Biography Rafael Padilla Details Online

Rafael Padilla

Known For: Acting
Birthday: 1865-01-01
Place of Birth:
Also Known As: Chocolat, Rafael de Leios, Rafael Patodos, Rafael

Biography:Chocolat was the stage name of Rafael Padilla (ca. 1865/68 – 4 November 1917), a clown who performed in a Paris circus around the turn of the 20th century. Rafael was of Afro-Cuban descent and was one of the earliest successful black entertainers in modern France. He was the first black clown to play a lead role in a circus pantomime act, and with his longtime partner George Foottit they revolutionized the art of clowning by pairing the sophisticated white clown with the foolish auguste clown.