Melvin Burkhart

Melvin Burkhart (1907–2001) was a sideshow performer known as the Human Blockhead for driving a large steel spike up his nose with a hammer.

[1] Clarence Melvin Burkhart was born in Atlanta on February 16, 1907, and grew up in several places throughout the southern US, principally New Orleans.

He dropped out of school in his early teens and moved to Louisville, Kentucky where he worked as a field hand by day and in burlesque halls by night.

He stayed with the Straits Shows for over 30 years before moving to Coney Island USA’s Sideshow by the Seashore where he finished his career.

[3][4][5][6] Burkhart performed a variety of acts, including a human blockhead routine, magic tricks, an electric chair illusion, and a snake-wrestling show.