Daniel Browning Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Browning Smith
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Smith in 2006
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| Born | May 8, 1979 Meridian, Mississippi, United States
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| Other names | The Rubberboy |
| Occupation | Actor, contortionist, television host, comedian, sports entertainer, stuntman |
| Years active | 2002–2016 |
Daniel Browning Smith, also known as The Rubberboy, is an amazing American performer. He was born on May 8, 1979. Daniel is a contortionist, which means he can bend his body into incredible shapes. He is also an actor, a television host, a comedian, and a stuntman.
Daniel is known as the most flexible person ever. He holds seven different Guinness World Records for his amazing flexibility. His special ability comes from a genetic condition called hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.
Contents
Early Life of The Rubberboy
Growing Up in Mississippi
Daniel Browning Smith grew up in Meridian, Mississippi, in the United States. He has one sister and one brother. From a very young age, Daniel was fascinated by contortionists. When he was only four years old, he dreamed of becoming the best contortionist in the world.
Discovering His Flexibility
Even as a young child, Daniel started practicing his bending skills. He would jump off his top bunk bed and land in a full straddle split! His family was always amazed by what he could do. As he got older, in his teenage years, Daniel began performing on the streets. He used his unique bending techniques to get people's attention.
Training to Be a Pro
When Daniel turned 18, he joined a group called the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. This was an important step in his journey. After that, he started serious contortion training. He learned from a master teacher named Lu Yi at the San Francisco School of Circus Arts. This training helped him become the incredible performer he is today.
Understanding Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome
Daniel Smith's incredible flexibility comes from a genetic condition. It is called hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, or hEDS for short. This is one of thirteen types of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. People with hEDS often have joints that are extremely mobile. This means their joints can move much further than most people's.
How hEDS Affects the Body
While having very flexible joints can be amazing for a contortionist, it can also cause problems. Joints that are too mobile can sometimes dislocate easily. This means they can pop out of place. Also, people with hEDS might have skin that bruises easily.
Daniel's Experience with hEDS
Many people with hEDS experience a lot of muscle and bone pain. They can also have other health issues. For most of his career as a contortionist, Daniel Smith had only moderate pain. However, as he got older, his condition changed. Eventually, he had to stop performing because of how his hEDS progressed.
Daniel Smith on Screen
Daniel Browning Smith has appeared in many TV shows and movies. He has used his unique skills as an actor and stuntman.
Television Appearances
- CSI: NY as Lukas Neiman
- Carnivàle as Rollo the Rubberboy/Boneless Billy Benson
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Sqweegel
- Monk as Danny Chasen
- Stan Lee's Superhumans as Host
Movie Roles
- 2005 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang as Rubber Boy
- 2008 You Don't Mess with the Zohan as Real Estate Agent
- 2011 Paranormal Activity 3 as stunt
- 2012 Foodfight! as Cheasel T. Weasel (motion capture)
External Links
- Daniel Browning Smith at TV Guide
