Carmen Nigro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carmen Nigro
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| Born | October 10, 1905 Chicago, Illinois, USA
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| Died | September 24, 1990 (aged 84) Speedway, Indiana, USA
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Ken Roady |
| Known for | Disputed claims of career as a Hollywood stuntman |
Carmen Nigro (October 10, 1905 – September 24, 1990) was an American chef. He became known for claiming he worked as a Hollywood stuntman for three decades. He said his professional name was Ken Roady. Starting in 1969, he gave many interviews. In these, he claimed he acted in a gorilla suit in many Hollywood films. His most famous claim was playing the main gorilla in the 1933 classic King Kong.
Some journalists and writers believed Nigro's claims during his lifetime. However, most film historians have disagreed with his story. They generally see him as an impostor.
Carmen Nigro's Hollywood Claims
In 1969, Carmen Nigro first shared his story about acting in a gorilla suit for the 1933 movie King Kong. He was quoted in the Chicago Sun Times using his other name, Ken Roady. He said he "got paid $150 a week." He also claimed he "never could get along with either Fay Wray or Robert Armstrong, who were the stars of the picture."
In 1976, a new version of King Kong was being made. Nigro got a lot of attention from the media. He was called "the man who was known for 25 years as the Hollywood Apeman." Journalist Bob Greene wrote about Nigro's supposed roles in the original King Kong and other movies.
Nigro said that a special animated doll was used for most of the gorilla scenes. But he claimed he was the one who acted like a real gorilla. He said, "It was me on top of the Empire State Building, for example."
Nigro also claimed King Kong was not the only gorilla he played. He said he spent $3,500 to have his gorilla suit made from six bear skins. He earned $7,000 for King Kong. He also claimed to have played gorillas in about 25 or 30 movies. These included Mighty Joe Young, Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan and His Mate, and Ape Man. He said he made about 133 movies in total as a stuntman.
Nigro mentioned other people who wanted the gorilla part. He said Charles Gemora was not good at acting like a gorilla. He also mentioned Emil Van Horn. But Nigro claimed he got the role because he had a better costume. He also said he knew how to act like a gorilla better. He claimed he had traveled to Africa with Frank Buck, a famous animal hunter. This, he said, taught him how an ape walked.
About Carmen Nigro's Life
In newspaper interviews, Nigro said he worked as a rodeo cowboy when he was young. Records show that he worked as a chef on dining cars for the Santa Fe Railway. He did this for 32 years and retired in 1970. After that, he worked as a security guard for an insurance company in Chicago.
In 1983, it was reported that he got rid of his gorilla suit. This was because it had grown mildew, and his wife Evelyn was allergic to it. However, an obituary in 1990 stated that Nigro had given the head of the costume to a nephew. During his retirement, he also visited schools and Boy Scout meetings. He would talk to them about his supposed role in King Kong.
Death
Carmen Nigro died in Speedway, Indiana, on September 24, 1990. He was 84 years old.
