Sunday, January 10, 2016

Biography of Charlie Rivel, by Cristina Calduch


Charlie Rivel was one of the most worldwide known clowns. He took his artistic  name in homage to Charlie Chaplin.

Josep Andreu i Lasserre (that was his real name) was born in Cubelles on April 24, 1986 and died in Sant Pere de Ribes on July 26, 1983.
All his family members were also circus performers. He debuted at the age of just three years old and he was part of the group LOS RIVELS with his brothers.

In 1941, when World War II began, Charlie Rivel was in Berlin and went to Denmark, but when the Nazis occupied the country forced him to return to fulfill their contracts. Then it was a recognized and famous clown. German people loved him, and his success was absolutely spectacular. Three sessions filled daily L'Scala Varietés. Afterwards, Charlie asked for help to return to Spain. From 1954, he became one of the stars of the Circo Price. In 1971 he appeared in the film Clowns directed by Federico Fellini.

Please keep in mind his funny image wearing a long shirt, his curly red wig, his guitar and a chair. There is a museum dedicated to him in Cubelles and also a park in Vigo.

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