Joe Greenstein
Joe Greenstein | |
---|---|
strongman | |
Spouse | Leah Greenstein |
Children | 10, including Mike Greenstein |
Joseph L. Greenstein (January 2, 1893 – October 8, 1977), better known as The Mighty Atom, was a 20th-century
Life and career
Early life
Greenstein was born to a
Career
He began his career as a wrestler. However, due in part to rising
He was featured five times in
Later in life, Greenstein sold
Greenstein continued performing his strongman feats well into his eighties, giving his last performance at his great-grandchild's first birthday on May 11, 1977, at Madison Square Garden at the age of 84. He dazzled the audience by bending horseshoes and driving spikes through metal with the palm of his hand.
Personal life and death
Joe and Leah Greenstein had ten children.
Greenstein succumbed to cancer on October 8, 1977, at age 84.
Legacy
The story of his life has been told by Ed Spielman in the book The Mighty Atom and the documentary film "The Mighty Atom".[6] He may be the inspiration for the fictional character of Al Pratt, a costumed crime-fighter who went by the alias of The Atom.[7] Joe Greenstein's life and career are also the subject of the 2017 documentary The Mighty Atom.[8]
Joe's 93-year-old son Mike Greenstein appeared on America's Got Talent in 2014 and successfully pulled a 3,500-pound (1,600 kg) car with his teeth.[8][9]
References
- ^ Harvin, Al (1974-06-02). "Martial Artists Hold Exhibition Today". The New York Times. p. 1.
- ^ "Bullet Flattened Out Against His Forehead". Houston Daily Post. 1914-10-13. p. 8 – via texashistory.unt.edu.
- ^ Boff, Victor (1962), "The Mighty Atom: His Philosophy of Health", Natural Strength
- ISSN 0028-7369.
- ISBN 978-0-8069-0014-8.
- ISBN 978-1-885440-30-3.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (May 15, 2019). "The Real Life Inspiration for the Golden Age Atom?". Comic Book Resources.
- ^ a b Schleier, Curt (November 23, 2017). "'The Mighty Atom'". Jewish Standard.
- ^ America's Got Talent. Green Bay, Wisconsin. Event occurs at 1:03. NBC. WGBA-TV.