It is rumored that he was the inspiration for the design of the SHREK character.
Born in 1903, Tillet is said to have been called “angel” by his boyhood friends because of his blonde hair and angelic face. At the age of 17, however, doctors diagnosed Tillet with a hormonal disorder causes increased bone growth including in the hands, feet, and face.
Despite the uncanny physical similarities between Tillet and Shrek, DreamWorks, the studio which released the film has never officially addressed the long-standing rumor that Tillet’s appearance served as the basis for the animated character.
