In this episode of The Roe Show, I talk with Richie Gaona, trapeze artist, stuntman, coach and a member of the world renowned "Flying Gaona's" Trapeze family of acrobats. We discuss what it was like to be part of a circus family growing up, how he teaches trapeze to young artists and how he became involved in the stunt business. Richie once gave me a trapeze lesson and it was a ton of fun and much harder than it might look!!

Richie grew up in Venice, Florida, attending Epiphany Catholic School and Venice High School (Class of 1976). His family worked with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus during most of that time period. Venice was the Winter home of the Circus during that time. The Gaona family actually lived in Venice before being hired by Ringling Brothers, not known by the home town Circus, and were recruited while they were touring Europe. The Flying Gaonas - father Victor Gaona, sons Armando Gaona, Tito Gaona and Richie Gaona, sister Chela Gaona and cousin Lalo Gaona - are one of the greatest trapeze acts of all time. Known as the First Family of the Air, they received the prestigious Golden Clown Award as top performers at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, presented by The Royal Family of Monaco.

The Flying Gaonas are circus royalty. For decades, the Mexican family of trapeze flyers wowed the world over with their flawless form and extraordinary grace. Born into a circus family that traces its roots back to the Circo Gaona y León in Mexico, the trapeze family had in Victor Gaona Murillo a natural leader. Three of his kids would first develop a trampoline act called the Titos. Together, Chela, Mando, and Tito mastered the trampoline and would soon be practicing on the trapeze in their spare time. Richie is known for performing his amazing stunts and also as a stunt rigger in movies such as; Desperado (1995), Clear and Present Danger (1994) & How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)... to name a few. His most current project is Emerald Run (2020). In addition to his stunt work, Richie spent the ’80s working with Circus of the Stars, an annual CBS show that got your favorite TV and movie stars to perform circus acts that ran for close to 20 years. He’s also found a way to keep the art of trapeze alive by teaching classes out of his California home to a wide variety of different people, from celebrities interested in training to kids out of a drug rehab program in the state. The family was also featured in a documentary film, 'The Flight Fantastic'.

For more information on Richie, follow him at:

IG:  www.instagram.com/trapezekid

Website: www.flyingtrapeze.com

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