Overview
Michael Polakovs, known in the United States as Coco the Clown, was born in Riga, Latvia on 23 February 1923 and died in the United States on 6 December 2009.
Career
Raised in a family of performers—his father had performed as Coco the Clown in Britain—Polakovs developed a career in circus and variety entertainment. He worked extensively as a professional clown, bringing a European tradition of physical comedy and costume to American audiences.
He is also remembered for portraying Ronald McDonald in promotional appearances for the McDonald’s fast-food chain, a role that increased his national visibility.
Legacy
Polakovs is noted for blending classic clown techniques with modern media appearances, influencing later generations of entertainers and preserving aspects of the circus craft in popular culture.