Charlie Rivel

• Name — Charlie Rivel • Birth Name — Josep Andreu i Lasserre • Born — 23 April 1896 • Birthplace — Cubelles (Barcelona), Spain • Died — 26 July 1983 • Place of death — Sant Pere de Ribes (Barcelona), Spain • Occupation — Circus clown

He debuted at the age of three in a group of siblings known as "Los Pepitos". Later he formed the group Trío Rivels with his brothers Polo Rivel and René Rivel. He took his artistic first name from Charlie Chaplin whom he encountered first in 1910. Each respected the other. Legend has it that Chaplin later asked him: "Is it you who imitate me or I who imitate you?". He later discovered his definitive routine, featuring a chair, a guitar and a long jersey. In 1970, he appeared in Federico Fellini's film The Clowns. He performed in the interval act for the Eurovision Song Contest 1973 in Luxembourg. • Illustration — Charlie Rivel, in Vienna, Austria, in 1972. • Illustration — Charlie Rivel's birthplace house. Cubelles, (Barcelona), Spain. • Illustration — Plaque on Charlie Rivel's birthplace house.

The Charlie Rivel Hall in Cubelles is a museum dedicated to him. A statue designed by Joaquim Ros i Sabaté honors him in the Joan Brossa gardens in Barcelona. There is also a park dedicated to him in Vigo (Pontevedra). • Illustration — Monument to Charlie Rivel in the Joan Brossa gardens. Barcelona, Spain.

He also worked under the name Charlie Rivel. The authorities additionally record the heading Josep Andreu i Lasserre. His recorded languages were Catalan and Spanish. He was the child of Pere Andreu i Pausas and María Luisa Laserre. One child is recorded: Paulina Andreu i Busto.

Charlie Rivel is recorded as having received Saint George's Cross and National Theater Prize.