About Francis Brunn
Francis Brunn, 81, German juggler.
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Full Biography
|Francis Brunn (15 November 1922 in Aschaffenburg, Germany – 28 May 2004 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany) was a German juggler.
Brunn took up juggling in 1939, joining a traveling show that played all over Europe. He moved to America to join the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He twice performed for President Dwight D. Eisenhower and gave a Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth in 1964. He performed in Judy Garland's show at the Palace Theatre in New York in 1967.
Though he is believed to have been the first performer to juggle 10 rings, he was best known for his seemingly simple, though very difficult routines, often involving a single ball, that required great control.
Brunn helped Philippe Petit financially for the 1974 walk on a tightrope between the Twin Towers of the New York City's World Trade Center.
Brunn retired in 1994.
Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Brunn
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 15 questions
Questions drawn from Francis Brunn's archived record and the sources above.
1.In what city was Francis Brunn born?
- A.Berlin
- B.Aschaffenburgcorrect
- C.Frankfurt am Main
- D.Munich
Francis Brunn was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany, on 15 November 1922.
Source: biographical summary
2.In what year did Francis Brunn begin his juggling career?
- A.1939correct
- B.1994
- C.1964
- D.1922
Francis Brunn took up juggling in 1939 by joining a traveling show.
Source: early career section
3.Which American circus did Francis Brunn join after moving to the United States?
- A.Cirque du Soleil
- B.Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
- C.Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus
- D.Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circuscorrect
Francis Brunn moved to America specifically to join the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Source: career section
4.In what city did Francis Brunn die?
- A.London
- B.Aschaffenburg
- C.New York City
- D.Frankfurt am Maincorrect
Francis Brunn died on 28 May 2004 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Source: biographical summary
5.For which United States President did Francis Brunn perform twice?
- A.Franklin D. Roosevelt
- B.Harry S. Truman
- C.John F. Kennedy
- D.Dwight D. Eisenhowercorrect
Francis Brunn performed for President Dwight D. Eisenhower on two separate occasions.
Source: career highlights
6.In what year did Francis Brunn perform a Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth?
- A.1964correct
- B.1974
- C.1967
- D.1939
Francis Brunn gave a Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth in 1964.
Source: career highlights
7.Francis Brunn performed in a show at the Palace Theatre in New York in 1967 featuring which star?
- A.Philippe Petit
- B.Lottie Brunn
- C.Judy Garlandcorrect
- D.Marlene Dietrich
Francis Brunn performed in Judy Garland's show at the Palace Theatre in New York in 1967.
Source: career highlights
8.How many rings is Francis Brunn believed to have been the first performer to juggle?
- A.12
- B.10correct
- C.9
- D.8
Francis Brunn is believed to have been the first performer to juggle 10 rings.
Source: juggling style
9.Francis Brunn provided financial help to Philippe Petit for which 1974 event?
- A.A juggling championship in New York
- B.A walk between the Twin Towerscorrect
- C.A circus tour in Germany
- D.A performance at the Palace Theatre
Francis Brunn helped Philippe Petit financially for the 1974 tightrope walk between the Twin Towers.
Source: charitable contributions
10.In what year did Francis Brunn retire from performing?
- A.1974
- B.1967
- C.2004
- D.1994correct
Francis Brunn retired from his juggling career in 1994.
Source: career end
11.What was the specific date of Francis Brunn's birth?
- A.28 May 1922
- B.15 November 1922correct
- C.28 May 1939
- D.15 November 1939
Francis Brunn was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany, on 15 November 1922.
Source: biographical summary
12.Francis Brunn's early juggling career involved traveling across which region?
- A.Europecorrect
- B.South America
- C.Asia
- D.North America
After taking up juggling in 1939, Francis Brunn joined a traveling show that played all over Europe.
Source: early career section
13.What was the date of Francis Brunn's death?
- A.28 May 2004correct
- B.28 May 1994
- C.15 November 1994
- D.15 November 2004
Francis Brunn died on 28 May 2004 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Source: biographical summary
14.Which person is listed in the 'See also' section of the biography as a relation or peer?
- A.Dwight D. Eisenhower
- B.Lottie Brunncorrect
- C.Judy Garland
- D.Philippe Petit
Lottie Brunn is listed in the 'See also' section of the provided biography.
Source: See also section
15.Where is the biography of Francis Brunn specifically hosted online according to the text?
- A.Ringling Bros. official site
- B.IMDb
- C.The Juggling Hall of Famecorrect
- D.The New York Palace Theatre archives
The text references a biography of Brunn at the Juggling Hall of Fame.
Source: External links section
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