Bye-Bye Bip

Marcel Marceau passed away Saturday (22 Sept) in Paris France. More than anyone he showed what an art form mime could truly be.

Born Marcel Mangel in Strasbourg France in 1923, his family changed their last name to Marceau when NAZI Germany invaded France at the start of WW II. His father Charles, a Jewish butcher, was deported to Auschwitz where he was killed in 1944. Marcel & his brother Alain avoided deportation & became involved in the French Underground. They helped many Jewish children escape to Switzerland during the war. (This was something I don't remember ever knowing before. For me it adds all the more poignancy to his performances as Bip.)

Seeing Charlie Chaplin perform inspired him to get into acting. In 1947 he created the character who would become his trademark, Bip. I was fascinated every time I watched him perform.

When Mel Brooks decided to make Silent Movie (a silent movie about making a silent movie) he gave the only spoken line to the 1 person known for his silent perfoming, Marcel Marceau.

Rather than say any more, I'll let Marceau's (& Bip's) work speak for itself:

Here he is with another comedy talent who also did some funny mime Red Skelton:

His talent inspired many others. Michael Jackson credits Marceau's work as the source of inspiration for his moonwalk.

Au revoir mon ami BIP!!!!!