There is a marvelous mystery about the body of Javier Botet, known better for his role in the horror film Mama. Some believe that this is a perfect example of human mutation, while some argue that it is only a genetic disorder. What is the truth behind his amazing body?
A popular Spanish actor, Javier Botet López was born on July 30, 1977, and has become a fan favorite of horror movies. The actor has appeared in some of the most popular scary films with a similar twist to his role – his body is unbelievably flexible.
Among the most popular movies that you have seen his characters are:
- He portrayed Tristana Medeiros in the REC franchise (2007–2009),
- The title character in Mama (2013),
- Set in The Mummy (2017),
- Slender Man in the 2018 film of the same name, and
- Dracula in The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023).
Javier Botet Is Mama – What Makes His Body Twist So Much?
One of the most amazing features of Botet’s body is its flexibility. This arises from what scientists call the Marfan syndrome, a genetic condition that affects connective tissue. Unlike other humans, he can bend his limbs and body in unique, impossible ways.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, “In 2013, a strange and creepy screen test started making the rounds in Hollywood. It showed an extremely tall and very lean figure in a long black wig and white face mask crawling on the floor, contorting freakishly long limbs and fingers in ways human skeletons aren’t supposed to bend. A lot of people thought it was a puppet. Others figured it was CGI. It turned out to be Javier Botet.”
Another marvel is the unusual format and ratio of his limbs and fingers. Although he stands 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall, Botet only weighs 120 pounds with limbs and fingers that are disproportionately long.
In a 2013 report posted by The Wall Street Journal, Javier Botet seems to have a rather normal condition than you may believe. The WSJ wrote that “Botet has Marfan syndrome, which affects…Roughly one in 5,000 people live with the genetic condition and its characteristics that typically include a tall, thin frame, curved spine, extreme nearsightedness, hyper-mobile joints.”
What Is Mutation and How Does it Affect Humans?
Not everyone believes that Javier Botet and the millions of others like him, suffer from a syndrome. Many scientist argues that this is evidence of human genetic mutation. Quoting the Cambridge Dictionary, a mutant is an organism that is different from others of its type because of a permanent change in its genes.
Impressive strength, muscle tissue growth, unique eye colors, super speed, and more, are all different types of human mutation.
A blog post by the Cleveland Clinic has given one of the simplest ways to understand what happens during genetic mutation. This may also help us to understand how Botet’s body may behave completely differently than most humans.
Genetic mutations occur during cell division. When your cells divide, they hand-write your body’s instruction manual by copying the original document word for word. There’s a lot of room for error during cell division because your cells might substitute (replace), delete (remove) or insert (add) letters while they’re copying. The Cleveland Clinic
When asked by the Horror DNA about his behavior on different sets, Botet explained that it was hard but pretty normal.
“No, the reason I’m trying to improve in my free time with my English is because I’m a guy easy to stay with. I love to joke, to do crazy things and enjoy the shooting. But, until this moment it was hard. Now I’m very much better than one year ago. So, when I’m working with somebody who speaks Spanish, it helps me very much to feel comfortable and to express a side of me, to express myself.
“So, when I am working in Mama, I’m working with Andy Muschietti ([who was] born in Argentina), and he speaks Spanish native. That made everything more comfortable, and it was with Barbara [Muschietti], his sister the producer, we have a very good experience. And even the producer, Guillermo del Toro, speaks Spanish too, so that was very special.”
How Has the Marfan Syndrome Affected the Life of Javier Botet?
At the early age of six, Javier Botet was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome resulting in long, slender limbs and double joints. However, this was no hindrance for the young aspiring artist who dreamt of playing the role of monsters in movies one day. He painted pictures of aliens frequently saying he “grew fond of them”.
“My body is different, very peculiar. When I was a child, I would stand in front of the mirror and fold my arms and legs to make unusual shapes. I’d move my elbows or fingers and think it was amazing. I was always playing with that.”
Amazingly, Botet learned to live with his syndrome or mutation and has become one of the most popular household names in horror films. Unfortunately, the National Library of Medicine has reported a lower quality of life as one of the common impacts of this syndrome. In some cases, many clients reported short-sightedness and intense muscular or bone pain.
However, similar to Botet, some of the most popular figures of history were also diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. These people found ways to convert their uniqueness into power. The Hartford Health Care noted that “Abraham Lincoln is the most famous American who had Marfan syndrome. So did Julius Caesar and Tutankhamun.
“In more recent times, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, basketball prospect Isaiah Austin and, perhaps, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had Marfan syndrome.”
Javier Botet married Penelope Cruz in 2010 with whom he has two children.
