Bill Ballantine

Article Abstract:

Clown, artist and writer Bill Ballantine developed a strong interest in clowns from an early age. His parents and his brother died before he left school, and he had to work full-time to pay off the family mortgage. He trained at art school, and then joined the art staff of a local newspaper. He was unable to serve during the second world war for medical reasons, but after Pearl Harbor spent two years abroad as a propaganda artist for the US Office of War Information. In 1947, he became the 57th member of the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey's 'Continentally Celebrated Congress of Clowns.'

United States, Ballantine, William Oliver

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Pio Nock

Article Abstract:

Clown and high-wire performer Pius 'Pio' Nock was born into the sixth generation of a circus family and began training as soon as he could walk. He performed in his parents' own travelling show, Arena Pius Nock, and later moved to the Circus Pilatus. He became a full-time clown in 1948, creating a classical slapstick and musical clowning act. He worked in Germany with the Circus Paula Busch in the 1960s, and subsequently joined the Circus Franz Althoff.

Nock, Pius

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Yuri Nikulin

Article Abstract:

Clown and actor Yuri Nikulin studied to be a clown at the Moscow State Circus school. He joined the Moscow State Circus in 1950, and began working with Mikhail Shuidin, with whom he revived the popular comic characters Pat and Patashon. He had a number of film roles, and was also permitted to tour abroad with the circus. He eventually became director of the circus, and held that position until his death.

Nikulin, Yuri

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