Grace McDaniels(1888-1958)

Grace McDaniels suffered from severe facial deformity; she appeared in Harry Lewiston's sideshow (for $175 a week) billed as "The Mule-Faced Woman". Her appearance reportedly caused some in the audience to faint. Despite her personal misfortune, those who knew her described her as a very kind, loving person. She eventually married, and the union produced a son who eventually became his mother's business manager and traveled with her until her death. A documentary film about Grace McDaniels was produced in 1950, but never released. More information about (and a photo of) Grace McDaniels can be found in Frederick Drimmer's fascinating 1973 book, "Very Special People".