Fratellini, Annie (1932–1997)

views updated

Fratellini, Annie (1932–1997)

French clown. Born in 1932 in French Algiers, Algeria; died of cancer, June 30, 1997; granddau. of circus performer Paul Fratellini (one of the Fratellini brothers); m. Pierre Etaix (filmmaker).

France's 1st female clown, began career at 14 with the Medrano and Pinder circuses; heralded for her pratfalls, also used a variety of musical instruments, from concertina to vibraphone, in her performances; with husband, founded the Fratellini Circus School, the nation's 1st circus school, and served as its artistic director; as well, directed her own circus, École Nationale du Cirque, in Paris; appeared in feature films, Le Grand Amour (1969), Fellini's The Clowns (1970) and Henry and June (1990).