the Great Wallendas

acrobatic troupe

Also known as: Flying Wallendas, the Wallenda Family

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July 23, 2026

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The Great Wallendas were a renowned circus acrobatic troupe, famous for their daring high-wire acts. Founded by Karl Wallenda, the troupe gained international acclaim for complex formations like the three-man-high pyramid and cycling on the high wire. They developed increasingly intricate pyramids, including a seven-person formation, and performed with major circuses like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The troupe experienced tragic accidents, including collapses that resulted in fatalities and severe injuries, and Karl Wallenda himself died in a fall from a high wire.12

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Karl Wallenda
…Rico) was the founder of the Great Wallendas, a circus acrobatic troupe famed for their three-man-high pyramid on the high wire.
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…Rico) was the founder of the Great Wallendas, a circus acrobatic troupe famed for their three-man-high pyramid on the high wire.
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circus
Circus families
…circus families, such as the Wallendas, were still prominent, and they were often responsible for spreading the circus to new parts of the world. For instance, in the early part of the century, the British circus family of Harmston settled in East Asia, and for years their only rival was…
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…circus families, such as the Wallendas, were still prominent, and they were often responsible for spreading the circus to new parts of the world. For instance, in the early part of the century, the British circus family of Harmston settled in East Asia, and for years their only rival was…
Read More

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Star performers
…by Karl Wallenda (1905–78), the Great Wallendas (later Flying Wallendas) joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in 1928 and thrilled audiences by forming human pyramids on the high wire. Emmett Kelly (1898–1979), one of the most famous clowns in history, was a featured performer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum…
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…by Karl Wallenda (1905–78), the Great Wallendas (later Flying Wallendas) joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in 1928 and thrilled audiences by forming human pyramids on the high wire. Emmett Kelly (1898–1979), one of the most famous clowns in history, was a featured performer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum…
Read More