The world’s best-known mime artist Marcel Marceau who charmed the world in silence has died at the age of 84. “Mime, like music, knows neither borders nor nationalities,” said the French performer, famous for his silent portrayal of the white-faced clown Bip, created 60 years ago. Born in Strasbourg in 1923, Marceau was inspired by silent era actors like Charlie Chaplin, and studied under mime master Etienne Decroux in Paris. After the war he formed his own mime company and toured Europe and the US. He also played in dozens of films.

“I think that mime has to have an evolution,” he said, late in his career. “It’s normal that it will change, because stories change, but the classical story are timeless.”

An evolution clearly illustrated by the mime’s influence on artists worldwide like Michael Jackson, whose famous moonwalk was inspired by Marcel Marceau’s act. Married three times, he leaves behind behind four children.

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