Was not Sunny the clown died Oleg Popov – Вести.Ru

According to the Director of the Great Moscow circus Edgard zapashnogo, Wednesday, November 2, on 87-m to year of life has died the world-famous clown, people’s artist of the USSR Oleg Popov.

“Oleg Popov died. I just got a call from the General Director of “Russian state circus company” Dmitry Ivanov reported about it” — quoted by TASS statement zapashnogo.

In turn, Dmitry Ivanov has specified that Oleg Popov has died in Rostov-on-don, where he was on tour, he died suddenly. “It felt good, sitting in the evening watching TV. And suddenly it happened, suddenly”, he said.

According to the Director “the state circus”, where will take place farewell, will discuss with the relatives of the deceased. Perhaps the funeral ceremony will be held in Russia. “We don’t know what was his will in this matter. He was buried, likely in Germany,” said Dmitry Ivanov. Over the last 25 years, Oleg Popov has lived in this country.

Edgard Zapashny says: “For today in the Russian circus there are no figures of the stature of Oleg Popov. Died the last of the Mohicans, people’s artist of the USSR, clown, recognizable worldwide. The man who can be said to have died in the arena, because on Sunday he came out to the arena”.

In Russia Oleg Popov came with a concert tour, which began with performances in St. Petersburg and Saratov. Then — Rostov-on-don. The last time Oleg Popov performed there more than 40 years ago. Sunny the clown was brought to the don capital program, “May there always be sunshine” in which he performed both new and classics Reprise. And, of course, his famous number “Ray”. After Rostov-on-don, the artist had to play in Moscow and Samara.

His career in the circus is a graduate of the state College of circus arts Oleg Popov started with gymnastics, and in 1951 he made his debut as clown clowns. He created the artistic image of “Sunny the clown”, which is still remembered by the audience.

In 1991, Oleg Popov went to Germany. Retaining Russian citizenship, all these years he lived in the Bavarian town of Egloffstein together with his wife, a circus artist, Gabrielle. In foreign circuses that he performed under the pseudonym “Happy Hans”. Last year, after almost 25 years of absence Oleg Popov first came to Russia at the festival of circus arts “Master” in Sochi, where he was awarded the title “Legend of the circus.”