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SurnameKhozias
NameBeola
PatronymYankelevna
Birth year1940
Birth month1
Birth day2
birth_placeJēkabpils

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Polyakov Nikolai Petrovich (1900-1974)

Personal data
SurnamePolyakov
NameNikolai
PatronymPetrovich
Birth year1900
birth_placeDvinsk
Death year1974
death_month9
death_day25
Death placeWoodnewton

Polyakov Nikolai Petrovich (1900, Dvinsk, Vitebsk Province – 25 September 1974, Woodnewton, United Kingdom) — clown.

Nikolai Polyakov was born into a family of theatre actors, he began performing in street shows at the age of five. In 1929 he emigrated to the United Kingdom and for many years worked with the Bertram Mills Circus. He also appeared on television. His stage name was Coco the Clown. He was known for two distinctive features: size-58 shoes and hair that stood on end in astonishment. He became one of the most famous clowns in the United Kingdom and was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame.

During the Second World War, he served in the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). In 1960, he was involved in a serious car accident, after which he became an active campaigner for children’s road safety. Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the rank of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). He continued working in the circus until the mid-1960s.