Who is Tony Steele | Trapeze Artist
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Flying Trapeze Acrobat Joins Circus Ring of Fame
Al Light of Tallahassee, Florida, introduced the inductee and spoke about Steele's dedication to educating and training young trapeze artists. Then emcee Chuck Sidlow placed the Ring of Fame medal on the inductee.
In his acceptance speech, Steele told the crowd about falling in love with circus at age 15. Interestingly, Norma "La Norma" Fox, a great aerialist who inspired Steele as a teenager, helped sponsor his induction to the Ring of Fame.
Steele earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records when he became the first trapeze artist to complete 3 1/2 back somersaults to a legs catch while performing in Durango, Mexico in 1962. He held the record for 20 years.
Al and Lin Light, Maureen Brunsdale of Minier, Illinois, and Jeannie Schulz of Santa Rosa, California, sponsored Steele's induction with contributors Norma Fox, Peter Gold, Jessica Hentoff and Les and Judith Smout.
Photo: Elizabeth Wery
2010 Induction Ceremony
Circus Ring of Fame
1-3:30pm
Sunday, January 17, 2010
St. Armands Circle Park
Sarasota, Florida 34236 USA
Circus Ring of Fame
Tony Steele
2010 Circus Ring of Fame Inductee
Maureen Brunsdale, Ring of Famer Tony Steele and Al Light admire the unveiled Ring of Fame plaque. Lin Light stands just behind Steele. Shelagh Sloan and Ring of Famers Rudy and Sue Lenz are at the right side of the photo.
Photo: Elizabeth Wery
About Tony Steele
- Tony Steele Interview
- An interview with the legendary trapeze artist Tony Steele / August 2001How did you get started?I ran away and joined the circus. The Ringling Brothers came to Boston Garden every year. I was fifteen when I saw my first circus and was especially impressed by a charming young lady that worked under t
- History of Trapeze | Trapeze High
- Our own Legend - Tony Steel: He is regarded as the best flying trapeze artist of his generation and one of the best in world. Ever. While performing in Durango, Mexico in 1962, with Lee Stath catching, Tony became the first trapeze artist to complete 3 1/2 back somersaults to a legs catch. This earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Worlds Records, pushing past the triple somersault barrier, the Salto Mortale, set by Ernest and Charles Clarke in 1909. Tonys record remained unsurpassed until the completion of the quadruple somersault by Miguel and Juan Vazquez in 1982.
- Tony Steele
- TRAPEZE CLUB at Stone Mountain Farm proudly presents Artist in Residence & Master Teacher Tony
Steele - World famous trapeze artist. - From Cage of Steel to Ring of Fame | SRQ DAILY 12/23
- [O]ne of six inductees whose name will soon be immortalized on St. Armands Circle.
- Tony Steele & Maureen Brunsdale | Flickr Photo
- Tony Steele Reception at Milner Library Special Collections, Illinois State University, April 18, 2008.
- Dreaming in Circus - Tony Steele | Ring of Fame on Vimeo
- 23rd Annual Induction Ceremony for The Ring of Fame, St. Armands Circle. Sarasota, FL. January 17, 2010. Tony's induction sponsored by La Norma Fox, Al and Lin Light - Florida State University Flying High Circus, Maureen Brunsdale - Illinois State University, Milner Library, Special Collections, Jean SSchulz - flyingace.net, Peter Gold - trapeze-experience.com. Stills from the event. daflye.net/photography/RingFame-01-17-10/
2010 Circus Ring of Fame Plaque
Inscription Transcribed Below
TONY STEELE
IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY HE WAS IN THE TOP RANK
OF THE WORLD'S FLYING TRAPEZE ELITE. DURING A FLYING CAREER THAT
BEGAN AT AGE 15 AND HAS CONTINUED WELL INTO HIS 70'S HE WAS THE
FIRST IN HISTORY TO COMPLETE SUCH TRICKS AS THE DOUBLE LAYOUT,
THE TWO-AND-A-HALF WITH FULL TWIST AND THE THREE-AND-A-HALF
SOMERSAULT TO A CATCHER, A FEAT THAT WAS NOT SURPASSED FOR 20
YEARS. HONORED IN 2004 BY THE WORLD ACROBATICS SOCIETY FOR HIS
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FLYING TRAPEZE, HE IS JOYOUSLY ENTHUSIASTIC
ABOUT THE PLEASURES AND VIRTUES OF THE AERIAL ARTFORM WHICH HE
LOVES.
MAUREEN BRUNSDALE JEANNIE SCHULZ AL & LIN LIGHT
LA NORMA PETER GOLD LES & JUDITH SMOUT
2010 Circus Ring of Fame
Induction Ceremony in St Armands Circle Park
High-Stakes Performing on Solo Trapeze
One man's amazing journey
Dreams of the Solo Trapeze: Offstage with the Cirque du Soleil
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Please Add Your Congratulations
Applause for Tony Steele
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Tim Cooney
Jan 15, 2011 @ 12:21 pm | delete
- Don't know if you remember me. I was a clown on the Miller Johnson/Vargas show with you back in the 70s. I went on to train elephants and then changed careers and have worked in the film business.I last visited you when you worked in Reno. I have thought of you often and wish you my sincere congradulations you deserve it. If you want to contact me filmguy695@gmail.com
Tim Cooney
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d-artist
Jun 5, 2010 @ 9:15 am | delete
- what a nice dedication...and for him to be able to be there and enjoy the Induction ceremony...I will lensroll this to "my Mom Micky's" lens where I have some of her Trapeze experience information
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JaguarJulie
Nov 2, 2009 @ 7:48 am | delete
- Congratulations to Tony Steele -- This is my introduction to this circus performer.
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