Bello Nock, often known simply as Bello, is an American daredevil clown and circus performer. Nock has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for his highwire walk over a cruise ship. He has performed several stunts in New York City, including rappelling off of Madison Square Garden and hanging from a helicopter over the Statue of Liberty. Although he performs without the traditional clown makeup, Nock's signature look revolves around his foot-tall, strawberry blond quiff. He was included in Times list of "America's Best Artists and Entertainers.
Early life
Born in Sarasota, Florida, Nock is a seventh-generation circus performer, a descendant of the family that founded Switzerland's famous Circus Nock in the 18th century, Nock began performing at age three, playing the baby on the burning house in Disney on Parade's "Dumbo's Circus". At six, Nock played Michael Darling in the touring version of Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby. Bello first performed his family's trademark sway pole act at the age of 15. He traveled and performed with his family all around the world.
Career
In 2001, Nock joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as their headliner. Bello completed four tours spanning nearly a decade with Ringling Bros., the last being Bellobration. Nock was the first person in Ringling's 146-year history to have a production named after him. Producer Kenneth Feld said Bello: "is unlike anyone in the history of circus, a once in a lifetime performer..." In 2001, Time Magazine included Bello in their list of "America's Best Artists and Entertainers", calling him "America's Best Clown". Nock calls himself a Comic Daredevil. He is known for his foot-tall, natural red hair and his unique combination of comedy and circus stunts. In 2004, the Daily News said that Nock "might be the greatest athlete ever to set foot in the World's Most Famous Arena". A YouTube video of Bello hanging from a helicopter by one foot has received tens of millions of views. On December 5, 2013, Bello performed as a guest playing guitar with Cheap Trick in Sarasota, Florida, at the Van Wezel P.A.H. to a standing ovation. Bello has starred in and produced several cirque-style shows during the summer season at the Beau Rivage casino resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. On June 3, 2014, Bello announced he would attempt "The Ultimate" stunt – 15 death-defying stunts in under 15 minutes. He made the announcement on Good Morning America while balanced on a highwire above Times Square, and then proceeded to set a world record by staying balanced on the wire for a full eight hours of media interviews. During the summer of 2014, Bello continued his training for The Ultimate. On June 6, 2014, he practiced with a wire walk across the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium – even stopping to take selfies and live tweet from his phone. The full stunt has not been performed in public as of 2020. In 2015, Bello was part of the 100th episode of the American reality television seriesImpractical Jokers, "Live Punishment Special". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzYJHUBp8wk In the summer of 2017, Feld Entertainment and Opportunity Nocks presented the IncrediBello stage show at the Historic Asolo Theater in Sarasota, Florida. On June 20, 2017, Bello auditioned for America's Got Talent and performed atop a sway pole. For his next performance during the Judge Cuts round, Bello shot himself out of a cannon and over a helicopter, successfully completing the stunt. Although he was eliminated during Judge Cuts, Bello was brought back for the first week of the live shows as a wild card, performing on the Wheel of Death. On June 19, 2018, his daughter, Annaliese Nock who performs under the name DareDaughter, auditioned for the show by surviving an exploding coffin which she laid in and was sent through by the judges. In August of 2018, Nock's event and entertainment company, Opportunity Nocks, co-produced Microsoft's largest annual customer party at their INSPIRE conference by taking over Las Vegas's Fremont Street with over 40 different performers and interactive events. In the spring of 2019 Bello performed on World's Got Talent in China. The program broadcast was viewed by nearly 200 million viewers. He also took part in , together with daughter, Annaliese, where they reached the finals and finished in the Top 10. https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-08-31/who-are-britains-got-talent-the-champions-finalists-bello-and-annaliese-nock/ Nock regularly performs at some of Europe's premiere Christmas shows like Stuttgart's Weltweihnacht Circus in Germany, the annual Christmas show at the Carre Theater in Amsterdam and Conelli in Zurich. Along side his daughter, Annaliese Nock, Bello offers one-of-a-kind experiences, training and events at their facility, "The Funny Farm", located at 10033 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida 34240. In June 2019, A&E Network announced they had ordered a stunt series, "Impossible Live" set to launch with "Volcano Walk Live", a live three-hour primetime television special featuring Nock in an untethered tightrope walk over one of the world’s most active volcanoes. https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/ae-impossible-live-volcano-walk-live-1203249334/ A&E halted production of their LIVE series in the midst of the Corona crisis. Nock has not stated whether he still plans to attempt a world record wire walk over an active volcano. In 2020, Nock unveiled a new YouTube Channel where he regularly releases family friendly content. In July of 2020, America's Got Talent announced that father and daughterdare devil duo Bello & Annaliese Nock would be appearing together this season. He is a born-again Christian.
