Karandash
Encyclopedia
Mikhail Nikolayevich Rumyantsev (10 December 1901 - 31 March 1983), better known under his stage name
Karandash ( which means pencil), was a famous Soviet clown
.
He was a People's Artist of the USSR
, and was the teacher of the famous Russian clowns Oleg Popov
and Yuri Nikulin
.
, and had two younger siblings, brother Kostya and sister Lena. His mother died when he was six.
Rumyantsev had at least two daughters.
, Mikhail Rumyantsev then abandoned it for, or rather, transformed that part into his would-be renowned image of Karandash always accompanied with his hallmark Scottish Terrier
named Klyaksa (which means blot).
He enjoyed immense popularity with the Soviet audience and often gathered full houses all over the country.
Rumyantsev taught his profession to both Oleg Popov
and Yuri Nikulin
.
During the Second World War, Rumyantsev mimicked German soldiers.
In 1960, he toured South America
with the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
.
Altogether Karandash worked in circus for 55 years and last time appeared on arena just two weeks before his death.
The Moscow Circus School was named after him.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Karandash ( which means pencil), was a famous Soviet clown
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
.
He was a People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR, also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to citizens of the Soviet Union.- Nomenclature and significance :...
, and was the teacher of the famous Russian clowns Oleg Popov
Oleg Popov
Oleg Konstantinovich Popov 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...
and Yuri Nikulin
Yuri Nikulin
Yuri Vladimirovich Nikulin was a well-known Soviet and Russian actor and clown who starred in many popular films.He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1973 and Hero of Socialist Labour in 1990...
.
Family life
Rumyantsev was born in Saint PetersburgSaint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
, and had two younger siblings, brother Kostya and sister Lena. His mother died when he was six.
Rumyantsev had at least two daughters.
Career as clown
Starting his career in the circus arena as the imitator of Charlie ChaplinCharlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
, Mikhail Rumyantsev then abandoned it for, or rather, transformed that part into his would-be renowned image of Karandash always accompanied with his hallmark Scottish Terrier
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier , popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of Terrier that were grouped under the name of Skye Terrier, it is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, the other four being the modern Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and...
named Klyaksa (which means blot).
He enjoyed immense popularity with the Soviet audience and often gathered full houses all over the country.
Rumyantsev taught his profession to both Oleg Popov
Oleg Popov
Oleg Konstantinovich Popov 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...
and Yuri Nikulin
Yuri Nikulin
Yuri Vladimirovich Nikulin was a well-known Soviet and Russian actor and clown who starred in many popular films.He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1973 and Hero of Socialist Labour in 1990...
.
During the Second World War, Rumyantsev mimicked German soldiers.
In 1960, he toured South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
with the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoi Boulevard was the only circus in Moscow between 1926 and 1971 and still remains the most popular one. The circus building was opened on 20 October 1880 as the Solomonsky Circus. Known by a variety of names during the Soviet period, the troupe was awarded the Order of Lenin...
.
Altogether Karandash worked in circus for 55 years and last time appeared on arena just two weeks before his death.
The Moscow Circus School was named after him.