There have been many knife throwers throughout history but finding records of them is very difficult. So we’re happy we’ve been able to find out information about one knifef thrower who made waves in the United states well over 100 years ago! Gustavo Arcaris, better known as “The Great Arcaris”, was discovered by P. T. Barnum in Italy in the late 1880s. Barnum brought him to the US to act as a showman for the Barnum circus. The woman who performed as his assistant was Gustavo’s sister Kate.
Gustavo Arcaris Knife-Thrower
c. 1890
Gustavo Arcaris and his wife were born in Italy. He came from Naples and in 1887 he emigrated with his wife Mary to America, first living in Illinois and then settling in Detroit, Michigan. In 1897 he and his wife were naturalized. According to the 1920 census he was living with his wife Mary and their four children in Detroit. The couple is listed with their three sons, Salvatore, Louis, and George, and one daughter, Virginia – who was still with the circus.
Though he was a performer that had much impact on the impalement artist tradition in America, his personal life beyond that is not known so there is little information on how he spent the rest of his days or the dates of his passing. But impalement artist enthusiasts continue to remember his name.
If you would like to know more please see the related articles below:
Knife Throwing and Impalement Art shows In the United States
