Charlie Rivel

Charlie Rivel
File:CharlesRivet1943.jpg Charlie Rivel (1943)
Born	Josep Andreu i Lasserre (1896-04-23)April 23, 1896 Cubelles
Died	Sant Pere de Ribes
Occupation	clown

File:Charlie Rivel series - Vienna - ATA 1972.jpg

Charlie Rivel, in Vienna, Austria, in 1972.

Josep Andreu i Lasserre (April 23, 1896 – July 26, 1983), best known as Charlie Rivel, was an internationally known Spanish circus clown. He was born in Cubelles (Barcelona, Spain). His parents Pere Andreu Pausas (Spanish) and Marie-Louise Lasarre (French) were circus artists as well.

He debuted at the age of three and formed the group Los Rivels with his brothers Polo Rivel and René Rivel. He took his artistic first name from Charlie Chaplin whom he encountered first in 1910. Each respected the other. Legend has it that Chaplin later asked him: "Is it you who imitate me or I who imitate you?"

He later discovered his definitive routine, featuring a chair, a guitar and a long jersey.

In 1971, he appeared in Federico Fellini's film Clowns.

The Charlie Rivel Hall in Cubelles is a museum dedicated to him,

There is also a park dedicated to him in Vigo in the province of Pontevedra, Spain.

• CharlieRivel1.JPG

  Monument to Charlie Rivel in Montjuïc, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

• Charlie Rivel Birth Home 1.JPG

  Plaque on Charlie Rivel's birthplace house.

• Charlie Rivel Birth Home 2.JPG

  Charlie Rivel's birthplace house, Cubelles, Catalonia, Spain.

External links

• (Catalan) Charlie Rivel
• (Catalan) CharlieRivel.com
• (Catalan) Charlie Rivel Hall
• Charlie Rivel at Find a Grave
• Charlie Rivel at Circopedia