The Great Omi: The Man Behind the Pattern

The Great Omi, born Horace Leonard Ridler, was one of the most recognizable sideshow performers of the 20th century. His striking, full-body pattern and theatrical persona made him a star, but his life was full of contradictions that went far beyond his stage appearance.

Born into a wealthy British family in 1892, Ridler was an educated man who served as a major in the British Army during World War I. After the war, he dabbled in a few professions before finding his true calling in the world of spectacle and performance.

The Transformation

To achieve his vision, Ridler sought out George Burchett, a highly respected London tattoo artist. He had a few pre-existing tattoos, but his ultimate goal was to be completely covered in a bold pattern. Burchett spent 150 hours applying the extensive, black-pigment design that covered Ridler from head to toe. The cost was reported to be a staggering amount for the time, though Burchett later claimed he was never fully paid for the work. This full-body pattern was unique and became his trademark, with his un-tattooed skin serving as the lighter contrast. This effect earned him nicknames like "The Zebra Man" or "The Leopard Man."

Ridler didn't stop there. He knew that tattoos alone weren't enough to sustain a career in the sideshow. He took his transformation a step further by having his ears and septum pierced and stretched. To complete his "savage" look, he reportedly hired a dentist to file his teeth into sharp points.

A New Identity

With his transformation complete, Horace Ridler was no more; The Great Omi was born. He crafted an elaborate stage persona, claiming to have been captured by "savages" in the wilds of New Guinea who ritualistically patterned him. This captivating, though fictional, backstory was a common trope in sideshows of the era and successfully drew in large crowds. His savvy as a showman was on full display in 1939 when, upon his arrival for the New York World’s Fair, he and his wife were reported to have been attacked with a knife in Times Square. The incident, which police have no record of, was widely believed to be a clever publicity stunt to generate headlines.

The Great Omi became a major act, performing with his wife Gladys, who went by the name "Omette." They toured extensively, appearing at circuses and carnivals around the world, including with Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" and the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus. Ridler's act was more than just showing off his pattern; he was an accomplished performer who maintained a dignified and slightly mysterious air.

Legacy and Final Years

Horace Ridler's life as The Great Omi was a testament to his commitment to his art. After a long and successful career, he retired to a quiet life in a small cottage in the English countryside. He passed away in 1969, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that highlights a pivotal time for this art form, when it was both a permanent mark of individuality and a tool for performance and celebrity. The Great Omi remains a historic and fascinating figure, an example of a man who fully embraced his unique path.