The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation™ was created to formally honor and recognize those persons who have made a significant contribution to the art and culture of the circus over the span of a career. Located in sunny Sarasota, Florida, a city that is brimming with rich circus history, the “Ring” now boasts over 150 inductees from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds, all directly connected by their incredible achievements and pioneering journeys within the circus arts. Once a class is recognized, each inductee is honored with a bronze circus wagon wheel plaque placed among their fellow Ring members at Sarasota’s Saint Armands Circle. The 2023 induction ceremony recently took place on February 4th and was captured on video for distribution to the worldwide circus arts community. The Circus Ring Of Fame Foundation is proud to partner with Circus Talk for the official premiere of the video on April 14, 2023.

The 2023 Circus Ring of Fame inductees are:

1. Marco and Paulo Lorador, a.k.a. The Alexis Brothers, are the phenomenal duo hand-balancing act that has been globally featured in several productions, such as “The Greatest Show on Earth” and Cirque du Soliel’s Mystère, where they performed for countless fans worldwide. 
2. Jeanette Williamsis a professional equestrian, circus shows producer, prominent talent agent, and ninth-generation circus performer that has awed and inspired global audiences with her incredible work and unbreakable devotion to her animals, her fellow performers, and her craft.
3. Peggy Williams made history by becoming the first female clown and has enhanced her world as a community outreach educator and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Blue Unit performance director. Her work has impacted millions through her bountiful generosity and the steadfast goodwill she has brought to not only the worldwide circus industry but to the audiences and communities who have had the joy of experiencing it.
4. Reverend Father Jerry Hoganis the beloved late circus priest cherished by millions for his spreading the “Circus Ministry” and his irreplaceable contributions to the retired circus community by leading the establishment of the Circus and Traveling Shows Retirement Project.

In addition to honoring these four incredible circus figures, two young performers were also presented with awards. The Circus Ring Of Fame’s Generation NeXt award is bestowed upon performers who have significantly impacted the circus community and represent the exciting future of the performing circus arts and culture. 2023’s honorees include the eighth-generation circus contortionist and first-generation hand-balancerDaniella Arata Quiroga andAnnaliese Nock, the thrill-seeking and Guinness World Record-Holding “Dare Daughter” of daredevil clown and circus stuntman Bello Nock. 

Alongside this year’s Circus Ring of Fame Foundation’s Inductee Ceremony, we at CircusTalk presented an award of our own: we introduced the first-ever CircusTalk Members’ Voice Award, an honor that recognizes a circus artist whose work demonstrates courageous expression, social relevance, and artistic and technical acumen.Wellington Lima was named the recipient of this prestigious accomplishment.

The full-length show of the 2023 Circus Ring of Fame Induction Ceremony is now available to watch!

Nominations for the Circus Ring of Fame class of 2024 are now open!

To nominate a candidate please visit our website,www.circusringoffame.org, and click on ABOUT, then click on NOMINATE, and download the SUBMISSION FORM.
Return the completed form to[email protected] with any supporting photos, video links, and articles of the candidate.

Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2023.