[2][3] Since childhood, he had been treated for celiac disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder that limited his height to 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m), and required him to take dozens of pills and undergo dialysis daily.

A photo lab reported the image as possible child pornography, but the investigation was closed less than a day later when Calleja verified his age to be 23.

[9] Calleja also appeared on television, including a guest role with Kid Rock on the animated series The Simpsons, on the season 11 episode "Kill the Alligator and Run".

Calleja was a World Wrestling Federation fan and made various references to the WWF stable D-Generation X during concerts.

On November 16, 2000, Calleja died in his sleep at his parents' home in Taylor, Michigan, from complications from celiac disease.

[6] Kid Rock released a statement on Calleja's death: "Family and friends are everything; without them, all of the fame and fortune means nothing.