Francis Brunn

Who was Francis Brunn?

Francis Brunn 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 Brothers circus and twice performed for Dwight D. Eisenhower. Brunn retired in 1994.

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 finance Philippe Petit's 1974 walk on a tightrope between the Twin Towers of the New York City's World Trade Center.