screen. movie theatergrossing an incredible $484 million at the worldwide box office.
Shrek, Puss in Boots and Donkey – Image: Reproduction
Maurice Tillet’s extraordinary journey will always be remembered through Shrek. His story, marked by challenges and triumphs, is a deep-rooted part of the magic that has made this green ogre so beloved by all ages.
