Italo Fornasari, one of the circus world’s most esteemed comedic talents, and his family have influenced the art of clowning in virtually every field of entertainment. Benefiting from Italo’s comical antics, the family, including Italo’s wife, Anita, daughter, Rosa, and sons, Doady, Benni and Picin, helped popularize the European style of clowning in the U.S. with such routines as their musical comedy and trampoline acts. Highly regarded abroad, the Fornasaris won a Gold Medal at London’s 1979 Circus World Championships. A year later they were awarded the Prize of Monaco at the Monte Carlo and performed for Pope John Paul II at Vatican City.