Jean-Baptiste Gaspard Deburau

Jean-Baptiste Gaspard Deburau was a renowned 19th-century French mime artist best known for his performances at the Théâtre des Funambules in Paris. Living from 1796 to 1846, he popularized the silent art of mime, creating the iconic character of Pierrot, a sad clown with a white face and attire. Deburau's expressive physical acting and mastery of silence helped elevate mime to a respected theatrical form, influencing future performers. His work celebrated subtlety and emotion without words, making his performances timeless examples of expressive physical storytelling.