Marcel Marceau is a world famous genre actor. Creativity and personal life of the artist

Marcel Marceau (Manzhel) is a French mimic actor, creator of Biep's never-changing stage image, which became the world-famous symbol of France. In 1947, the artist organized the "Commonwealth of Mimes," which lasted until the 1960s. Performances of the troupe were in demand in Paris, performances were arranged on the best theatrical grounds. "The Theater on the Champs Elysees" and "The Theater of Sarah Bernhardt" were sold out when Marcel Marceau and his partners performed. The main character of the actor, white-faced clown Bip, especially fell in love with Parisians. The Commonwealth of Mimes presented a number of performances, including David and Goliath, Death at Dawn, Overcoat, Paris Cries, Paris Laughs, Adolescence and Maturity, Old Age and Death.

Marcel Marceau: Biography

The most famous mime in the world was born on March 22, 1923 in Strasbourg. Marcel was the son of a Jewish married couple who moved to France from Poland after the end of the First World War.

Interest in the art of reincarnation appeared in the young man, when he watched films with Charlie Chaplin. Deciding to become a mimic actor, Marcel Marceau enrolled at the Limoges School of Decorative Arts, then continued his studies at the Sara Bernard Theater with actor Etienne Decroux and director Charles Dullein.

When the Second World War began, Marcel and his family fled from France. Participation in the Resistance has become a real test for a young actor. All his relatives, including his parents, were captured by the Nazis and killed in the concentration camp "Auschwitz."

During the difficult war years, the actor managed to organize a small artistic brigade, which performed at the fronts. After the liberation of Paris in the summer of 1944, the artists gave their first large-scale concert in honor of the end of hostilities and called the show "Three Thousands of Corpses".

"A clown with a white face ..."

As already mentioned, immediately after the war Marcel Marceau came up with the clown of Bipa, who became his favorite character. A striped sweater, a battered hat, a white face with eyes drawn - the sad image of a clown-loser made millions of people cry and laugh all over the world. The role of Marcel Marceau was determined once and for all.

In 1955-1956, Marcel Marceau made his first touring tour of the US states. His performances made a real sensation - the artist has forever become a welcome guest for the American public. Tours became a way of life for him, he traveled to different countries and gave 300 performances a year. In 1961, the mime first visited the Soviet Union.

Several times Marcel was invited to act in films. He participated in the film project "His name was Robert." This film was shot at the Lenfilm studios in 1967. Then the actor starred in a science-fiction work of French-Italian production in 1968. The film "Barbarella" was called. And finally he played himself in the comic parody "Silent Cinema" directed by Mel Brooks, which was released in 1976. Marcel Marceau, films with whose participation did not make a furor, was no longer filmed. He engaged in other activities.

Two years after the release of the last film, Marcel Marceau organized in Paris a school of pantomime, which exists to this day and is considered a memorial.

Awards

During his life, the clown got a lot of them. The French government has noted the artist several high awards, among which the following medals can be singled out:

• Legion of Honor;
• Order of Merit in Literature and Art;
• The national order "For Merit" of the second degree.

In addition, the artist had many awards and letters.

Famous positions

The famous mime was a member of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. He also received the honorary title of Doctor of Science at the University of Princeton. Then Marceau joined the board of professors of higher education in the US state of Ohio. Became an honorary professor at the University of Michigan. In 2002, Marcel Marceau was appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador.

One of Marceau's reprises, which he called "Going against the wind," was the prototype of the famous "moon walk" of the King of Pop Michael Jackson. In 1996, the artist created the American Pantomime Support Fund.

Personal life

Marcel Marceau was married three times. From his first marriage he has two sons - Michelle and Baptiste. The third wife gave birth to the artist of two daughters: Aurelia and Camilla.

Marceau died on September 23, 2007 at the age of 84 years. He was buried in the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris.