Oleg Popov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oleg Popov
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Popov performing with the Russian State Circus, Worms, Germany, 28 March 2009
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| Born | 31 July 1930 Vyrubovo, Moscow Oblast, RSFSR, USSR
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| Died | 2 November 2016 (aged 86) Rostov-on-Don, Russia
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| Occupation | Clown, mime, circus artist |
| Years active | 1951–2016 |
| Known for | "The Sunshine Clown" |
| Spouse(s) | Alexandra Popova (1952–90; her death); 1 child Gabriela Popova
(m. 1991) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | People's Artist of the USSR (1969) |
Oleg Konstantinovich Popov (Russian: Олег Константинович Попoв, born July 31, 1930 – died November 2, 2016) was a famous Russian clown and circus performer. He was known as "The Sunshine Clown" because of his bright and cheerful acts. He won many awards, including the important title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1969.
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Early Life and Circus Training
Oleg Popov was born on July 31, 1930. When he was 12, he started working as a helper for a newspaper. Later, he joined the newspaper's sports club.
In 1945, someone suggested he try out for the Moscow State College of Circus and Variety Arts, also known as the "Moscow Circus School." He got in and learned many circus skills like acrobatics and juggling. He finished his training in 1949. His first performance was at the Tbilisi Circus in Georgia. After that, he continued his career at the famous Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard.
Becoming a Star
In 1955, Oleg Popov performed outside his home country for the first time, in Warsaw. The next year, he toured with the Moscow Circus in France, Belgium, and England. People loved his performances, and he quickly became a circus star.
Because he was so popular, the Soviet government used him as a "goodwill ambassador." This meant he traveled to other countries to help create friendly feelings towards the Soviet Union. He performed at the Brussels World Fair in 1958 and was even shown on American television in 1957. He toured the United States with the Moscow Circus in 1963 and 1972. In 1969, he received the high honor of People's Artist of the USSR. He continued to tour all over the world, bringing joy to many people. In Australia, he was even named King of Moomba in 1971.
His Clown Character and Later Years
Oleg Popov was a special kind of clown. He combined different skills like being a mime (acting without words), a tightrope walker, and a juggler. In 1981, he won the Gold Clown award at the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo. This is one of the highest honors a circus performer can receive.
His clown character was inspired by a Russian folk character called "Ivanushka." This character often plays tricks on others and sometimes gets teased himself.
In the early 1990s, after the Soviet Union ended, Oleg Popov started touring with the Moscow Circus in Germany. He eventually moved there and performed a lot in German circus shows and on television. In 1991, he married Gabriela Lehmann, who was also a circus performer.
In 2006, when he was 75 years old, Popov was invited to perform at the 30th anniversary of the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo. The audience gave him a long standing ovation, showing how much they loved his performance.
In 2015, after living in Germany for 28 years, he returned to Russia for the first time. He was welcomed with a huge cheer at a special circus event in Sochi. The Russian Minister of Culture even read a welcoming message from President Vladimir Putin. In December 2015, he returned to Russia again to be a judge on a TV show called "The Blue Bird," which was a competition for young talented performers. He even performed with a young pianist on the show.
Oleg Popov also appeared in four films: Арена Смелых (Ring of Daring, 1953), Ma-ma (1977), The Blue Bird (1976), and Ritzar bez bronya (Poland, 1966). He also wrote a book about his life in 1967, which was translated into many languages. Oleg Popov had a daughter named Olga, born in 1953, from his first marriage to a violinist named Alexandra.
Oleg Popov passed away on November 2, 2016, at the age of 86. He was on tour in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, when he died from a heart attack.
Awards and Honors
Oleg Popov received many important awards and honors throughout his life:
- Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1956)
- People's Artist of the RSFSR (1958)
- People's Artist of the USSR (1969)
- Order of Lenin (1980)
- Three Order of the Red Banner of Labour
- Honorary prize Clown d'or of the International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo (1981)
- Order of Friendship (1994) - for his contributions to Russian culture and strengthening friendships between people.
- Honorary Diploma of the President of the Russian Federation (2010) – for his great work in circus art.
- An asteroid, 278200 Olegpopov, discovered in 2007, was named in his honor.
See also
In Spanish: Oleg Popov para niños
