Famous Performers With Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
- Clyde Beatty first joined out in 1921, with Howes Great London Circus, as a cageboy and assistant trainer to the legendary Louis Roth. When he joined Hagenbeck-Wallace, he learned more from star trainer Peter Taylor. When stricken with a neck injury in 1925, Taylor could not continue his major lion-and-tiger act, and Clyde Beatty took it over at once. With his exciting performing style, he became such a sensation the public filled the tent even during the Depression. He starred with Hagenbeck-Wallace until 1934, when a dispute with Ringling management caused him to sign with a new circus, titled Cole Bros. and Clyde Beatty Circus.
- Joe Skelton, the father of Red Skelton, once worked as a clown in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. Red himself performed with the same circus as a teenager before entering vaudeville.
- Emmett Kelly got his start as "Weary Willie" during the Great Depression with Hagenbeck-Wallace before moving on to other circuses.
- In 1937, cowboy, rodeo performer, and movie actor Hoot Gibson performed with the circus.
Read more about this topic: Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
Famous quotes containing the words famous, performers and/or circus:
“To seduce a woman famous for strict morals, religious fervour and the happiness of her marriage: what could possibly be more prestigious?”
—Christopher Hampton (b. 1946)
“... we performers are monsters. We are a totally different, far-out race of people. I totally and completely admit, with no qualms at all, my egomania, my selfishness, coupled with a really magnificent voice.”
—Leontyne Price (b. 1927)
“The way to go to the circus, however, is with someone who has seen perhaps one theatrical performance before in his life and that in the High School hall.... The scales of sophistication are struck from your eyes and you see in the circus a gathering of men and women who are able to do things as a matter of course which you couldn’t do if your life depended on it.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)