 Ebenezer Laughton was born in Rhinebeck, New York, as the son of a farmer, along with his brother Ralph.Raised by an abusive mother, Laughton became a circus escape artist and contortionist, and while working as a carnival performer once helped Iron Man apprehend a fleeing culprit.However, he decided to make his profit in crime and became an accomplished burglar and professional thief while dressed as a scarecrow.