Entertainer. He became skilled as an equestrian acrobat and clown in his father's circus. While a member of Sanger's Circus in England he teamed up with Raphael "Chocolat" Padilla, another circus equestrian. Footit and Padilla worked primarily at the Hippodrome du Champ de Mars and the Nouveau Cirque in Paris. Although the partnership lasted over twenty years, their act, by today's standards, was stunningly racist. On stage, Footit played the part of the "superior" white clown physically abusing his "inferior" black companion. Some film stills of the act remain. Their early sound film productions "Entree des chases" and a version of their skit "Guillaune Tell"were restored in 2012 . Their last performance together was in 1910 at the Folies-Bergere. Footit continued solo on stage briefly. Upon retirement, he ran a bar and restaurant in the Champs-Elysees until his death from cancer.
Entertainer. He became skilled as an equestrian acrobat and clown in his father's circus. While a member of Sanger's Circus in England he teamed up with Raphael "Chocolat" Padilla, another circus equestrian. Footit and Padilla worked primarily at the Hippodrome du Champ de Mars and the Nouveau Cirque in Paris. Although the partnership lasted over twenty years, their act, by today's standards, was stunningly racist. On stage, Footit played the part of the "superior" white clown physically abusing his "inferior" black companion. Some film stills of the act remain. Their early sound film productions "Entree des chases" and a version of their skit "Guillaune Tell"were restored in 2012 . Their last performance together was in 1910 at the Folies-Bergere. Footit continued solo on stage briefly. Upon retirement, he ran a bar and restaurant in the Champs-Elysees until his death from cancer.
Bio by: Winter Birds PA
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