Yuri Nikulin

Yuri Nikulin was the star clown and a primary performer at the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard for decades. He joined the circus in the late 1940s and quickly became a beloved national treasure in the Soviet Union. He eventually became the primary director and manager of the circus in 1982.

Yes, Yuri Nikulin was a prolific actor and starred in many highly popular Soviet comedy films. He is most famous for his role as the cowardly fool in Leonid Gaidai's iconic 1966 film, 'The Diamond Arm'. He also starred in the beloved Soviet comedy 'Kidnapping, Caucasian Style' in 1967.

For many years, Yuri Nikulin performed as a comedic duo with his close friend and fellow clown, Mikhail Shuidin. Their partnership was legendary in the Soviet Union, with the tall, mournful-looking Nikulin contrasting perfectly against the nimble, energetic Shuidin. They performed together at the Moscow Circus from 1950 until Shuidin's death in 1983.

Yes, the circus where he spent his life, the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, was officially renamed the Nikulin Moscow Circus in his honor. A bronze statue of Yuri Nikulin sitting on a bench with his beloved dog rests near the entrance of the circus building. This statue is a highly popular spot for tourists and locals to take photos.