Charlie Rivel

Josep Andreu i Lasserre, best known as Charlie Rivel, was an internationally known Spanish circus clown. He was born in Cubelles, Spain. His parents Pere Andreu Pausas and Marie-Louise Lasarre, were circus artists as well.

Career

He debuted at the age of three in a group of siblings known as "Los Pepitos". Later he formed the group Trío 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 1970, he appeared in Federico Fellini's film The Clowns. He performed in the interval act for the Eurovision Song Contest 1973 in Luxembourg.

Representation in popular culture

The Charlie Rivel Hall in Cubelles is a museum dedicated to him. A statue designed by Joaquim Ros i Sabaté honors him in the Joan Brossa gardens in Barcelona. There is also a park dedicated to him in Vigo.
Category:1896 births
Category:1983 deaths
Category:Male film actors from Catalonia
Category:Clowns from Catalonia
Category:Spanish clowns