Oleg Popov
Encyclopedia
Oleg Konstantinovich Popov is a famous Soviet
and Russia
n 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).
, 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 patent
ed.
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 Rühmann
, 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.
, 25 May 2006 Part I Part II.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n 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...
and circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
artist. Popov is also called the "Sunshine clown".
He was born on 31 July 1930 in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, 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
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...
. 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
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 :...
. Popov's fame extended to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where he was named King of Moomba
Moomba
Moomba is Australia's largest free community festival and one of the longest running festivals in Australia. Held annually in the city of Melbourne, Australia, Moomba is celebrated during the Labour Day long weekend , and has been celebrated since 1955...
(1971).
Career
Popov has performed as a clownClown
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...
, a mime
Mime artist
A mime artist is someone who uses mime as a theatrical medium or as a performance art, involving miming, or the acting out a story through body motions, without use of speech. In earlier times, in English, such a performer was referred to as a mummer...
, a tightrope walker
Tightrope walking
Tightrope walking is the art of walking along a thin wire or rope, usually at a great height. One or more artists performs in front of an audience or as a publicity stunt...
, and a juggler
Juggling
Juggling is a skill involving moving objects for entertainment or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling, in which the juggler throws objects up to catch and toss up again. This may be one object or many objects, at the same time with one or many hands. Jugglers often refer...
. At the 8th International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo
International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo
The International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo, known as Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo in French, is an annual festival held since 1974 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The festival includes the awarding of the Clown d'Or award as well as awards for other circus skills...
in 1981, he won the Oscar
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
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 patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
ed.
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
Charlie 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...
and Heinz Rühmann
Heinz Rühmann
Heinrich Wilhelm "Heinz" Rühmann was a popular German film actor.-Life and work:Rühmann was born in Essen, Westphalia. His role in the 1930 movie Die Drei von der Tankstelle led him to film stardom. He remained highly popular as a comedic actor throughout the 1930s and early 1940s...
, a German actor.
In 2006, Popov was invited to perform at the 30th anniversary of the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco....
; at 75 years of age, he still managed to inspire a standing ovation.
External links
Article about Popov in Argumenty i FaktyArgumenty i fakty
Argumenty i Fakty is a weekly newspaper based in Moscow and a publishing house in Russia and worldwide. As of 2008, it is owned by Promsvyazbank and the newspaper is edited by Nikolay Zyatkov.- History :...
, 25 May 2006 Part I Part II.