John Ringling North

John Ringling North (14 August 1903 - 4 June 1985) was the owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1937 to 1943 and from 1947 to 1967. In 1967 he sold the circus to Irvin Feld. He was born on 14 August 14, 1903 in Baraboo, Wisconsin. He took over as head of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus after the death of John Nicholas Ringling in 1936. During World War II he worked for the Office of Strategic Services. He parachuted into France as part of Operation Jedburgh. He later married the actress Germaine Aussey. In 1956 he switched from tents to air conditioned venues. In 1967 he sold the circus to Irvin Feld. He died on June 4, 1985 in Brussels, Belgium.