Charlie Rivel

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Josep Andreu i Lasserre (in Catalan; in Spanish, José Andreu) (April 23, 1896 - July 26, 1983), best known as Charlie Rivel, was a internationally known Spanish circus clown. He was born in Cubelles (Barcelona, Spain). His parents Pere Andreu Pausas (Spaniard) and Marie-Louise Lasarre (French) were circus artists as well.

He debuted when he was three and formed the group Los Rivels with his brothers Pablo and René. He took his artistic name from Charlie Chaplin. Legend has that Chaplin later asked him: "Is it you who imitates me or I who imitates you?". At the start of the Second World War he discovered his definitive routine, featuring a chair, a guitar and a long jersey. He had to stay two years in Nazi Germany. The theater play by Gerard Vàzquez Uuuuh! is based on that time.

In 1954 he returned to Barcelona where he became the star of Circo Price. His routine of the ululating clown is still remembered. In 1971, he appeared in Federico Fellini's film Clowns.