MEET THE CLOWNS OF THE 137th EDITION!
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Leo Acton, All Access Pre-show Host and Boss Clown
Leo Acton is a natural-born showman who not only cavorts with its famous Clown
Alley as one of its most and outrageous and outspoken offshoots, but also hosts
the ever-popular All Access Pre-show of Ringling Bros.® BellobrationSM. Born in
Berkley, CA, to parents he deems "original hippies," Leo was encouraged from
the start by his family to pursue his ambitions of becoming a performer. He
enrolled at the renowned Ringling Bros.® Clown College, graduated in 1996 and
joined The Greatest Show On Earth® in 1998.
In 2004, Leo took a position with Feld Entertainment, Inc.'s production of
Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh and the Perfect Day. While he greatly enjoyed
touring Asia, Europe and North America with the show, he returned to his
Ringling Bros®. roots in 2006, where he resumed his clowning career and took up
duties as an Associate of Clown Development and a Clown Consultant. Now, also
filling the role as host of the All Access Pre-show, Leo revels in the
opportunity to interact with audience members and introduce them, up close and
personal, to performers from all over the world.
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Dustin Portillo
From the time that he was four years old,
Dustin Portillo dreamed of joining The Greatest Show On Earth®, and in 2005 his
dreams became reality. Dustin's most treasured memories of growing up in
Independence, MO, were his trips to Ringling Bros.® and his favorite
performers, the clowns. Encouraged by his parents, he performed in theatrical
productions and began his professional career working at a Six Flags-based
circus show, where he honed both physical comedy and classic clowning skills.
Described by friends as outgoing and funny, with an obvious love for life,
Dustin exudes appreciation for having the opportunity to do what he loves and
what he has always wanted to do. He also has a particular affinity for circus
tradition and clowning history, as well as for designing and building many of
the props used by Clown Alley in their BellobrationSM appearances. Adding to
his repertoire of talents, a dossier carefully compiled by this surprisingly
sensitive 21-year-old, are his mastery of Hungarian and American Sign Language,
as well as a penchant for saying the alphabet backwards!
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Alex Acero
Alex Acero is instantly recognizable as the soccer-playing clown in Ringling
Bros.® BellobrationSM. His character, which Alex reveals was inspired by his
friends, is not a surprising one for this resident of Sao Paolo, Brazil, to
have chosen as he loves to play "football" whenever he gets the chance! Both of
his parents and one of his brothers have also worked in circuses in South
America, so Alex grew up surrounded by clowns and performers and was drawn to
them from the start.
Alex cites his father, whom he describes as "his hero," with instilling in him
his willpower and a desire to "become famous," traits that have helped Alex
bring his talents to The Greatest Show On Earth® and its renowned Clown Alley.
In addition, Alex feels that one of his biggest contributions to the show and
its audiences is his abundant joy. He is thrilled to be a part of BellobrationSM
and to have the opportunity to travel throughout the United States on the
Ringling Bros®. train with all the comforts of home: "my computer, television
and microwave," and most of all - his digital camera, with which he records his
journeys and once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
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Yvinson Acero
Born into a circus family in his native Columbia, Yvinson Acero never
considered any other career path. He credits his parents with encouraging and
inspiring his clowning aspirations, which led him to the Garcia Circus in
Brazil. There he worked - honing his juggling skills, of which he is
particularly proud - and attended school before joining The Greatest Show On
Earth® in 2005 - a milestone that his proud mother helped to celebrate with a
huge party in his honor!
Yvinson, who is one of the youngest members of the Clown Alley for Ringling
Bros.® BellobrationSM, loves what he does and shows it by bringing "joy and
spontaneity" to his clown character, as well as audiences everywhere. He also
enjoys traveling, visiting new sites and taking advantage of both local cuisine
and home cooking - at every opportunity! And, while Yvinson has devoted his
young life to entertaining Children Of All Ages with his amusing antics, he
also enjoys surprising people with his quiet and gentle persona behind the
scenes of the show. |
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Lance Brown
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Todd Griffith
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Julio Ramazini
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Paulo Silveira
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Lucielen Conceicao
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Tatiane Oliveira
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Larry Clark
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Olexandr Kartukov
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