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===THE FARRELL BROTHERS=== | ===THE FARRELL BROTHERS=== | ||
| − | The Farrell Brothers were, from 1971 to 1983, a very successful American high wire duo that followed in the footsteps of the 1960s' [[Mendez and Seitz]] (Gene Mendez and Joe Seitz), former members of the legendary | + | The Farrell Brothers were, from 1971 to 1983, a very successful American high wire duo that followed in the footsteps of the 1960s' [[Mendez and Seitz]] (Gene Mendez and Joe Seitz), former members of the legendary the Wallenda troupe. The Farrell Brothers quickly became circus headliners in the United States and in Europe and enjoyed a brilliant, albeit relatively short, international career. |
Farrell Hettig didn't come from a circus family. Born in St Petersburg, Florida, on September 25,1955 to Nila and Farrell Hettig Sr., he joined a blended family of three siblings: Beth and Woodie, his older sister and brother from Nila’s previous marriage, and Mary, who was roughly one year older than Farrell. Farrell senior was working in radio advertising and Nila was a homemaker. | Farrell Hettig didn't come from a circus family. Born in St Petersburg, Florida, on September 25,1955 to Nila and Farrell Hettig Sr., he joined a blended family of three siblings: Beth and Woodie, his older sister and brother from Nila’s previous marriage, and Mary, who was roughly one year older than Farrell. Farrell senior was working in radio advertising and Nila was a homemaker. | ||
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Nila and Farrell divorced in 1961, when Farrell was six years old. Then, Nila and the children moved to Sarasota, Florida, known as America’s "Circus City:" John Ringling had made Sarasota his winter home in 1926, and then brought his large circus operation to the city in 1927. Over the years, many circus artists and families settled in Sarasota, establishing a circus community that has remained an important part of the city's fabric up to this day (2026). | Nila and Farrell divorced in 1961, when Farrell was six years old. Then, Nila and the children moved to Sarasota, Florida, known as America’s "Circus City:" John Ringling had made Sarasota his winter home in 1926, and then brought his large circus operation to the city in 1927. Over the years, many circus artists and families settled in Sarasota, establishing a circus community that has remained an important part of the city's fabric up to this day (2026). | ||
| − | Farrell got his introduction to the circus arts when he joined Sarasota’s famous youth circus, Sailor Circus (today part of the Circus Arts Conservatory), in his teen years. Over the years he performed many acts in Sailor Circus's shows, but high wire soon became his focus: He was coached by no less than | + | Farrell got his introduction to the circus arts when he joined Sarasota’s famous youth circus, Sailor Circus (today part of the Circus Arts Conservatory), in his teen years. Over the years he performed many acts in Sailor Circus's shows, but high wire soon became his focus: He was coached by no less than Gunther Wallenda. (Gunther was the one performer of the Wallenda troupe who remained standing on the wire during their tragic fall of 1969.) |
At the time, Gunther was a teacher in Sarasota County Schools. A gifted circus student, Farrell eventually went on the road with the Wallendas as a rigger during the summer of 1971. He was sixteen years old. Later in the early 1970’s, he began traveling with them as a performing member of the troupe. During that time Farrell and the legendary head of the troupe, Karl Wallenda, formed a strong bond that would bolster Farrell throughout his life.... ([[The Farrell Brothers|more...]]) | At the time, Gunther was a teacher in Sarasota County Schools. A gifted circus student, Farrell eventually went on the road with the Wallendas as a rigger during the summer of 1971. He was sixteen years old. Later in the early 1970’s, he began traveling with them as a performing member of the troupe. During that time Farrell and the legendary head of the troupe, Karl Wallenda, formed a strong bond that would bolster Farrell throughout his life.... ([[The Farrell Brothers|more...]]) | ||
Revision as of 21:19, 31 October 2026
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In The Spotlight
THE FARRELL BROTHERS
The Farrell Brothers were, from 1971 to 1983, a very successful American high wireA tight, heavy metallic cable placed high above the ground, on which wire walkers do crossings and various acrobatic exercises. Not to be confused with a tight wire. duo that followed in the footsteps of the 1960s' Mendez and Seitz (Gene Mendez and Joe Seitz), former members of the legendary the Wallenda troupe. The Farrell Brothers quickly became circus headliners in the United States and in Europe and enjoyed a brilliant, albeit relatively short, international career.
Farrell Hettig didn't come from a circus family. Born in St Petersburg, Florida, on September 25,1955 to Nila and Farrell Hettig Sr., he joined a blended family of three siblings: Beth and Woodie, his older sister and brother from Nila’s previous marriage, and Mary, who was roughly one year older than Farrell. Farrell senior was working in radio advertising and Nila was a homemaker.
Nila and Farrell divorced in 1961, when Farrell was six years old. Then, Nila and the children moved to Sarasota, Florida, known as America’s "Circus City:" John Ringling had made Sarasota his winter home in 1926, and then brought his large circus operation to the city in 1927. Over the years, many circus artists and families settled in Sarasota, establishing a circus community that has remained an important part of the city's fabric(See: Tissu) up to this day (2026).
Farrell got his introduction to the circus arts when he joined Sarasota’s famous youth circus, Sailor Circus (today part of the Circus Arts Conservatory), in his teen years. Over the years he performed many acts in Sailor Circus's shows, but high wireA tight, heavy metallic cable placed high above the ground, on which wire walkers do crossings and various acrobatic exercises. Not to be confused with a tight wire. soon became his focus: He was coached by no less than Gunther Wallenda. (Gunther was the one performer of the Wallenda troupe who remained standing on the wire during their tragic fall of 1969.)
At the time, Gunther was a teacher in Sarasota County Schools. A gifted circus student, Farrell eventually went on the road with the Wallendas as a rigger during the summer of 1971. He was sixteen years old. Later in the early 1970’s, he began traveling with them as a performing member of the troupe. During that time Farrell and the legendary head of the troupe, Karl Wallenda, formed a strong bond that would bolster Farrell throughout his life.... (more...)
New Essays and Biographies
- The Farrell Brothers, high wireA tight, heavy metallic cable placed high above the ground, on which wire walkers do crossings and various acrobatic exercises. Not to be confused with a tight wire.
- The Blumenfeld Family, circus owners, artists
- Émilien Bouglione, equestrian, circus owner (French version)
- Kremo Family, icarists
- The Ziratron, Israel's first Circus
New Videos
- Kidanu & Tehabe, Risley actAct performed by Icarists, in which one acrobat, lying on his back, juggles another acrobat with his feet. (Named after Richard Risley Carlisle, who developed this type of act.) (2026)
- Yasmine Smart, liberty"Liberty act", "Horses at liberty": Unmounted horses presented from the center of the ring by an equestrian directing his charges with his voice, body movements, and signals from a ''chambrière'' (French), or long whip. act (1992)
- Rustam Gazzaev, trained bisons (2024)
- Viktor Katunin & Diana Petrova, strap actAerial act performed hanging from a pair of fabric or leather straps. (See Aerial Straps.) (2026)
- Feruz Yusupov, strongman act (2026)
New Oral Histories
- Evelyn & André Interview by the Fővárosi Nagycirkusz (2025)
- The Bouglione Family France 3 TV documentary (2013)
- Valentin Gneushev interview on Russian Television (c.1990)
- Dominique Jando interview by the Circus Historical Society (2025)
- Evelyn & André Interview on Blikk TV (2015)
Circopedia Books
- Philip Astley & The Horsemen who invented the Circus, by Dominique Jando (2018)
A Message from the Founder
CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding archive of the international circus, maintained by reliable circus historians and specialists. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. Keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to contact us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.
- Dominique Jando
- Founder and Curator
