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Brian Dewhurst puffs up his hair and applies some light make-up while preparing for one of two nightly performances as Brian Le Petit in Cirque Du Soleil's Mystere, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Treasure Island hotel-casino in Las Vegas. Performing as a clown Julie Jacobson, Associated Press
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In this 1974 photo, Brian Dewhurst performs as the clown Brian Andro with the Circus Krone in Munich, Germany. After playing a clown for the last 60 years in various acts around the globe, Dewhurst, now 80 years old, performs as clown Brian Le Petit in Ci Courtesy of Nicky Dewhurst, Associated Press
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Brian Dewhurst begs for a kiss from a member of the audience while performing as the clown Brian Le Petit in Cirque du Soleil's Mystere, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Treasure Island hotel-casino in Las Vegas. Performing as a clown over the last 60 years, Dew Julie Jacobson, Associated Press
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In a 1966 photo, Brian Dewhurst is seen with his wife Julie Dey Dewhurst at the Hansa Theatre in Hamburg, Germany. After playing a clown for the last 60 years in various acts around the globe, Dewhurst, now 80 years old, performs as clown Brian Le Petit i Courtesy of Nicky Dewhurst, Associated Press
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Brian Dewhurst, center, gets a standing ovation after performing as Brian Le Petit in one of two nightly Cirque du Soleil shows of Mystere, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Treasure Island hotel-casino in Las Vegas. Performing as a clown over the last 60 years, Julie Jacobson, Associated Press
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Brian Dewhurst, center, steals the date of a member of the audience while performing as the clown Brian Le Petit in Cirque du Soleil's Mystere, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Treasure Island hotel-casino in Las Vegas. Performing as a clown over the last 60 ye Julie Jacobson, Associated Press
By Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — For Brian Dewhurst, the only unexpected thing about his life's devotion is that people are surprised he is still doing it.

The celebrated acrobat and clown is the oldest performer employed by Cirque du Soleil, the upscale Canadian circus with 22 shows across the globe.

Last week Dewhurst marked his 80th birthday as he would any other work day — by starring in two back-to-back performances of "Mystere" at the Treasure Island hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Dewhurst says he never demanded a big fuss on his birthdays.

But his friends and family had something different in mind. They threw him a surprise party and urged the audience to sing "Happy Birthday to You."

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"Mystere" follows a babbling baby as it encounters contortionists, dancers, clowns and acrobats.

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