The next time anyone tries to put me down by calling me a pinhead I'm going to smile and say "thank you very much for the compliment!"
Any of us should consider ourselves quite fortunate to be described as such. It puts us in the company of the most famous and beloved "pinhead" of all time, Schlitze Surtees, a special human being who died in 1971 yet is still remembered today for bringing unadulterated joy, laughter and love to the world around him.
Schlitze ~ Our Fearless Leader
My first encounter with Schlitze (also commonly spelled Schlitzie) was many years ago, when I saw him in the Tod Browning directed MGM film Freaks. As one promotional lobby card reads, it is the story of the love life of the sideshow, although the underlying theme that I got out of it was one of unconditional love for human beings of all shapes and sizes (bad guys excluded, of course.)
In Freaks, Schlitze was one of the good guys. Or rather, he was a good guy in real life who was cast in the role of a good girl, but that's a whole other story. The point is, I have loved this film for many years and Schlitze's exuberant featured-role performance is the main reason why it's so special to me.
In Freaks, Schlitze was one of the good guys. Or rather, he was a good guy in real life who was cast in the role of a good girl, but that's a whole other story. The point is, I have loved this film for many years and Schlitze's exuberant featured-role performance is the main reason why it's so special to me.
I've come to learn so much about Schlitze's carnival and film career and personal life over the years, thanks to my good friend, Scott Michaels, who so adores this gentle soul that he has his image tattooed on his right forearm. The more I learned, the more I grew to adore him as well.
Back in October 2007, a discussion began among fellow Death Hags on Scott's message board regarding the fact that Schlitze's grave had remained unmarked for nearly 40 years. In fact, for many years, the whereabouts of his remains was a mystery until research conducted by dedicated fans confirmed that he had been buried in a pauper's grave along with two other souls, courtesy of Los Angeles County, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, Calif.
Back in October 2007, a discussion began among fellow Death Hags on Scott's message board regarding the fact that Schlitze's grave had remained unmarked for nearly 40 years. In fact, for many years, the whereabouts of his remains was a mystery until research conducted by dedicated fans confirmed that he had been buried in a pauper's grave along with two other souls, courtesy of Los Angeles County, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, Calif.
Fast forward to February 2009. After generous and heroic efforts by board members, most notably Shelly Lichoff of Columbus, Ohio, approximately $400 was donated to the cause, a headstone was placed on Schlitze's grave and what appears to be a first annual "Schlitze's Day" was organized to remember and memorialize him.
I was honored to be included in the events that sunny day, celebrating Schlitze's life with a group of wonderful people, most of whom I did not know beforehand, but felt fast friends with from first hellos.
I was honored to be included in the events that sunny day, celebrating Schlitze's life with a group of wonderful people, most of whom I did not know beforehand, but felt fast friends with from first hellos.
Friends of Schlitze gather at his newly-marked grave
Placed in late 2008, it was already in need of some upkeep
Scott does the honors
Cleaned up and ready to be decorated!
Bill Paredes Jr. sticks a penny in the ground ~ Schlitze loved to spit-shine pennies
Verne Langdon and Reverend Bryan Moore each spoke with
heartfelt eloquence about The Importance of Schlitze
Reverend Bryan Moore conducted the service. He shared that whenever he sees Schlitze
on film or in a photograph, Schlitze is usually smiling which in turn makes us smile, too. "On a level of purity, Schlitze quite literally exuded
happiness, simplicity and love," he said. "To this day, Schlitze has the capacity to
make us feel and make us smile."
Verne Langdon also spoke, from experience. He had known Schlitze over the course of many years and recalled their first meeting at a carnival, when Verne was 9-years-old and Schlitze was a veteran featured attraction. He felt an immediate and everlasting bond with the star, and that their meeting was fate.
Like most children, Verne loved cartoons. When he asked his mother to take him backstage to meet Schlitze he discovered that Schlitze "was a living cartoon, alive on the inside" and remarked how Schlitze had a natural way of "making a child out of each and every one of us."
Verne also recalled how over the years when their paths would cross, Schlitze always seemed to remember their bond and be happy to see him again, despite not having much in the way of conversation between them. Schlitze communicated with his eyes, his smile and his laugh.
For a personal recollection of the day written by Verne, and to see videos of the speakers, please be sure to visit Scott's site, Findadeath.com.
Verne Langdon also spoke, from experience. He had known Schlitze over the course of many years and recalled their first meeting at a carnival, when Verne was 9-years-old and Schlitze was a veteran featured attraction. He felt an immediate and everlasting bond with the star, and that their meeting was fate.
Like most children, Verne loved cartoons. When he asked his mother to take him backstage to meet Schlitze he discovered that Schlitze "was a living cartoon, alive on the inside" and remarked how Schlitze had a natural way of "making a child out of each and every one of us."
Verne also recalled how over the years when their paths would cross, Schlitze always seemed to remember their bond and be happy to see him again, despite not having much in the way of conversation between them. Schlitze communicated with his eyes, his smile and his laugh.
For a personal recollection of the day written by Verne, and to see videos of the speakers, please be sure to visit Scott's site, Findadeath.com.
Three friends I actually did know prior to Schlitze's Day: Scott,CC and Steve
Scott's Schlitze tattoo
Scott and CiCi made beautiful grave rubbings of Schlitze's new marker
Schlitze and Me
Many thanks to everyone who made this day so special: Scott Michaels, Verne Langdon, Shelly Lichoff, Bryan Moore, Heather Saenz, Micah Harris, Tim Harris, Phil De Croocq, Liesel Damota, Joel Malmen, Nick Lichoff, Bill Paredes, Bill Paredes Jr., Gary and Gail Koch, Michael Kriegsman, CC and Steve Goldstein.
More photos from the day may be viewed at the Schlitze's Day Flickr Photo Album.
For additional information about Schlitze, please be sure to visit Scott Michaels' Findadeath additional tribute page; There's Something About Schlitze, a comprehensive site by Tom Hernandez; and a Findagrave.com memorial page where you can leave messages and virtual flowers in his honor.
Rest in peace, dear Schlitze. Thank you for being uniquely you.
More photos from the day may be viewed at the Schlitze's Day Flickr Photo Album.
For additional information about Schlitze, please be sure to visit Scott Michaels' Findadeath additional tribute page; There's Something About Schlitze, a comprehensive site by Tom Hernandez; and a Findagrave.com memorial page where you can leave messages and virtual flowers in his honor.
Rest in peace, dear Schlitze. Thank you for being uniquely you.
Watch Schlitze's big scene in Freaks
Lisa! It was great to have you on board with us for the first-ever (of many-to-come?) Schlitze's Day! Our little Friend would be delighted he can still draw a crowd! What better accolade for a show biz Icon? Viva Scott Michaels and findadeath, viva Shelly Lichoff, viva Micah Harris, viva Phil De Croocq, viva Joel Malmen, viva Bryan Moore, and viva Heather Saenz, Lisa Burks, Tim Harris, Liesel Damota, Nick Lichoff, Bill Paredes, Bill Paredes Jr., Gary and Gail Koch, CiCi Cota, Steve Goldstein, Michael Kriegsman, and last but NEVER least, famous SCHLITZE!
- Verne Langdon
Posted by: Verne Langdon | Mar 04, 2009 at 05:52
It's wonderful that he was able to have a marker placed over his grave. I've seen Freaks several times and I've read what I could find about him and I'm never failed to be amazed at how happy this gentle soul was. It's too bad, and probably impossible, but too bad that the people he shares a grave with cannot also have a headstone. Everyone desrves one and I'm so glad Schlitze has his.
Posted by: Sharon R. | Sep 04, 2009 at 11:26
You don't have to feel sad about the people who share a grave with Schlitze because he is watching over them and making them smile. I could think of no better place to be buried then beside this wonderful human being.
Posted by: John | Mar 14, 2010 at 23:01
The grave across from his is the first victim of Manson
Posted by: Colt | Jun 29, 2010 at 19:24
Dear, please remeber that don't miss your smile forever!
Posted by: Air Force Ones | Nov 07, 2010 at 22:03
This is very interesting i love knowing about things like this discovering interesting stuff and also paying your respects to the dead its just amazing. and i seen that CC woman on LA Ink show :D You all are amazing<3
Posted by: Anacatalina | May 12, 2012 at 11:24