James "Jimmy" Cavaretta (born 1949) is an American circus performer, trapeze artist, actor, and model, best known for his work in the famed trapeze act "The Flying Cavarettas," his regular television appearances in the 1960s and 1970s, and his performances as an original headliner at the Circus, Circus hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cavaretta was born in 1949, into a family for their strong circus arts background. He began training in the circus arts in his early childhood and by the age of 15, he was performing in a trapeze act, as "catcher," with his sisters Kandy, Maureen, Molli, and eventual Circus Hall of Fame inductee Terry Cavaretta.[1] In 1968, The Flying Cavarettas became headliners at the newly opened Circus Circus hotel/casino in Las Vegas, marking the peak of their fame.[2]
1966 musical single "I Want to be Free" performed by Jimmy Cavaretta
"The Flying Cavarettas" gained widespread media attention in the 1960s and 70s, including appearances on popular television shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace, and receiving personal praise from Queen Elizabeth II following a command performance in London.[3][2] The siblings' athletic good looks and unique appeal as a teenage trapeze team garnered significant attention from circus aficionados and the general public alike, with Cavaretta quickly emerging as a popular teen idol and pop cultural heartthrob of the day.[4][5]
In 1968, The Flying Cavarettas became headliners at the newly opened Circus Circus hotel/casino in Las Vegas, marking the peak of their fame.[2] When the family's act disbanded, Cavaretta worked as an aerial motorcyclist for Disney on Parade, toured with the Shrine Circus and Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey Circus, and founded "The Flying Medallions" with his wife Judi, sister Maureen, and her husband Barry Mitchell.[6]
Caravetta suffered serious injuries in 1970 after a 35-foot fall resulted in 85 fractures, but recuperated fully.[7][6] He also appeared as one of the "bachelors' on The Dating Game, and made brief forays into acting and modeling, appearing in films and posing fully nude for Playgirl as the magazine's January 1976 centerfold.[6][8]
Following the death of Terry Cavaretta's husband in a plane crash in 1976, he returned to performing with his sister, Terry.[9][10] Their act continued to headline in Las Vegas and toured internationally. In 1984, the siblings won a Silver Clown Award at the International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, presented by Hollywood legend Cary Grant.[9]
Cavaretta retired from performing in the late 1990s but remained active in the circus and Las Vegas performer community.
References
↑Miles, Helen (1965-10-27). "On Top of the World". San Antonio Express. p.10. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
![A yellow record label with black text for the .45/SP vinyl single "I Want to Be Free" performed by Jimmy Cavaretta](#/media/File:Label_for_"I_Want_to_Be_Free"_SP.jpg)