The true story of a boy who bravely drew on his artistic talents to become one of the biggest performers of his time―and in doing so saved many lives.
Marcel was born in 1923 in the French city of Strasbourg. He was drawn to the flickering images of Charlie Chaplin in the movies, and he had a gift for imitating the birds around him, the people, and even the wind!
But his safe, creative childhood was shattered by the advent of World War II and the anti-Jewish laws that demonized his Jewish family. Before long his family was forced to flee in the wake of the advancing German army. His artistic talents were applied to forging papers and passports for those trying to escape. He disguised himself as a Scout leader in order to lead younger children over the border to safety, keeping them calm with dancing, singing, and stories told in mime. Even border guards were swayed and distracted by his entertaining antics.
Surviving the war, this talented young boy became renowned around the world as Marcel Marceau, the most famous mime of the twentieth century.
