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Michael "Coco" Polakovs is a second generation circus clown. His father, Coco I, was known as the "King of Clowns" in Europe and was decorated by the Queen of England. Coco was born in Riga Latvia, backstage at the circus where his father was performing. Coco grew up around some of the best circus performers in the business. He learned his trade first hand. The family traveled to Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Germany and eventually settled in England. At the age of fourteen, Coco joined Bertram Mills Circus, walking the high stilts, performing on the trampoline and clowning with his father.After going out on his own, Coco was discovered and brought to America by Mills Brothers Circus. In 1961, he joined Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus as a featured act. Coco performed center ring for five seasons before becoming Ringling Brothers' advance clown. As the advance man for the Ringling Show, Coco appeared on many radio and television shows across the nation including The Today Show, What's My Line, To Tell the Truth and Dick Clark's Bandstand. While still on the Ringling Show, Coco also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and in commercials for General Telephone and Volkswagen.In 1966, Coco was contracted by McDonalds Corporation to design Ronald McDonald. Coco designed the outfit and the makeup that is still worn by Ronald McDonald. Coco also appeared in Macy's parade as Ronald McDonald and did the first eight Ronald McDonald television commercials.Since leaving Ringling Brothers in 1971, Coco has performed solo with his son, Coconut, and with the Musical Comix, a music and comedy show designed by Coco, featuring slapstik comedy and a clown band.Coco is a master of slapstick comedy; and due to his natural ability and background, rich with experience, Coco is a master of any situation. He always knows how to make'em laugh. Anyone who has seem him perform can tell you truly, Coco the Clown is a world class entertainer. He was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1991.