Marcel Marceau

1923, France

This mime is best known for his sad-faced clown character, Bip. Marceau has performed frequently with his company in the U.S. since 1955.

"After the Second World War, emerged Marcel Marceau, who was a pupil of Decroux at the Dullin school. He created his own special character, known as 'Bip', who is a familiar sight, with his top hat with the flower sticking out, and his short jacket. Bip was a character similar to Pierrot, a down trodden character, who could sometimes win, but would always end up at the bottom of the ladder.

Influenced by the silent film stars like Chaplin, and Keaton, Marceau was the architect of a totally new style and tradition, the true creator and master of modern mime as we understand it today."