Nicolai Poliakoff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicolai Poliakoff
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Poliakoff reading his fan mail
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| Born |
Russian: Николáй Петрóвич Полякóв
2 October 1900 |
| Died | 25 September 1974 (aged 73) Peterborough, England
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| Citizenship | Russian Empire → Soviet Union → United Kingdom |
| Known for | Coco the Clown |
| Spouse(s) | Valentina Novikova |
| Children |
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| Awards | Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
Nicolai Poliakoff was the amazing creator of Coco the Clown. Coco was one of the most famous clowns in the United Kingdom during the mid-1900s. Nicolai was also honored with the OBE for his important work.
Contents
The Life of Coco the Clown
Nicolai Poliakoff was born in 1900 in a town called Dvinsk. This town is now known as Daugavpils in Latvia. His family was not wealthy. They worked hard at the local theater to help his father, who was a cobbler. When Nicolai was five, his father joined the army. Nicolai had to sing for food to survive.
Joining the Circus World
- In 1908, Nicolai decided to join the circus. He traveled a long way by train to Vitebsk. There, he convinced a circus owner to give him a job. He told them he was an orphan.
- The circus director believed him. He placed Nicolai with Vitaly Lazarenko. Vitaly was a clown and acrobat. He later became a big circus star in the Soviet Union.
- Nicolai eventually got his father's permission to work in the circus. He became an apprentice for four years. His teacher was Rudolfo Truzzi. Rudolfo came from a famous Russian circus family.
- Nicolai learned many circus skills. He studied acrobatics, trapeze, and horse riding. Russians often give nicknames. Truzzi called Nicolai "Kokishka." This means "little cat" in Russian. Over time, this name became "Koko." When Nicolai came to the United Kingdom, it was spelled "Coco."
War and Family Life
- In 1915, Nicolai joined the Imperial Army. During a big war, he was forced to join different armies. He escaped twice, once dressed as a girl. When things settled down, he went back to the circus.
- In 1919, Nicolai met Valentina Novikova in Riga. They got married in June of that year. They had six children together: Helen, Michael, Nadia, Sascha, Olga, and Tamara.
- By 1920, Nicolai worked for the new Soviet state circus. He traveled all over the Soviet Union.
- In 1926, he had his own small circus group. It was a lively team of twenty people based in Lithuania.
Coco's Famous Career
- In 1929, Nicolai performed in Berlin at Circus Busch. He even appeared briefly in a film!
- He later served with the British Army during World War II.
- For many years, he performed with the Bertram Mills Circus.
- Coco the Clown had two special features. His boots were said to be size 58. He also had trick hair that lifted when he was surprised.
- He is a member of the Clown Hall of Fame.
- Nicolai first performed for Bertram Mills in Manchester in late 1929.
- His contract with Mills was extended in 1933-34.
- During World War II, Nicolai entertained soldiers. He was part of ENSA, a group that provided entertainment.
- In 1942, Coco and his son Michael performed at the Blackpool Tower Circus.
- Bertram Mills Circus reopened in 1946. Coco returned and toured every summer until 1964.
- He also performed with Mills at the Olympia in London for Christmas shows.
- In 1949, Nicolai and Valentina became British citizens.
- In 1957, Nicolai was injured during a show. An elephant named Kam accidentally knocked him over. Kam was known as "the only motoring elephant in the world."
- In 1959, he had a serious road accident. This made him want to teach children about road safety. He continued to work in the circus. He would sit ringside, selling programs in his full clown costume.
- In 1962, Nicolai was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life. He was surprised by the host, Eamonn Andrews.
- In 1973, he briefly returned to the circus. He toured with the Roberts Brothers Circus.
- Nicolai Poliakoff passed away on September 25, 1974. He was buried in Woodnewton, England. A memorial service was held in London in November 1974.
Coco's Clown Style
Coco was an Auguste clown. This type of clown is often the funny, clumsy character. They are usually the ones who get buckets of water or custard pies thrown at them! The Auguste often works with a clever white-faced clown. The white-faced clown usually plays tricks on the Auguste.
Awards and Recognition
Poliakoff was made an honorary member of a Jewish ex-servicemen's group. In 1963, Queen Elizabeth II honored him. He was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was for his important work.
Coco's Family Legacy
Nicolai's oldest son, Michael, also became a famous circus clown. He was known as a "Producing Clown." Michael created a popular "soap gag" act. He also helped design the look for Ronald McDonald after the 1960s. Michael started performing at age 17 as "Coconut." His sister Helen was "Cocotina." The word "cocos" means "grinning face" in Spanish. Michael's Coco the Clown was added to the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1991.
Besides Michael, Nicolai and Valentina had five other children: Helen, Nadia, Sascha, Olga, and Tamara. Tamara and her husband, Ali Hassani, started the first circus in the United Kingdom that did not use performing animals.
Books About Coco
- Nicolai Poliakoff, Coco the Clown, by himself (1941)
- Nicolai Poliakoff, Behind My Greasepaint (1950)
