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Cairoli, Charlie, 1910 - 1980

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 15 February 1910 - 17 February 1980

Biography

Hubert Jean Charles Cairoli was an Italian-English clown, impressionist and musician.

Cairoli was born in Affori, Milan, Italy to a travelling circus family of French origin, he began his performing career at the age of seven, under the name 'Carletto'. In his twenties, he was performing around Europe with his father as The Cairoli Brothers, a knockabout acrobatic act.

Cairoli first appeared at the Blackpool Tower Circus in 1939 just as the Second World War broke out and became the Tower’s resident clown for the following forty years. Cairoli achieved worldwide fame appearing in circuses, films, television, theatres in the UK America and Europe and regularly performed in variety shows and pantomime. He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1970 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at London's Wembley Arena.

Cairoli retired in November 1979 at 69 due to ill health and died a year later on 17 February 1980.

In February 2000 in Blackpool, Cairoli was awarded a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award from the World's Fair circus newspaper.

His son, Charlie Cairoli Junior, adapted the role his father had made famous, although performing more cabaret and pantomime rather than in the circus.

Found in 89 Collections and/or Records:

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic' 75 Poster, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.146
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli, Mary Chipperfield. Colour illustrations of a clown, a woman riding horseback, horses, a zebra, a lion, tigers and an elephants against a blue background, type in yellow, orange and white.

Dates: 1975

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic' 75 Poster, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.181
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli, Mary Chipperfield. Colour illustrations of a clown, a woman riding horseback, horses, a zebra, a lion, tigers and an elephants against a blue background, type in yellow, orange and white.

Dates: 1975

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic' 75 Poster, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.212
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli, Mary Chipperfield. Colour illustrations of a clown, a woman riding horseback, horses, a zebra, a lion, tigers and an elephants against a blue background, type in yellow, orange and white.

Dates: 1975

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic' 78 Poster, 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.160
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli clown, Mary Chipperfield animal tamer, Lilly Yokoi, Yong Bros. Colour illustration of a pouncing tiger, main background is blue with yellow and white stars, main title in yellow and red, act announcements in red and black on a yellow background.

Dates: 1978

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic' 78 Poster, 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.159
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli clown, Mary Chipperfield animal tamer, Lilly Yokoi, Yong Bros. Colour illustration of a pouncing tiger, main background is blue with yellow and white stars, main title in yellow and red, act announcements in red and black on a yellow background.

Dates: 1978

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.3
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Mary Chipperfield and her animals, The Flying Marilees Flyers Aerialists, Circus Knie’s Horses, Franz R. Althoff elephants, Kris Kremo juggler, Fattini blancing act, Skating Rolwoods, Chy Bao Guy Troupe, The Six Bertinis trick cyclists and balancing act, Desmond and Marks clown, Helen Piderman. Notes of times handwritten on programme. Contains photos, 12p.p.

Dates: 1975

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.14
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his company clowns, Bronley’s Space Rocket, Rogana balance act, Circus Knie’s Horses and Ponies presented by Franz R. Althoff, Tommy Chipperfield and his lions, Bratuchin Cossack Troupe, Gina, Orlando and Celinas, Los Hermans, Inge Lise, Tommy de-Vel Trio jugglers, Normans and his udgerigars, Professor Grimble clown. Contains illustration on the cover with photos, 12p.p.

Dates: 1977

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.22
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his company clowns, Lilly Yokoi trick cyclist, Yong Brothers balancing act, Mary Chipperfield and her magnificent animals, Norman Barrett ringmaster, The Salvadors ball balancing, Kludsky Troupe tumblers, Miss Wendy and her birds, Burger Sisters, El Gran Rober. Contains illustration on cover with photos, 12p.p.

Dates: 1978

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.78
Scope and Contents

Colour portrait photographs of Charlie Cairoli and Mary Chipperfield in circles and illustration of animal heads in yellow and red scroll joining the photos on a black starry background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising. Printed by United Printing Services, Stanley Road, Blackpool, 6p.p.

Dates: 1975

Blackpool Tower Circus Fantastic Programme, 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.79
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of Charlie Cairoli, showgirls and circus animals and riders on a red background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising. Printed by Renault Printing Co. Ltd., 54 College Road, Birmingham, B44 8BS, 6p.p.

Dates: 1976

Blackpool Tower Circus International Summer Season Programme, 1957

 Item — Box Hamilton Kaye Box 1: Series 178R29; Series 178T9; Series 178K28; Series 178I14; Series 178Z30
Reference code: 178K28.18
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli, Clown, Excess Baggage, Performing dogs, Krone’s Arabian Horses, Polar Bears and Shetland Ponies, The Flying Marileesm Aerial Texans, The Five Cristianis, Acrobats, Frances Duncan, Aerialist, Nino Rubio, Balancing act, The Yokoi Troupe, Cycling act, The Golden Linders, Water Fantasy, The Bedini Troupe, Tumblers, The Aerial Chapmans, Revolving ladder thrills, 12pp.

Dates: 1957

Blackpool Tower Circus International Summer Season Programme, 1960

 Item — Box Hamilton Kaye Box 1: Series 178R29; Series 178T9; Series 178K28; Series 178I14; Series 178Z30
Reference code: 178K28.19
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli, Clown, Benneweis’ Mixed group presented by Gerd Siemoneit, Animal act, The Myrons, Balancing act, Bob Gerry troupe, High Wire Walkers, Knie’s Elephants, chimpanzees and Arabian horses presented by Sacha Houcke, Dudi Smith and Rupert Bemmerl, The Five Amandis, Tumblers, The Balcombes, Fun on a ladder, The 3 Houcs, Jugglers, King Kong, Schaller Brothers, Clowns, Fattini, Clown acrobat, The Therons, Cycling stars, 12pp.

Dates: 1960

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1961

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.142
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Schickler Sisters, Knie's Lippizanas, ponies and mules presented by Sacha Houke, Four Palacios, Circus Roland's Tigers presented by Charley Baumann, The Berosinis, Rudy Horn, 3 Lorrandos, Moni the Wonder smoking elephant presented by Monique, The Sydney Boxing Kangaroo, Five Elwardos, the Golden Gladiators, Little Jimmy, Our Sammy, Captain Danion's sea lions, Lilian Kenny. Colour illustrations of a clown, a horse, a tiger, an elephant and a sea lion...
Dates: 1961

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1951

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.143
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, Oscar Konyot with his lions, Knie's chimpanzees presented by Mr and Mrs Smith, Knie's French horses presented by W Kossmayer, The Great Alexander Troupe, Victor Julian and his Pets, Knie's Tiger horses and ponies, The Four Richy's, 3 Lorandos, The Mars Troupe, The Arrigonis, 3 Houcs, Jimmy Scott, Annette's Circusettes, Little Jimmy, The Flying Constellation. Colour illustrations of a clown, chimps and dogs in clothes, a lion, a trapeze act and horses with a...
Dates: 1951

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1958

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.144
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clown, Three Merkys comedy acrobats, Rih-Aruso, Mills' Boxing chimpanzees presented by William Lenz, Knie's panthers, tigers, lions, polar and black bears and leopards presented by Eugen Weidman, Knei's sea lions, 6 Flying De Pauls, 3 Antares, 3 Chiesas, Maurice and May, Alma Piaia, Ivan Bratuchin and his Cossack Riders, Krone's Liberty Horses presented by Jozsi Vinicky, Manja Vinicky and her High School Acts, Little Jimmy. Colour illustrations of a clown, a tiger,...
Dates: 1958

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.145
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Flying Marilees, Lilian Daniels and her polar bears, Konyot's chimpanzee rodeo, The Four Rodriguez, Circus Schumann's 12 Liberty horses presented by Billy Baker, Desmond and Marks, The Guttenbergs, Fuzzy-Ball Kaye and Tiny Tommy Gallaher, Kimi Yokoi, See-Hee Troupe, Bartschelly, Evelyn Hans and her poodles, Rudi Llata. Colour illustrations of clowns, a chimp dressed as a cowboy, a polar bear, the 4 Rodriguez, Kimi Yokoi and two poodles, main...
Dates: 1964

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1953

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.153
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, 8 Flying Croneras, Fischer's elephants, 5 Hansels, John, The Balladinis, 5 Talos, Knie's Legionnaires equestrian act, Klant's Lions presented by Tarzana, 2 Canters, Karl Kossmayers unrideable mule, Jimmy Scott, Little Jimmy, Annette's Circusettes, Carola's cockatoos and parrots, Trio Olympiads. Colour illustrations of lion and tamer, clown, aerial acrobat, elephant and a man on horseback, main background blue with a red stage curtain at the top, type red on...
Dates: 1953

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1952

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.154
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Knie's lions and tigers presented by Trubka, Ghezzi Brothers, Rose Gold Trio, Tosca de Lac, Knie's horses and zebras presented by Wenzel Kossmayer, Rogge Sisters, Duncan's Collies, Jacky Lupescu, The Oliveras, Little Jimmy, Annette's Circusettes, Jimmy Scott, Knie's animal carousel presented by Douglas Kossmayer, Knie's baby elephants presented by Wenzel Kossmayer, Edith Crocker's bear. Colour illustrations of a clown, aerial acrobats, a tiger and a lion, two...
Dates: 1952

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1938

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.162
Scope and Contents Hagenbeck's Elephants presented by Walter Kaden, Crocker's Teddy bears, Dario Bario Family clowns, Rubrio Sisters equilibrists, Capt. Tommy Kayes with his lions, Lopez Trio with Victor Fratellini comedy aerial gymnasts, Flying Alizes, Ellen Octavio animal trainer, Doodles clown, 3 Van Normans, Ryders 3, Camilla Caroli Troupe riding act, The Crystal Wonders, The Tower Mermaids. White, yellow, red and blue type on blue, red, yellow and green background with colour illustrations of clown heads...
Dates: 1938

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.164
Scope and Contents

15 Devils of the Forest presented by Alfred Court big cat act, Emmy Truzzi equestrian act, Cairoli Trio clowns, Lou Lenny with her kicking mules, 7 Martinettes acrobats, Omega Trio, equilibrists, Doodles clown, Cavalini's canine comedians, 3 Van Normans, The Great Wallendas high wire. Main background is blue with white stars, main title in yellow, type in red and blue on a white background. Printed by W. E. Berry.

Dates: 1939