Marceau, << mahr SOH, >> Marcel (1923-2007), became the best-known mime artist of the 1900’s. Marceau gained fame for his performances as Bip, a white-faced clown who wore a striped jersey and a battered top hat with a rose. Marceau was also a leading teacher of mime.
Marceau was born on March 23, 1923, in Strasbourg, France. His real name was Marcel Mangel. He first became fascinated by mime at age 5, when he watched motion pictures starring the silent comedian Charlie Chaplin. In 1946, Marceau enrolled in the School of Dramatic Art of the Sarah Bernhardt Theatre in Paris where he studied with actor and director Charles Dullin. He also studied mime under the great French actor and mime Etienne Decroux.
Marceau first performed as Bip in 1947. He made his first international tour that same year. In 1948, he organized the Company of Mime of Marcel Marceau, which he directed until 1960. He established the School of Mime of Paris in 1978. Marceau created about 100 pantomimes, many of which have been made into short films. He also appeared in motion pictures, on television, and on tours around the world. Marceau died on Sept. 22, 2007.
