Oleg Popov

Born in the village of Vyrubovo, Kuntsevo district, Moscow oblast, RSFSR, USSR. Famous clown. Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1956). People's Artist of the RSFSR (1958). People's Artist of the USSR (1969). Educated at the State School of Circus Arts (graduated in 1950). Began his career as an equilibrist, performing with the act "Eccentric on a Free Wire". In 1951, he debuted as a carpet clown. He finally established himself in this role in the Youth Circus Group (1951-1953). Created the artistic image of the "Sunny Clown" - an indefatigable guy with a shock of blond hair in deliberately wide striped pants and a checkered cap. The artist took part in the first tours of the Soviet circus in Western Europe. These trips brought him worldwide fame. Since 1991, he lived and worked in Germany, where he performed under the pseudonym "Hans im Glück" / "Happy Hans". In June 2015, for the first time, after 24 years of living in Germany, he visited Russia. On June 30, he performed in the arena of the Sochi Circus with two reprises as part of the International Professional Circus Award "Master". In December 2015, he performed in St. Petersburg at the opening of the Ciniselli Circus after restoration. He died in Rostov-on-Don, where he was on tour.