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Vince Bruce Obituary

Vince Bruce, The Wizard of Whips and Ropes, died at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer in his home in New Berlin, Wisconsin on September 24th, 2011. Vince was a legendary circus, variety and rodeo performer, widely considered the best trick roper of this generation.
Born in Chipping Norton, near Oxford in England, Vince learned to spin ropes at an early age from his father, who had befriended Tex McLeod, an American Wild West star who had settled in England in 1914. Tex was an inspiration for Vince and under the watchful eye of his father, Vince, left handed by birth, became ambidextrous with the ropes. At a very young age he began to perform his rope act at Billy Smarts Children's Circus and in local clubs. At the age of 16, Vince went to France to portray the comic strip character Lucky Luke in a western themed amusement park. He continued working in circuses and by 19 had branched out to the international variety and nightclub circuit.
He first came to the United States in 1983 as a halftime act with the Harlem Globetrotters. That year he also won the International Trick and Fancy Roper Association Championships in Fort Worth, Texas. He continued to be featured in circuses here, both with Circus Flora and the Big Apple Circus in 1989. When he heard that Tommy Tune was directing The Will Rogers Follies on Broadway he wrote to him, offering his services, as Will Rogers was perhaps the most well known roper of all time. Tune met with him and, after witnessing his act, created a part for him as the Roper. The show won numerous Tony Awards. In 1991, he also set the Guinness Book of World Records for Texas Skips with 4,011.
During that period Vince met his wife, Annie Dubats, a singer in New York City's downtown art and music scene. Moving eventually to Wisconsin, and while continuing to perform around the world, they trained two horses for a new rope act on horseback that they performed for many years in rodeos across the U.S. and Canada.
Tall, thin, with a weather beaten face and an English accent, Vince's high energy act, a mixture of skill and comedy, was beloved by all. Vince was featured on countless television shows around the world. After being diagnosed with cancer last year, Vince continued to work, performing with Circus Flora and the St. Louis Symphony in January and with James Taylor at Carnegie Hall in April. His last performance was at a rodeo in Texas in June.
Vince is survived by his wife Annie, his mother Penny, a brother Andy, two nephews and a niece, his horses and two dogs. He will be missed by his many close friends and the legions of those who worked with and learned from him. They will never forget his generosity, his incredible talent, his fine-tuned sense of humor, and his unparalleled verve for an energetic and committed life.

Published by New York Times from Oct. 26 to Oct. 27, 2011.
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A friend who will be missed.

Buffalo Bill Leighton

Friend

October 22, 2022

Vince and I were in Dodge City, Kansas, for a rodeo. We went to the old, reconstructed Dodge City mainstreet and into a bar. Vince limbered up a rope and did an impromptu performance for the delighted tourists. It was magical. He always put a smile on my face, and I miss his humor and his wide-eyed love of all things western. He was a master of not only ropes and whips, but of life.

Gavin

Friend

October 20, 2022

I am proud to say Bruce was a friend . Always one that could be counted upon.

Buffalo Bill Leighton

Friend

October 20, 2021

Vince was a good friend and a man to ride the ridge with.

William Leighton

October 20, 2020

e taught me how to trick rope for an Okahoma! European tour. VERY kind and generous man- I'll never forget him and his incredible talent.

Gary Martin

Student

July 21, 2020

I always think of Vince with gratitude. He was a very inspiring and generous spirit. I hold him close to my heart.

Marie Brown

Friend

June 15, 2020

Wish you were still here...

Freddy Frindt

Friend

June 12, 2020

I first met Vince in St. Louis, where he was performing with a small circus and I was doing a stage show. I was very impressed with his act, and when I met him again a few years later when we were both in The Will Rogers Follies, it was obviously a friendship that was meant to be. Our dressing rooms were next to each other, and he taught me much about rope handling, as I was understudying Will Rogers. The fact that I was able to do the tricks when I went on for Will is entirely due to Vince's patience and skill in teaching. The bonus was that I got to see Vince perform his wizardry 8 shows a week for over year. We shared a lot of good times, a lot of laughs, and my wife Rima and I were honored to be witnesses at his and Annie's hitching ceremony at City Hall. One of our sadnesses is that the two of them moved out west, and we rarely had the opportunity to see them. We will keep Vince in our hearts as long as they beat.

April 25, 2018

Vince was one of my trick roping teachers, my inspiration to do what I'm doing now. I wouldn't have my career without the teachings of the best western artist of our time. And what a wonderful generous human being. The world lost so much when we lost Vince. There will never be another. Thank you Vince, thank you.

Chris McDaniel

September 24, 2012

Vince was and always will be a true icon to the western world of entertainment. I am honored to call him my friend. I looked up to him as a kid learning to trick rope, then later in life got to know him. Vince Bruce will always be my hero. I think about him every night on stage as he helped me learn certain tricks that I wouldn't be performing today had it not been for Vince. God bless you Vince! Love and lassos, - Trevor Dreher

Trevor Dreher

September 23, 2012

Annie, I just learned of Vince's passing and I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. I met Vince when he was 16 and my father was serving in the Army in Frankfurt, Germany. I thought he was great for what he did at such a young age. Doing a search for him one day I found he was living here in the US and emailed him and was shocked to hear from him. I know he is in heaven still doing his tricks and will keep all up there happy as he did here on earth. Again I am sorry for your loss.

Carol Young

August 11, 2012

I knew this guy when we were children in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. My family was great friends with his family, particularly my father and his father. There was always laughter along with the entertainment. I miss them all, as a group and individuals. Vince rest in peace, you have friends all over the world thinking of you. Annie, look after the dogs and horses because like me that would be very important for Vince.

Jane Weston

August 10, 2012

His great nephew and my son, Henry Bruce, will one day come to learn of my pride & privilege of being able to introduce him to his Great Uncle Vince, one of my very few great inspirations.

Jason Bruce

May 31, 2012

I knew Vince's death yesterday and I could get an information of him from his wife Annie.
He was an old friend of mine and sometime we worked together also.
On my age, ready to go anytime but for him, too early to leave.
I' m deeply sad to lost a Great Artist.
March 3rd, 2012 Koma Zuru

Koma Zuru

March 3, 2012

I met Vince in a songwriting class I was in with his wife, Annie. He talked to our class about how he prepared for a performance. I'll never forget how personable, soft-spoken, yet charismatic he was. My deepest sympathy to Annie and family.

Karla Owsianny

February 24, 2012

I am glad I was fortunate enough to meet Vince and Annie. I saw Vince perform and was astounded by his skill and delighted by his charm and humor. He was a true gentleman as well. My deepest sympathy to Annie and all of his family and friends.

Stephanie Kasper

February 19, 2012

We just learned of Vince's passing and were so saddened to hear that the world has lost one of the greatest western arts performers. We had the pleasure of meeting Vince when our 14 year old son was just beginning his career as a western arts performer, and he was so encouraging and helpful to him. Vince not only had to master the whips and ropes...but he also had to understand the physics of them. That is what separated him from everyone else. He will be deeply missed. It was an honor to have met him and I hope our son will carry on the western arts in his memory. All of our best to Annie.

Mike, Linda, and Trevor Poindexter

January 22, 2012

I'll remember all the good times we shared - life shined brightly whenever Vince came to visit. His talent was huge and so was his heart. I am glad I got to write his story and tell his tale...there'll never be another authentic cowboy quite like Vince Bruce.

Gavin Ehringer

December 16, 2011

I miss Vince very much, even though I knew him only for a very short while and never saw him again after he and Annie left NYC in the late 80's I think. We all were in a singing workshop together. Vince was a very radiant presence, which transcended the fact that maybe he didn't quite sing in tune. He had that rare gift of being real, unaffected, spontaneous, relaxed. That was probably because he was a already a great and very accomplished artist, in his own field, and knew all about mastering energy. When it was his turn to sing, he always had our complete and entire attention, and he always touched our hearts. Thank you, dear Vince.

Marie Annick Brown

December 15, 2011

Vince Bruce was the greatest trick roper I have ever seen and a true friend that I will always miss. Buck Brannaman. We were so blessed to have had Vince in our lives and we will cherish our memories of him. thank you Annie for taking such good care of him, we love you, Mary

December 15, 2011

Vince was the Roper, a Gentleman and an entertainer. We were proud to call him a friend. Dr. Gail and Buffalo Bill Leighton, Navarre,Fl.

December 15, 2011

I always loved watching him perform! RIP and God speed...

Michele Burgard

December 15, 2011

Vince was much more than all that was just said... being a great and genuine person, who truly cared for others! It was an honor that our paths crossed even if it was briefly.-

Loretta,S.L. Pemberton

December 15, 2011

I met Vince and Annie and got to work a lot of performances with them one summer and enjoyed every minute of the time we had together. I've in all my years of rodeo have never met another trick roper who had such a diverse talent with the ropes, it was uncanny his ability to control his trick roping. Besides all that he was a great person and a wonderful friend to me. D.J. Jorgensen Stillwater, Oklahoma

December 14, 2011

What a lovely person -- the trick roping world has lost a great talent! Our thoughts are prayers are with his family...James and Lisa Fergason, Sanger, Texas

December 14, 2011

This GENTLEMAN was and to me always will be "The Best Trick Roper in the World" may he Rest in Peace

Bud Edgar

December 14, 2011

Simply put, I was a Vince Bruce fan for many years. When I finally had an opportunity to meet him I was impressed with his kindness and generosity. Rest in peace my dear man...

Robb Zeiser

December 14, 2011

Vince really knew how to "entertain". We enjoyed him and Annie so much while they were with us in tho rodeo world.

Ike and Robert Sankey

December 14, 2011

Kindest, gentlest, funniest, sweetest, nicest, most compassionate, dearest, best--- Vince was a superlative person and performer. He was a wonderful friend. It was an honor to know him and perform with him. Annie and Vince made the coolest couple. I miss Vince being on the planet. All my love to Annie.

Jessica Hentoff

November 22, 2011

Vince was a wonderful and special person. I loved watching his act at Ft. Liberty in Florida. He was a good friend!

Ellie Potts Barrett

November 21, 2011

We fell in love with Vince the first minute we met. Being from France and Belgium, his uncanny resemblance to Lucky Luke was just another endearing attribute. We didn't get a chance to spend a lot of time with him, and lovely Annie, but he was the type of person that you cannot forget. We certainly feel very blessed to have crossed path several times.
Our thoughts and prayers go to Annie and family.

claire & Jean-Claude Kortleven

November 21, 2011

Vince was a precious part of our show in Florida for a long time. His skill and humor were a standout. He will be missed.

Ron Schneider

November 21, 2011

Thanks to Michael for stepping up

Annie Dubats

November 21, 2011

Vince loved his Annie, and Annie loved her Vince, and I so proud of both of them for living so damn well!

Ann Shea

November 2, 2011

The tribute befits the man: well writ, engaging and one for whom art was simply and strongly his life.

Karen Gersch

October 29, 2011

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