In 1996, audiences of The Jerry Springer Show met 17-month-old Zach Strenkert — a 3-foot-tall baby who weighed an astonishing 70 pounds.
His parents, Laurie and Chris, appeared on the show desperate for answers. Despite Zach’s size, they said he wasn’t a big eater, which only deepened their concern. “That’s one of the most frequently asked questions,” Laurie told Jerry Springer. “And that’s why we’re so worried. Where is the growing coming from?”
Thanks to the show, the family was connected with a geneticist who finally gave them answers. Zach was diagnosed with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome (SGBS), a rare genetic disorder that causes abnormal overgrowth. According to Rare Diseases, individuals with SGBS are often born larger than average and continue to grow rapidly throughout early life. The condition primarily affects males.
Growing up in Port Jervis, New York, Zach became a familiar face on programs like Oprah, Maury, and Inside Edition. While his mother’s goal was to find help and raise awareness, Zach later reflected that the attention came with challenges.
“They presented me as different, which only separated me further from everyone else,” Zach, now 29, told The Mirror. “I was known as the kid who was on TV. People assume my mom was chasing fame or money, but that wasn’t the case. We were just trying to find medical help, which wasn’t easy to access with our insurance.”
Zach explained that his family never profited from their media appearances. “It wasn’t about the money — it was about making sure her kid was okay,” he said.
After the release of the Netflix documentary Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action — which exposed the show’s darker, exploitative side — Zach said he wasn’t surprised. “It’s just a spin on what’s already out there,” he commented. “It didn’t reveal anything new — just the same story dressed up with bells and whistles.”
Today, Zach is focused on his health and self-improvement. Once weighing 485 pounds, he’s now down to around 280 and feels better than ever. His journey has become a message of perseverance and hope.
“If I can do it, anybody can do it,” he told Today. “You just have to move at your own pace. As long as you stay on the path and keep taking those steps, you’ll get there.”
