Guy Laliberte, OCCQ (created September 2, 1959) is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, poker player, space tourist, cofounder as well as the present CEO of Cirque du Soleil. Having an estimated net worth of US$2.6 billion (as of March 2012), Laliberte was rated by Forbes as the 11th most affluent Canadian and 459th in the world.
Guy Laliberte co-founded Quebec’s first globally famous circus with Gilles Ste-Croix and a little number of co-workers. Cirque du Soleil was initially set up as a one-year job. On the other hand, the authorities of Quebec needed a touring event that will perform in other states. In founding the firm, Guy Laliberte was helped by Gilles Ste-Croix. It’s said that Laliberte is the “daddy” of Cirque du Soleil while Ste Croix is the “grandpa.” Since 1984, Laliberte has participated in the development of each Cirque du Soleil show. Cirque du Soleil is now a sprawling international business, as much in relation to its make-up as in the range of its own actions and influence. The organization now has actions on five continents. Its shows employ about 4,000 individuals from over 40 states and create an estimated annual sales exceeding US$810 million.
co-founder of the now world famous Cirque du Soleil, Professional Poker Player, an entrepreneur, philanthropist,
Nationality
Canadian,
Spouse
Rizia Moreira (m. 1990–2000), Claudia Barilla
Parents
Gaston Laliberté, Blandine Laliberté
TV Shows
High Stakes Poker, All Together Now,
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Trademark
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Co-founder of Cirque du Soleil
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Quote
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Business is difficult. But it could be approached two ways: seriously, or with the same way you're doing your job, with entertainment aspect, with pleasure, with fun. And we decided to try to make it as fun that we do our creativity.
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We're not afraid of risking what was our success yesterday in order to explore some new field. We're adventurous. We like the challenge of unknown territory, unknown artistic field, and that's what stimulates us.
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I am blessed for what I have, but I believed in it from the beginning. Today, the dream is the same: I still want to travel, I still want to entertain, and I most certainly still want to have fun.
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Fact
1
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 6800 Hollywood, California on November 22, 2010.
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Took a three-month training course in Russia that included classes in astronautics and space navigation for his space flight on the Russian "Soyuz" spaceship in 2009.
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Conducted private research while orbiting Earth for twelve days as a guest member of the Russian "Soyuz" space crew. [September 2009]
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Paid 35 million dollars for orbiting Earth for twelve days on the Russian "Soyuz" spaceship as a private participant and researcher. [September 2009]
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Promoted his company, Cirque du Soleil, while orbiting Earth for twelve days as a guest member of the Russian "Soyuz" space flight, for which he paid 35 million dollars. [September 2009]
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Spent twelve days on the Russian "Soyuz" spaceship as a private participant and researcher. [September 2009]
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Played poker and carried some private research while orbiting Earth for twelve days as a guest member of the Russian "Soyuz" space crew, for which he paid 35 million dollars in three payments. [September 2009]
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In 2001, he received the Harbourfront honor for creative people.
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He was honored by Beverly Hills, California in 2003.
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He was named one of Time magazine's "World's Most Influential People" in 2004.
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By 2004, Laliberté was number 514 on the "Forbes Billionaires List" and number 75 on Canada's "List of Richest People".
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He was awarded the OC (Officer of the Order of Canada) by the Governor General of Canada on October 30, 2003 for his services to the performing arts.
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Cirque du Soleil: Delirium
2008
founder: Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil: Kooza
2008
Video founder: Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
2006
Video founder: Cirque du Soleil
Saltimbanco
1997
TV Movie documentary concept / founder: Cirque du Soliel
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Touch the Sky
2012
Documentary idea
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
2006
Video script and quote selection
Cirque du Soleil: Midnight Sun
2004
TV Movie idea
La magie continue
1986
TV Movie creator
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Cirque du Soleil: KÀ
2007
TV Movie supervising producer
Cirque du Soleil II: A New Experience
1991
TV Movie documentary producer
La magie continue
1986
TV Movie executive producer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Knocked Up
2007
thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
A Thrilling Ride Through Kooza
2007
Video documentary
Himself - Founder
Imagine
2006
TV Series documentary
Himself
KÀ Extreme: Cirque du Soleil
2005
Video documentary
Himself
60 Minutes Wednesday
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
60 Minutes
2005-2013
TV Series documentary
Himself - Founder, Cirque du Soleil (segment "Michael Jackson") / Himself - Founder (segment "Cirque Du Soleil")
Touch the Sky
2012
Documentary
Himself
Formula 1: BBC Sport
2010
TV Series
Himself - Cirque du Soleil (segment: F1 Forum)
Poker After Dark
2008
TV Series
Himself
All Together Now
2008
Documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
60 Minutes
2005-2013
TV Series documentary
Himself - Founder, Cirque du Soleil (segment "Michael Jackson") / Himself - Founder, Cirque du Soleil (segment "Cirque du Soleil") / Himself - Founder (segment "Cirque Du Soleil")