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September 23, 2007

Mime Artist Marcel Marceau Dies at 84
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1999F57:A6F02AD83191E160DFE69DE223E599A09574F7DCC14957C0 Marcel Marceau
revived art of silence and brought poetry and universality to
pantomime



(File photo - 04 Dec 1995)  " hspace=2
src="/english/images/AP_Michael_Jackson_right_French_mime_artist_Marcel_Marceau_4dec1995_eng_195.jpg"
width=210 vspace=2 border=0>

Entertainer Michael Jackson, right, poses with French mime artist
Marcel Marceau at the Beacon Theatre in New York City(File photo - 04
Dec 1995) 

Legendary French mime artist Marcel Marceau has died at the age of
84.  Known throughout the world for his humor and pathos as the stage
character Bip, Marceau was a tireless performer who inspired many
other artists.  From Paris, Lisa Bryant has more on his remarkable
career.

With his white face and top hat, Marceau brought audiences to tears -
and to laughter - without ever saying a word.  As his stage character
Bip, he ran a wartime matrimonial service, chased butterflies, and
flirted at parties.  He was a tireless performer, who continued
performing well into old age.

Marceau talked about his art and about Bip, during an earlier
interview with France Inter radio.

Once he painted on his white face, Marceau said, he stopped being
Marcel Marceau, and became the symbol of all men.  He said, "I do not
hide behind Bip.  There is Marcel Marceau and there is Bip".  He said
it was good fortune to translate dreams and aspirations through
gestures and be able to identify with the audience.

Marceau was born in the eastern French town of Strasbourg, in 1923. 
He was a Jew who survived Nazi-occupied France - although his father
was killed by German troops.  Marcel joined the French resistance,
altering the identity cards of Jewish children to trick the German
military into thinking they were too young to be deported to
concentration camps.

After World War II,  he began studying acting.  In 1948, he formed his
own mime company.  In the 1950s, Marceau finally hit international
stardom after a successful tour in the United States.  His inspiration
was film comedian Charlie Chaplin - and the French mime, in turn,
influenced many other artists, including American pop star Michael
Jackson.

Tributes to Marceau poured in Sunday.  French Prime Minister Francois
Fillion said the mime would be missed by his pupils - and by the
entire performance world. 






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