Zach Strenkert made a memorable appearance on The Jerry Springer Show when I was just a year old—and I’d bet some of you reading this weren’t even born yet.

Back in 1996, Zach’s parents brought the 70-pound infant onto the infamous talk show, instantly making him a topic of conversation across the country. Despite the show airing long before social media, clips of his appearance have recently gone viral, capturing the curiosity of a new generation online.

However, many viewers today don’t realize that Zach, now 29 years old, was living with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome (SGBS), a rare genetic disorder. The condition caused him to gain weight rapidly—about 2.5 pounds every two weeks—and grow an inch in height during the same period, leading him to reach a reported 70 pounds by just 17 months old.

The newly released Netflix documentary Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action offers audiences a clearer look at just how unusual the show could be. Zach shared that growing up with SGBS while appearing on talk shows like Oprah and Inside Edition made him feel like a “circus act,” especially while living in Port Jervis, New York.

“They presented me as different, which only set me further apart from everyone else,” he told The Mirror. “I became known as the TV kid.”

Many assume that his mother pushed him into the spotlight for fame or money, but Zach clarified, “Nowadays, people ask me what it was like. They think my mom was chasing fame, but that wasn’t the case at all. Our goal was simply to get help from geneticists, which was very difficult to access through our insurance at the time.”

Zach explained that the family’s appearances on these shows were meant to raise awareness about life with SGBS. “We didn’t actually make much money from any of it. It was strictly about ensuring that my health and well-being were managed properly,” he said.

Commenting on the Netflix documentary, Zach admitted, “It’s essentially just a repackage of what’s already out there. Nothing new was revealed—it’s the same story, just with extra production flair.”

Now focusing on his health, Zach, who once weighed 485 pounds, is dedicated to improving his physical well-being and living a healthier life.

For context, The Jerry Springer Show ran for an impressive 27 years, with Jerry Springer hosting from 1991 until 2018. The beloved television personality passed away in 2023 at his Chicago home.

“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried—whether in politics, broadcasting, or simply chatting with someone on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” family spokesperson Jene Galvin said at the time, confirming that Springer had died of pancreatic cancer. “He’s irreplaceable, and his loss is deeply felt. Yet, the memories of his intellect, his heart, and his humor will continue to live on.”

Zach’s story, along with Springer’s legacy, continues to captivate audiences, reminding viewers of the unusual and sometimes challenging lives behind television fame—and the importance of understanding the people behind the headlines.