Oleg Popov
Oleg Konstantinovich Popov (born 31 July 1930)
is a famous Soviet and Russian clown and circus artist. Popov is
also called the "Sunshine clown".
He was born on 31 July 1930 in Moscow, the son
of a clock-maker. He studied elements of acrobatics, juggling, and
other circus skills in his youth. In 1949, he graduated from the
Russian circus school in Moscow and started his career in the
Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. Six years later, he became the
first clown from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to perform
in the Western world. In 1969, he was honored with the title of
People's Artist of the USSR. Popov's fame extended to Melbourne,
Australia, where he was named King of Moomba (1971).
Popov has performed as a clown, a mime, a
tightrope walker, and a juggler. At the 8th International Circus
Festival of Monte-Carlo in 1981, he won the "Oscar of the clown
world": the Golden Clown award. His role as a clown follows the
tradition of the Russian "Ivanushka," who fools other people and
who is teased himself.
Later he specialized in entertaining people as
The Sunshine Clown, performing his art world wide and without any
other circus requisite. His face painting is unique, and
patented.
He was one of the most popular clowns in the
Soviet Union during the second half of the 20th century. His idols
include Charlie Chaplin and Heinz Ruhmann, a German actor.
In 2006, Popov was invited to perform at the 30th anniversary of
the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo; at 75 years of
age, he still managed to inspire a standing ovation.
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