In the early 1950s, he was virtually unknown in his native France (which has a strong mime tradition). Laurel & Hardy were doing a world tour and, while they were playing Paris, someone tipped them off that Marceau was doing incredible mime in an insignificant suburban theatre. They went to see him and, a few days later, instead of doing the second half of their regular show after the interval, Stan introduced Marceau and, more or less, scolded the audience for ignoring such a talent... and then Laurel & Hardy walked offstage and gave the second half of their show to Marceau.
Marcel Marceau was a world-renowned French mime artist. He was born Marcel Mangel on March 22, 1923, in Strasbourg, France. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland. His father, Charles Mangel, was a butcher and his mother, Anne Finkelsztajn, was a housewife. Marcel had two older brothers, Henri and Pierre.
Marcel’s father died when he was four years old and his mother remarried a French Jew named Simon Marceau. Marcel took his stepfather’s last name. Simon Marceau was a strict man and he did not approve of Marcel’s interest in the arts.
In 1940, when Marcel was 17 years old, the Nazis invaded France. Marcel and his family were forced to move into a Jewish ghetto in the city of Limoges. Marcel joined the French Resistance and he helped Jews escape from the ghetto.
In 1944, Marcel was drafted into the French Army. He served in the infantry until the end of the war. After the war, Marcel studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.
Marcel’s career as a mime artist began in 1947 when he joined the company of French mime artist, Jacques Le Coq. Marcel toured Europe and the United States with Le Coq’s company. In 1948, Marcel created his own mime company called “Marceau-Mime.”
Marcel Marceau became famous for his stage show “Bip the Clown.” He performed this show for over 50 years. Marcel also appeared in several films, including “The Silent World” (1956), “Barbarella” (1968), and “The Three Musketeers” (1973).
Marcel Marceau died on September 22, 2007, at the age of 84.
General Info
Full Name
Marcel Marceau
Died
September 22, 2007, Cahors, France
Profession
Mime artist, Actor
Nationality
French
Family
Spouse
Anne Sicco, Huguette Mallette
Children
Michel Marceau, Camille Marceau, Baptiste Marceau, Aurélia Marceau
Parents
Anne Werzberg, Charles Mangel
Siblings
Alain Marceau
Accomplishments
Awards
Primetime Emmy Award for Best Specialty Act - Single Or Group
Movies
Barbarella, Die schöne Lügnerin, Joseph's Gift, Shanks, Kinski Paganini, A Slice of Life, La bague, In the Park, The Islands, Journal masculin, Red Skelton's More Funny Faces, Pantomimes, Elogio della pazzia, We Called Him Robert, It
The people who came back from the [concentration] camps were never able to talk about it. My name is Mangel. I am Jewish. Perhaps that, unconsciously, contributed towards my choice of silence. - on a reason for his interest in the wordless art.
2
Yes, I cried for him. - on his father's death in Auschwitz
3
I have a feeling that I did for mime what (Andres) Segovia did for the guitar, what (Pablo) Casals did for the cello. - Associated Press interview.
4
If you stop at all when you are 70 or 80, you cannot go on. You have to keep working. - 2003 Associated Press interview.
5
Among those kids was maybe an Einstein, a Mozart, somebody who (would have) found a cancer drug. That is why we have a great responsibility. Let us love one another. - on the children killed in Auschwitz.
Marcel Marceau's costumes and belongings have sold for a staggering $700,000 at an auction in Paris, France, almost double the amount anticipated. The auction sale included Marceau's famous top hat, sailor suit, paintings and art objects. Part of the money raised will pay off Marcel's debts left after his death. Many of the objects were acquired by the National Library and the ministry's own heritage fund, where they will be put on display in the National Library.
3
Born to Charles Mangel, a kosher butcher, and his wife Anne Werzberg, he grew up in Strasbourg until World War II.
4
Held honorary doctorates from Ohio State University, Linfield College, Princenton University and Michigian University.
5
New York City declared 18 March the Marcel Marceau Day (1999).
6
His "Walking Against the Wind" routine inspired Michael Jackson's moonwalk.
7
Interred in Père Lachaisse Cemetery in Paris (2007).
8
In the early 1950s, he was virtually unknown in his native France (which has a strong mime tradition). Laurel & Hardy were doing a world tour and, while they were playing Paris, someone tipped them off that Marceau was doing incredible mime in an insignificant suburban theatre. They went to see him and, a few days later, instead of doing the second half of their regular show after the interval, Stan introduced Marceau and, more or less, scolded the audience for ignoring such a talent... and then Laurel & Hardy walked offstage and gave the second half of their show to Marceau.
