The Enigma

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The Enigma, born Paul Lawrence, is a sideshow performer, actor and musician, who has undergone extensive body modification, including horn implants, ear reshaping, multiple body piercings, and a full-body jigsaw-puzzle tattoo to make him a member of the freak subculture. His tattooing process began on December 20, 1992, under the needle of "Katzen the Tiger Lady," heavily tattooed herself, whom he later married. To date, The Enigma has had more than two hundred tattoo artists work on him, with as many as twenty-three at one time.

Biography

The Enigma was raised in Seattle, and began studying music when he was six years old. In 1991, he was a founding member of the Jim Rose Circus, which he toured with until he left the show in 1998.

The Enigma then toured with Katzen, playing music and doing sideshow performances under the moniker "Human Marvels." The Enigma and Katzen bore one child, a daughter, before they were divorced. Their daughter now resides with Katzen's mother.

Television Appearances

The Enigma appeared on the television show "The X-Files" in an episode entitled "Humbug," where he played a character called "The Conundrum." In 2005, the Enigma would appear in toy form, as "The Conundrum" in Palisades Toys' "X-Files" PALz action figure line. The Enigma is featured in the 2005 documentary film Freaky Circus Guy [See IMDB, NetFlix or http://www.sideshowmovie.com] alongside sideshow performers Katzen, Danielle D'Meux, William Darke. In 2004, The Enigma appeared with Mike Patton, Jane Wiedlin, Karen Black and Katzen, in Steve Balderson's film "Firecracker". The film had a very limited theatrical release but was released on DVD on July 4, 2006. He also appeared on in the "Fountain of Youth" episode.

He has also appeared in the music video of "Fallen Leaves" by Billy Talent as a monster or deformed person at a dinner party and as a "stranger" on the game show "Identity".

His most recent appearance was on The Gong Show with Dave Attell, where he and his assistant played with blindfolds, chainsaws and apples.

The Enigma is often seen at various haunted house attractions in North America. His most recent performance was at Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, Florida.

External links

* [http://www.sideshowmovie.com Freaky Circus Guy, a documentary film (2005)]
* [http://www.theenigmalive.com TheEnigmaLive.com]
* [http://www.electricacidtheatre.com Electric Acid Theatre]
* [http://iam.bmezine.com/?TheEnigma The Enigma on BMEzine]
*imdb name|0857254
* [http://www.prickmag.net/enigmafeature.html Interview in "Prick" magazine]
* [http://www.tattoos.com/enigma.html Interviews with The Enigma and Katzen on tattoo website]
* [http://www.electronicmusic.com/features/interview/enigma.html Enigma Interview with Paul Clark, 1997]