Background
Laurello was born Martin Emmerling in Germany circa 1886.
Laurello was born Martin Emmerling in Germany circa 1886.
He performed with groups such as Ripley"s Believe it or Not, Ringling Brothers, and Barnum & Bailey. He also trained animals to do things such as acrobatics. In 1921, together with a handful of other freaks from Europe, Laurello arrived in the United States.
Laurello could turn his head 180 degrees.
In the words of fellow sideshow performer Percilla Berjano, known as the "Monkey Girl", " could put his head all the way around". Being born with a slightly bent spine might have also aided Laurello in pulling off his act of flexibility.
Foreign a period of time, Laurello was billed at the Bailey Circus as "Bobby the Boy with the Revolving Head". Laurello also worked at the New York City-based Hubert"s Museum, mostly during the winter, as well as Ringling Brothers and Coney Island.
During his stint at the Ripley"s Believe lieutenant or Not! Odditoriums in the 1930s, Laurello managed to attract massive crowds.
When performing, Laurello preferred to don a white shirt. He also trained dogs and cats to do acrobatic tricks. There is not much documented about Laurello"s personal life.
Berjano described Laurello as "a Nazi" who "didn"t like the American flag".
In April 1931, Laurello was arrested by Baltimore police for abandoning his spouse, after she lodged a complaint via telegram.