Marcel Marceau dies at 84

[Adam]

I didn't think he intended to be funny. He was super at what he did though, what an imagination!

And aren't clowns supposed to be funny, even when most of them aren't?

It depends on how you are defining tragedy. I've seen lots of comic things that aren't funny, in that they didn't make me laugh out loud. But they were still incredible affecting comedy.

And besides, a mime isn't a clown.

[Kalo]

I didn't think he intended to be funny. He was super at what he did though, what an imagination!

And aren't clowns supposed to be funny, even when most of them aren't?

It depends on how you are defining tragedy. I've seen lots of comic things that aren't funny, in that they didn't make me laugh out loud. But they were still incredible affecting comedy.

And besides, a mime isn't a clown.

Not to belabor this, but he performed in the persona of a character named "Bip the Clown."

[BruceH]

C'mon, he's trying to get out of a box....and there's no box there!!!! That's...um.... Okay, it's not funny.

But then, I never found clowns funny, whatever their names.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I'm no expert, but I don't think clowns are necessarily supposed to be funny. The character is descended from the Commedia del Arte and that often didn't deal with comedy as we know it now.

MG

[MoGrubb]

This is the first I've heard of his stage persona, Bip the Clown. Marcel Marceau is all I knew him by. Maybe the Bip the Clown moniker caused unfulfilled expectations of being "funny," and disappointment to some of you. When I watched him I was amazed at his pure skill of mime, funny or not.

[Jazzmoose]

Not me. I'm just one of those guys who have an irrational hatred of mimes. Well, more of a feeling of disgust, actually.

[alocispepraluger102]

http://economist.com/obituary/displaystory...tory_id=9861554

[mgraham333]

A truly gifted artist. RIP

...and this time he really is in a box.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Here come the poor taste, Doo Wop, remark.

RIP BIP

MG