Franz Winkelmeier was born to a family of smallholding farmers in Lengau, Upper Austria.

He was promoted by an efficient tailor from Friedburg, and appeared in Lower Austria, Steiermark, Carinthia, Görz, Triest, Fiume, Hungaria and Siebenbürgen.

He performed at the Concordia-Theater in Berlin, Germany from September 1 until November 30, 1885; even the tall soldiers of Emperor Wilhelm I seemed to be dwarves beside him.

After appearing in more German cities, he moved on to the Folies Bergère theater in Paris, France.

There are many mementos of Winkelmeier in the restaurant Zum Riesen in Miltenberg, Germany.