Annie Fratellini; France’s Leading Female Clown

Annie Fratellini, 64, France’s most beloved female clown. In 1974, Fratellini founded France’s National Circus School to teach circus skills and give sound academic training to high school students. In her act, she used slapstick with a minimum of props. Born in Algiers and the daughter of a circus star, she worked with the Medrano and Pinder Circus and also acted in a few French films. Fratellini was an officer in the national Order of Merit and a Knight of Arts and Letters. She won France’s Grand Prix for cultural activities in 1985 and was awarded the Montblanc Prize last year. On Tuesday in Paris of cancer.