Marcel Marceau, 1923-2007

Marcel Marceau's most famous character was Bip, based on Pip in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations Photograph: David Hecker/Getty

Bip made his first appearance in 1947 Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext Collection

Bip was a free spirit 'who can sometimes win but is most often beaten down' Photograph: AP

Marceau toured the world with his creation Bip Photograph: AP

Marceau is also famed for his Pantomimes de Style, developed from mime exercises that included the infamous glass box Photograph: AP

Marceau rehearses a new show in Paris in 1978 Photograph: AP

Marceau did not mind using music for atmosphere ... Photograph: PA

... but believed that mime should always be wordless Photograph: AP

His style hardly changed over 40 years Photograph: AP

The old favourites were still drawing crowds in 2006 Photograph: Philippe Driss/EPA

Although famous for working alone, here is Marceau in a rare skit with entertainer Maurice Chevalier Photograph: AP

And here he is with Michael Jackson, who asked him to create 'the lost choreography of my childhood' Photograph: Kathy Willens/AP

The man behind the mask Photograph: Olivier Boitet/AP

Marcel Marceau died at the age of 84 on September 22 2007 Photograph: Laurent Emmanuel/AP