Did you know that world-famous mime artist Marcel Marceau saved the lives of Jewish children during WWII?
Marcel (né Mangel) was born 98 years ago, On this day March 22, 1923 to a Jewish family in Strasbourg, France. He and his brother Alain joined the French Resistance and changed their last name to Marceau to hide their Jewish identity. Marcel helped smuggle Jewish children out of an orphanage and into neutral Switzerland. In order to do this, he made use of his acting and miming skills. For example, he once posed as a Boy Scout leader and led a group of children through the forests to the border. Marcel mimed to keep them quiet on the perilous journey and the children felt at ease.
His first big performance took place in 1944 in front of 3,000 American soldiers following the liberation of Paris. He was serving as a liaison officer for General Patton’s Third Army. He went on to become a legendary mime and performed all over the world for more than 60 years.
Marcel passed away in southwestern France in 2007 at the age of 84. May his memory be a blessing.
Source: American Society for Yad Vashem
