Guinness World Records is full of rather hair-tastic records, but the Gomez family certainly holds the crown.
The Mexican family gained a well-deserved spot among GWR's most iconic titles thanks to their extraordinary condition and genetic rarity, becoming the largest hairy family in the world.
Originally from Mexico, Victor “Larry” Gomez, Gabriel “Danny” Ramos Gomez, Luisa Lilia De Lira Aceves and Jesus Manuel Fajardo Aceves belong to the same family of 19, a close-knit clan that spans five generations.
In a unique case, the four members of the family are affected by an extremely rare genetic condition called congenital generalized hypertrichosis (CGH).
Their condition is characterized by excessive facial and torso hair as its first and most noticeable feature.
According to a 2009 report, “fewer than 100 cases (were) documented in news reports and the scientific literature.”
Hypertrichosis can appear at birth or develop over time - and, in the case of the largest hairy family, it’s a congenital issue that is recognizable at birth.
The Gomez family helped scientists analyse the gene responsible for CGH; as a result, it was discovered that the condition is primarily associated with the X chromosome.
Inheritance of the condition is X-linked, and the parent can pass it on to their children.
The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences reports that the disease "can be associated with mild facial abnormalities (including nasal openings that are tipped upwards and moderate protrusion of the jaw) and occasional teeth anomalies and deafness."
Although the condition in itself is “benign in nature,” as defined by the National Library of Medicine, “there is considerable psychosocial trauma attached to this, owing to the cosmetic disfigurement it produces.”
In the case of the Gomez family, women are covered with a light-to-medium coat of hair, while the men of the family have thick hair on approximately 98% of their bodies, apart from their palms and soles.
Larry (Victor Gomez's stage name, chosen after the protagonist of the 1941 film The Wolf Man) has earned the nickname “Wolf Man” and has often spoken about his life with 98% of his body covered in thick, black hair.
Although his unique appearance certainly didn't make his life easy, Larry has found confidence over the years.
With an inspirational and positive outlook in life and becoming known as a family man with a big heart, Larry has learned to love himself and his condition. His life journey has been marked by both adversity and acceptance and, after years of bullying, working in the Mexican National Circus and starring in movies, Larry has learned to love his appearance.
"Being one of the hairiest guys in the world makes me special, and I’m famous too,” he says.
Larry is a skilled acrobat, trapeze artist and juggler, and has made a name for himself in Hollywood.
He has appeared in the movie success Water for Elephants (alongside Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon) and was also featured on the YouTube channel The Wizard of Odd.
Larry has explained to The Sun that he grooms his tresses once a month, but that his hair always grows back quickly.
“Some people ask me if it’s itchy, and I say no," he said during the interview.
"This is my normal life and I’m used to it.”
Now, Larry lives in San Bernardino, California.
People ask me how do I live with this. And I reply that, you know, I have to live with this… because I have it. - Larry
Thanks to modern medicine, it has been possible to differentiate between the variations of hypertrichosis (which affects both men and women, such as in the case of the Gomez family) and hirsutism.
Unlike the X-linked hypertrichosis, the latter condition only affects women, is caused by hormones and manifests with thick, dark hair on different parts of a woman's body and face.
Today, treatments such as laser hair removal, waxing, and shaving offer relief to those with different kinds of hypertrichosis.
Dermatologists are exploring topical chemical options as well.
Despite the rarity of the condition, a few other notable cases of hypertrichosis have been observed in the past.
Noblemen, performers and artists with the condition have become famous through the centuries thanks to their striking appearance, and their stories continue to inspire wonder to this day.
In the 1800s, women like Mexican actress Julia Pastrana and Minneapolis-born performer Alice Elizabeth Doherty suffered from hypertrichosis, and became famous due to their unique appearance.
During those same years, sideshow artist “Lionel the Lion-Faced Man” (whose real name was Stephan Bibrowski) toured with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.
As early as the 1600s, cases such as the one of Petrus Gonsalvus – a Tenerife-born courtier at the court of Henry II of France – were captured in portraits of the time.
Also known as “the man from the woods,” Petrus’ condition passed on to several of his children.
Especially in the past, the uniqueness of people affected by hypertrichosis was often exploited, disrespected and misunderstood.
As today we celebrate these differences and continue to learn more about hypertrichosis, the Gomez family and its amazing story continue to be an icon in the Guinness World Records annals.
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