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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 Poster, 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.191
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, Schickler Sisters, Josef Wiesner's 7 tigers presented by Helene Pimmer, Knie's log rolling elephants presented by Ruppert Bemmerl, 4 Palacios, Eldino and assistant, Trio Morlidor, Tibor Alexander's dogs, The Great Barton, The Great Pusztai Troupe, Carmel Gowan, The Two Angelos, 4 Dubowys, Knie's Tiger horses presented by Edith Schickler, Knie's 18 ponies presented by Ingrid Schickler, Hoppe's kicking mule. Colour illustrations of a clown, an elephant and a...
Dates: 1959
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1957

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.192
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Krone's ponies and polar bears presented by Jozsi Vinicky, Krone's Arabian horses presented by Doris Arndt, Excess Baggage presented by Alma Michaels, Flying Marilees, Five Cristianis, Nino Rubio, Bedini Troupe, Yokoi Troupe, Aerial Chapmans, Little Jimmy, Golden Linders, Frances Duncan. Colour illustrations of a clown, monkeys in clothes, a polar bear balancing on a ball, two horses, two ponies pulling carts and a man on a ladder balancing teacups on his head,...
Dates: 1957
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.193
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, The Great Pusztai Troupe, The Flying Zemgannos, Los Onas, Rudi Llata, Ruppert's bears, Knie's lions, tigers, leopards, polar bear, panthers and black bear presented by Eugen Weidmann, Baranton Sisters, Robert Brothers's elephants presented by Edith Schickler, Sacha Houcke's Ben-Hur, Roman riding, Sacha Houcke and Edith Schickler high school act, The Hermanis, Desmond and Marks, The Bearis. Colour illustrations of a clown, a lion, a tiger, a polar bear, and...
Dates: 1963
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1962

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.194
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, The Bronleys, Hugh Forgie and Company, Circus Williams' lions presented by Miss Yvonne, The 2 Carmenas, Circus Knie's Norweigan and Legion horses, zebras and ponies presented by Franz Althoff, The Diors Sisters, Circus Knie's animal carousel presented by Franz Althoff, The Four Soranis, 2 Dominicis, Willem Lenz and his chimpanzees, Tiber Alexander's Canine Revue, Desmond and Marks, Circus Knie's 4 elephants presented by Joseph Hack, Dagenham girl piper....
Dates: 1962
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1966

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.195
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Gerd Siemoneit's lions, tigers, leopards, pumas and panther, Ruppert's bears, Rogana, Seven Lukacs, Jörgen and Conny, Desmond and Marks, Circus A. Althoff's Eight Arab Liberty horses presented by Franz Althoff Jnr, Maryse Begary, Tower Circusettes, Roberto Mariani Trio, Triple High School by Franz Althoff Jnr, Elene Althoff and Evi Barrtch, 5 Medifreds, The Ascots. Colour illustrations of a clown, a leopard, a panther and a bear on a tall bicycle, type and...
Dates: 1966
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1967

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.196
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Flying Leotaris, Taras Bulba and his tigers, Max and Barbara Morris with their sea-lions, Tibor Alexander and his Dog Revue, The 3 Villams, Tower Circusettes, Baily Fossettt's elephants and ponies presented by Ivor Rosaire, The Great Barton, Jean Claude, Gina The Girl in the Moon, Goldy the horse with Jack Rosaire, The Gerardis, Desmond and Marks, The Wilsons. Colour illustration of a clown, type and background multicoloured. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd.

Dates: 1967
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1965

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.197
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Ferdinando Jarz Troupe, Robert Bros 5 baby elephants presented by Dickie Baker, 3 Merkys, D'Angoly Jnr, Arno and Rita Van Bolen, The Tower Circusettes, Circus A. Althoff's Liberty horses presented by F R Althoff, Circus A Althoff's Shetland ponies presented by Helene Althoff, Hoppe's kicking mule, 8 Jungle Queens presented by Captain Sidney Howes, 6 Biasinis, 5 Olanders, Skating Bredos, Dogsi's football dogs, The Trio Puerto Rico, Alma Piana. Colour...
Dates: 1965
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.198
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
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1968

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.199
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company clowns, Gerd Siemoneit's lions, tigers, leopards, pumas and panther, 6 Kludsky, Chy Bad Guy, The Four Rodriguez aerial acrobats, The Svenssons, Gabriella and her show dogs, Astralita, The Balcombes, Ivan Bratuchin and his Cossack riders, Concha and Concha, Giselle Palmas, Tower Circusettes, Desmond and Marks. Black and white photograph of a clown, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.

Dates: 1968
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.200
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Flying Marilees, Circus Franz Althoff's 7 tigers presented by Miss Yvonne, Circus Franz Althoff's elephants presented by F R Althoff, 8 Danish Tiger horses and ponies presented by F.R. Althoff, 6 Ferkos, 4 Castors, 4 Bertolas, jockey chimpanzees presented by Al de Jonghe, Toly M, Tower Circusettes, Desmond and Marks. Black and white photograph of a clown, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.

Dates: 1969
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1970

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.201
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Ruppert's bears, Valla Bertini Troupe, The Elwardos, Barbara Morris and her sea lions, The Svensons, The New Houdinys, David Rosaire and his Perky Pekes, Gerard Edon, Desmond and Marks, Freddie Kenton, Skating Sandras, The Charlies, Tower Circusettes. Small black and white photograph of a clown and black and white illustration of blackpool tower, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.

Dates: 1970
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1971

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.202
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clowns, The Flying Alizes, Robert Bros elephants presented by Ivor Rosaire, Duo Dobritch, Three Villams, The Crazy Monroe, Arturo Segura, Jean Lemoine and Partner, Leigh Marsh and her poodle cocktail, Joan Rosaire and Goldy, Desmond and Marks, Jerry, Jimmy and Johnny, Tower Circusettes, Hungarian State Circus Four Syrius. Black and white photograph of a clown, colour illustrations of trapeze artists, an elephant, performing dogs in clothes, a horse and a water...
Dates: 1971
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.203
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, Harry Belli and his lions, Armand Guerre's musical sea lions, Scriplini and his chimpanzees, Trampo-Tempo, 5 Armandis, The Cuban Boys, 2 Berty Borest, Alcetty, 3 Orfatis, Wenzel Kossmayer with Knie's horses and 6 baby elephants, The Garlands, Traffic Lights, Giant and Midget presentations, Western playtime and Spanish Fiesta presented by Douglas Kossmayer, The Tower Circusettes, Frances Duncan. Colour illustrations of a clown, four chimpanzees, three lions,...
Dates: 1955
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.204
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Krone's tigers presented by Gilbert Houcke, Edith Crocker's bears, Five D'Angoly's, See-Hee Troupe, The Heltanos, The Zemgannos, Tom and Jerry, Theda Sisters, The Matanzas, Tibor Dog, Alexander's Revue, King Kong, Krone's Arab stallions, the golden horses Pegasus with the elephant Lony, Piebald stallions and Shetland ponies presented by Jozsi Vinicky. Colour illustrations of a clown, four tigers, a strongman, dogs on a slide, horses, a chimpanzee climbing a pole,...
Dates: 1956
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.205
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul and Company, Knie's sea lions presented by Miss Hella, Gilbert Houcke with the Royal Bengal tigers, Pierre Alizes with Jacques and Maryse, The Seven Ashtons, Roberto Chiesa and Partner, The 3 Peters, Baudy's greyhounds and monkeys, Knie's 12 black horses presented by Maurice Houcke, The Dorchesters with the 3 Scott Boys, Eileen, Jean, Anne and Hilary presented by Delbosq, The 3 Goetschis, The Balcombes, The Laconas, The Dorocinas presented by Delbosq, Jimmy Scott,...
Dates: c1950 - 1959
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.155
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, The Great Pusztai Troupe, The Flying Zemgannos, Los Onas, Rudi Llata, Ruppert's bears, Knie's lions, tigers, leopards, polar bear, panthers and black bear presented by Eugen Weidmann, Baranton Sisters, Robert Brothers's elephants presented by Edith Schickler, Sacha Houcke's Ben-Hur, Roman riding, Sacha Houcke and Edith Schickler high school act, The Hermanis, Desmond and Marks, The Bearis. Colour illustrations of a clown, a lion, a tiger, a polar bear, and...
Dates: 1963
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1957

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.157
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Krone's ponies and polar bears presented by Jozsi Vinicky, Krone's Arabian horses presented by Doris Arndt, Excess Baggage presented by Alma Michaels, Flying Marilees, Five Cristianis, Nino Rubio, Bedini Troupe, Yokoi Troupe, Aerial Chapmans, Little Jimmy, Golden Linders, Frances Duncan. Colour illustrations of a clown, monkeys in clothes, a polar bear balancing on a ball, two horses, two ponies pulling carts and a man on a ladder balancing teacups on his head,...
Dates: 1957
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1954

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.158
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Knie's panthers, polar bears, black bears, lions and tigers presented by August Natsch, Three Craddocks, Vivian and Tassi, 4 Ramses, 2 Rassos, Harold Gautier's Excess Baggage presented by Alma Michaels, The 7 Eagles, Two Cherks, Fattini, Knie's radio horses and wist drive horses presented by Wenzel Kossmayer, Argentine Pony Express presented by Douglas Kossmayer, dancing horse and his Partner Sandry presented by Douglas Kossmayer and George Ruzsa, Jimmy Scott,...
Dates: 1954
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Posters, c1930 - 1990

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R47.141-212
Scope and Contents

Posters for Blackpool Tower Circus including shows by Knie's Circus, Circus Krone, Circus Schumann, Bertram Mills Circus, Robert Brothers Circus and performances by Charlie Cairoli, Doddles, Coco the Clown, The Rosaires, Lilly Yokoi, Alfred Court, Vojtek Trubka, The Great Wallendas and Mary Chipperfield among others.

Dates: c1930 - 1990
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1974

 Item
Reference code: 178K41.2
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and Company, The Flying Alizes trapeze, Trio Hoganas wire act, Max Morris and His Californian Sea Lions, The Three Siegfrieds thrilling perchists, Jean Claude and Yvette puppeteers, The Wychwoods and their poodles, Billy Smart’s Elephants, The Six Benis swing act, The Kludsky trick cycling, Jerry, Jimmy and Johnny bareback riding, Paul and Barry Harman. Colour illustration of clown on cover, photos. Notes of times handwritten on programme, 12p.p.

Dates: 1974
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Christopher Palmer Collection / Programmes

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