Photos by SCOTT GULLEDGE / Scroll
Mega-savant Kim Peek, the man who inspired the movie the Rain Man, hugs Nate Fisher, a junior from Saint George, Utah.

Man who inspired the movie ‘Rain Man’ visits BYU-Idaho

Jody Lane LAN02013@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Mega-savant Kim Peek, the inspiration for the character of autistic-savant Raymond Babbitt in the 1988 film, Rain Man, visited BYU-Idaho April 6.

Kim and his father, Fran, spoke to hundreds of students during a forum hosted by the College of Education and Human Development.

Like the character of Raymond Babbitt, Kim is a mentally handicapped scholar. He has the ability to recall not only names and dates of historical figures, but he has also memorized maps and area codes of the entire United States and Canada.

During the forum, Kim went through the audience answering questions about current events, world history and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among other things.

Some members of the audience would tell Kim their date of birth and he would tell them the day of the week they were born as well as the day of the week and year they would retire at age 65 — all from memory.

“I thought it was just make believe,” said Shiloh Nyce, a junior from Taber, Alberta. “I didn’t think anyone like that really existed.”

Kim and Fran are LDS and attend the Murray 23rd Ward, Murray Utah Stake.

The Peeks travel all over the world. They have spoken to over 2 million people about showing respect to those who are different.

“Learning to recognize and to respect differences in others and treating them like you would want them to treat you, will bring the peace and joy we all hope for,” Kim said.