Marcel Marceau: Master Mime Who Created Bip the Clown Dies at 84

Marcel Marceau was a French mime artist, known worldwide for his character Bip the Clown. Born Marcel Mangel on March 22, 1923, in Strasbourg, France, he studied acting in Paris.

During World War II he joined the French Resistance and helped rescue Jewish children by smuggling them to Switzerland. After the war he founded the Compagnie de Mime Marcel Marceau and made Bip his signature character, a white-faced clown in a battered hat. He performed around the world for more than 50 years.

Marceau was named a Commander of the Legion of Honor. He died in Cahors, France, on September 22, 2007, at age 84. His only spoken word in a film was "Non" in Mel Brooks's Silent Movie (1976).

Achievements: Commander of the Legion of Honor, founder of the Marcel Marceau mime school.

Birth: March 22, 1923 - Strasbourg, France.

Profession: Mime artist.

Interesting Facts: He changed his name to Marceau during the Resistance.