Russia’s world-famous ‘sunshine clown’ Oleg Popov dies at 86

"Oleg Popov died in Rostov, he was there on tour. I got in touch with his producer, and said that we are ready to provide all possible assistance and to organize a farewell at the Moscow State Circus,” - Zapashny said.

Popov was born in Virubovo, Russia, on July 31, 1930.

He was known the world over for his talents, and was nicknamed the "sunshine clown” by French journalist Jaqueline Cartier.

He toured internationally beginning in the 1950s, and was honored with the title of People's Artist of the Soviet Union in 1969. Popov moved to Germany in the 1990s, and in 2006 was invited to perform at the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo, where he received a lengthy standing ovation