BEHIND THE SCREAMS

Meet the actor whose rare genetic condition makes him so lanky and bendy he’s perfect for horror roles like Slenderman

MEET the lanky actor with a rare genetic condition that has landed him roles in Hollywood's top horror flicks.

Long-limbed Javier Botet has been the baddie in a host of horrors from Slender Man and It to The Walking Dead and Insidious.

Advertisement
Javier Botet, 41, has a rare genetic condition that made him grow a staggering six foot, six inches and gave him remarkable flexibilityCredit: jbotet/Instagram
He has landed roles playing Slender Man thanks to his extraordinary physiqueCredit: Alamy
Javier, in costume as a leper, poses for a pic with one of the stars of It behind the scenesCredit: jbotet/Instagram

Spaniard Javier, 41, was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome at the age of six.

It led him to grow to an staggering six feet, six inches while weighing just 120 pounds (54 kilos).

But thanks to the rare childhood condition, Javier does not need computer effects to bring nightmarish monsters to life on the big screen.

The bendy actor has since carved out an impressive career in Hollywood as make-up artists flock to transform him into terrifying creatures.

Advertisement

He played the infamous Xenomorph alien in Alien: Covenant, Crooked Man in The Conjuring 2, Keyface in Insidious: The Last Key, as well as Slender Man and Mama.

HORROR STORY

Sci Fi fanatic Javier was also one of the terrifying creatures in last year's It movie and a zombie in The Walking Dead.

Other key career moments include roles in The Mummy, The Revenant and most recently as an un-dead soldier stalking Arya Stark in the latest season of Game of Thrones.

Not only has Marfan Syndrome granted him a freakishly tall physique, but it also affects his fingers.

Advertisement

They are far longer than average and have the ability to contort and twist in unusual ways - making them perfect for posters and creepy movie moments.

Javier believes his diagnosis has proven a "gift" and helped boost his career when he was an aspiring actor.

CAREER IN FEAR

He had since racked up an impressive 35,400 following on Instagram and is considered a household name for horror productions.

His page features dozens of photos and videos of him larking around in monster costumes and make-up.

Advertisement

In some snaps he poses up with cast members including the cheeky kids from It.

most read in sun men

AERO TO ZERO
Chocolate bars ranked from worst to best - which one will come out on top?
DOMINO'S EFFECT
UK Fast food ranked from worst to best - let the debate begin
SHORT LIST
The famous men who are shorter than you think from Sly Stallone to Mark Wahlberg
MUSCLE CARS
Inside The Rock's insane car collection - and he only properly fits in ONE

Javier spent his childhood in a small city in north of Madrid, where he developed a passion for science fiction and the supernatural.

He told the : "I have a disease called Marfan Syndrome. It makes people skinnier, taller, and very flexible.

"So I was all of my life my flexible, all my life doing weird tricks and things to enjoy with my friends [using] very creepy movement."

Advertisement
The lanky lad holds up Slender Man masks in the costume departmentCredit: jbotet/Instagram
Javier on The Walking Dead set while playing a zombieCredit: jbotet/Instagram
The Sci-Fi fan has brought to life a host of creepy creatures over the yearsCredit: jbotet/Instagram
Javier crept on movie screens as the terrifying Crooked Man in The Conjuring 2Credit: jbotet/Instagram
Advertisement
He also played the Xenomorph in the lasted instalment of the Alien franchise, Alien: CovenantCredit: jbotet/Instagram
With lanky limbs and long fingers he has managed to fashion an incredible Hollywood careerCredit: Alamy
The Spanish actor is one of the most sought after horror names in the industryCredit: Rex Features
Javier hides under a bed as the spine-chilling monster in MamaCredit: Alamy
Advertisement


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


 

machibet777.com