Sunny clown Oleg Popov. Biography

Talented Russian clown Oleg Popov in histime was known not only in the countries of the former USSR, but also beyond. This incredibly gifted artist managed to create a simple, but at the same time very capacious and organic image. The public called him simply "the sun clown." The popularity of the comic was incredible.

This is mainly due to the fact that the clown Oleg Popov, skillfully wielding many genres of circus art, has always been and remains a master of his craft.

Childhood

Surely many are wondering how old Oleg is.Popov (clown). Do it yourself. The future artist was born on July 31, 1930. The father and mother at that time lived in the Moscow region (Vyrubovo village). Oleg was an only child in the family. His father worked at a small watch factory, his mother - in a photo studio. In 1937, Oleg enters the school. But he does not have time to finish the school. In 1943, the father suddenly dies, and the young future artist has to go to work. He is hired as a mechanic apprentice at Pravda publishing house. In parallel with the work, Oleg Popov attends evening school.

Youth

In 1944 he begins to study atgymnastics section of the club "Wings of Soviets". Together with other guys, speaking in an acrobatic ensemble, he takes part in various concerts and sporting events. It was then that the future clown Oleg Popov first learned the stage glory. Noting the outstanding abilities of the young acrobat, the teacher Leonov recommended that he try his hand at the children's group of the circus school. Already a year later he became a student of this institution.

The first years he is engaged exclusively in acrobatics, and then begins to practice walking on a wire.

Sunny clown

In 1950, Oleg Popov successfully graduated from the circuscollege He began his professional career as an equilibrist. A little later, in the Saratov circus, he decides to try himself in the form of a chamber clown. It was this new role that made it possible to maximize the versatility of the talent of the great artist. Sunny clown Oleg Popov appeared in front of the audience in the image of a good-natured, resilient, cheerful boy in wide striped pants, a plaid hat, red socks and disheveled blond hair. In his speeches he used elements of acrobatics, juggling, juggling, parodying. But a special place in his rooms occupied an entre. Among his best reprise can be called such scenes as "Cook", "Ray", "Whistle". In 1952, he decides to marry a violinist with a circus orchestra - Alexandra. After some time, they have a daughter, Olga.

The heyday of creative activity

In 1956, together with the circus troupe, Oleg Konstantinovich makes a tour of the countries of Europe. He visits England, Belgium, France.

It is thanks to the Moscow Circus foreignFor the first time since World War II, viewers saw talented Soviet artists. At home clown Oleg Popov returns to the world famous. After that, he travels to Warsaw, where he participates in the international festival of circus art. The jury praised the work of the Russian artist. He was awarded two gold medals - as an eccentric, protruding on a wire, and as a clown in the arena. Almost every year, Oleg Konstantinovich toured in foreign countries. And everywhere his numbers go to "excellent". During a performance in Belgium, he was awarded a special award marking the best circus artist - "White Elephant". On the fiftieth anniversary of the Soviet circus, in 1969, he received the high title of People's Artist of the Soviet Union. A little later, in Monte Carlo at the international festival he was awarded another honorary prize. They became the highest award, whose name - "Golden Clown." Famous artist celebrates his fiftieth birthday in Moscow. He takes part in the festive circus program dedicated to the Olympics. In 1990, Alexander's wife died from the disease.

Abroad

In 1991 he moved to Holland. There, having signed a contract with the famous impresario Vilém Smith, he works at the Great Russian Circus.

In the same year, September 1, Oleg KonstantinovichMarried with German Gabriela Lehman and moved to permanent residence in Germany. Relatives of the young lady first received the news of the wedding with bayonets. This is not surprising, since Gabriela was thirty-five years younger than her chosen one. However, they soon humbled themselves and blessed the marriage. Happy Hans is the pseudonym under which Oleg Popov (the clown) has appeared since then. Biography of the artist is quite difficult. In Germany, he settles in the Bavarian Alps, where he leads almost a hermit life. With the second wife, he lived together for more than a dozen. Abroad, Oleg Konstantinovich organized his own circus show, where he performs to this day. Not many people know that Popov starred in films. His filmography includes such paintings as "Mama", "Two smiles", "Bunker". For some time in Russia, he also acted as a circus performer.