Looking for something seriously strange? Say hello to Hoss—the world’s largest ball of human hair! This fuzzy, funky, record-breaking creation weighs an unbelievable 225.13 pounds. Believe It or Not!, it all started with a simple haircut.
How Hoss the Hairball Was Born
Hoss was created by Steve Warden, a hair stylist from Cambridge, Ohio, who runs a salon called Blockers. Steve was struck one day with a weird but wonderful idea:
“I’m going to build a giant hairball.”
So, he started collecting hair from his salon, even building a chute to send clippings down to the basement. He shaped the hair with gloves and glue, turning it into a ball. The first version was only the size of a baseball—but it didn’t stay small for long!
From Hair Salon to Hairball Legend
Over time, the hairball kept growing—and by 2018, Warden reached out to Ripley’s to see if his strange human hair creation could make it into the book.
We here at Ripley’s, of course, said yes. But Hoss’ journey was far from over.
In 2018, the massive human hairball made its debut at the Ripley’s booth during the Orlando Comic Con, where guests were invited to contribute a strand of their own hair to the ever-growing oddity.
The interactive display was a hit—and as Hoss hit the road, the tradition of hair donations followed, making the ball bigger with every stop.
Shave the Beard and Make It Weird!
In 2021, Ripley’s hosted the Shave the Beard and Make It Weird! campaign at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions annual conference.
Guests donated hair to Hoss live at the show and Ripley's Believe It or Not! President Jim Pattison Jr. even shaved his pandemic beard during the expo and added it to Hoss.
Hoss Breaks a World Record
On December 13, 2021, at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando, Hoss officially became the largest ball of human hair in the world, certified by Guinness World Records.
Hoss officially hit the record-breaking weight of 225.13 lbs!
Seeing is Believing
Hoss is currently hanging out at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Ocean City.
Ready to see the unbelievable in person? From giant hairballs to shrunken heads, explore the strange, the shocking, and the downright weird at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Plan your visit today!