Q & A with
Manuel Diaz
The Wolf Man

1938 - 2003

Manuel Diaz Aceves passed away on November 7, 2003


Q: How did you meet your wife?
Manuel: One day, when I was 21 yrs old, I was leaving for work. I notice a new neighbor at a house hear by. I tried to start a conversation, but she was nervous.
Later that day I came back and introduced myself to her and her older brother. Soon we became friends. Less then a year later I proposed to her. She said, "Yes!"
And I said to her, "You have fallen into the jaws of the Wolf." Be have been married ever since. Together we have fifteen children. Ten are still alive.

Q: Why don't you shave?
Manuel: I tried shaving for a few years. However, when my niece and nephews begun being born with "Hypertrichosis" I felt it was up to me to show them that they should be proud of who they are and the way that God made them.
Q: Is Hypertrichosis a disease?
Manuel: No, it is a condition. Other then the hair we are normal in everyway. Hypertrichosis, according to the doctor who first examine me means, "Excessive hair."
Q: How do people react when they see you walking down the street?
Manuel: Some are curious, some do not believe what they see. Other are scared.
Q: What was it like growing up with "Hypertrichosis?
Manuel: First it was hard on my parents. They did not know why I was born this way.
People made mean remarks to my parents, blaming them for they way I was born.
Some gave bogus suggestion on how to remove the hair. Their suggestions hurt me, especially when a woman told my mom to use a certain cream to remove my hair. The cream burnt my face severely.
Q: What was some of your saddest experiences?
Manuel: A minister came to see me at the circus. He said he was trying to heal me with prayers. When I wasn't healed, he's wife told the circus that I was a "thing of the devil."
This hurt my heart because I am a Christian, and I feel that God made me this way for a reason. As a family we feel that our uniqueness is a gift from God. Some people think is just make-up and make mean remarks in front of me as if could not hear them.
As a child other children would tease me and call me "The Wolf." Often, the children were being urged by their parents. Sometimes, parents tell their children, in front of me, that if they do not behave, "The Werewolf will eat them."
I tell the children not to be afraid. I am not a werewolf, I am a wolfman and I would never hurt anyone. Today I am proud to be a "Wolf Man."
Q: What are the good things that happened?
Manuel: Never in my life I dreamed that would ever be in the United States. Because of this gift I am in the United States. I meet very nice people and I hope to give my wife a better life.
The best things are when children walk up to me and shake my hand. They are the future, grown ups of tomorrow and I want them to see that I am just a man with hair in my face and not a monster, as some grown ups tell them that I am.
Q: Besides being in the circus, what else would you like to do?
Manuel: Well, I would love to work at Disneyland. As a gardener or night watchman.
I would like to be in a movie or T.V. show, not as a freak or an alien from outer space, but as a normal man that happens to look very different. I want to leave a legacy for my grandchildren. I want them to be proud of who they are and of their uniqueness.
Q: What would you like people to know about you?
Manuel: I want people remember that regardless how different a person may appear, they are still human beings inside. I want people to see the heart of a person and not judge the outside appearance. I want parents to teach their children to respect others.
When you see me walking down the street, is okay to look, is okay to say, "hello!"
I like it when parents walk up to me, with their children, and ask if the children can meet me and shake my hand. I always say, "yes."
  • Manuel's Page
  • The Dr. Joy Browne Show
  • Manuel's Favorite Photo
  • The Wolf People