Born in 1923, Marcel Marceau earned recognition as one of the greatest mimes of the modern era. Marceau admired silent film legends such as Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, and Charlie Chaplin during his childhood in Strasbourg, France. Mimicking their routines, he quickly took to entertaining.

1. by Gilda Mullette
A BIOGRAPHY OF MARCEL
MARCEAU

2. A Biography of Marcel
Marceau
Born in 1923, Marcel Marceau earned
recognition as one of the greatest mimes of
the modern era. Marceau admired silent film
legends such as Buster Keaton, Laurel and
Hardy, and Charlie Chaplin during his
childhood in Strasbourg, France. Mimicking
their routines, he quickly took to
entertaining.

3. A Biography of Marcel
Marceau
During World War II, Marceau joined the
French Resistance. However, the Gestapo
came after his family so he moved to Paris.
While in the city, he studied under important
theater teachers Charles Dullin and Etienne
Decroux. After the war, he joined the military
and served until 1946 when he returned to
acting.

4. A Biography of Marcel
Marceau
One year later, Marcel Marceau hit a
landmark in his career by introducing a mime
character named “Bip.” An iconic figure, Bip
earned Marceau international fame and sold-
out shows across the world, including a six-
month tour throughout the United States in
the 1950s. Over the next several decades,
Marceau regularly appeared on television and
in film while playing to live audiences. He
died in 2007.

5. About the Author
A dancer and actress, Gilda Mullette has
performed with the American Ballet Theatre
and worked with many famous entertainers,
including Marcel Marceau.