Paul Binder

In 2017, Binder and Christensen performed at the 50th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival to "hand over the keys" to the circus' new leadership after it emerged from filing for bankruptcy the year before, which in the Big Apple Circus' case was a rubber chicken and a top hat.

In 2017, Binder performed in another cabaret P-P-P-Paul and K-K-K-Katie with co-star Katie Galuska.

In 2016, Binder performed in his cabaret THE TALL AND SHORT OF IT with co-star Dana Mierlak.

Binder published his memoir Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion and Other Uncommon Tales from the Founder of the Big Apple Circus in April 2013. It has a foreword by Glenn Close.

In October 2008, The New York Times reported that Binder would be retiring from his role as ringmaster and artistic director for the Big Apple Circus in 2009, although he continued to work behind the scenes as founder and founding artistic director. During that time, ABC News named Binder "Person of the Week".

In 2001, Binder was declared a "New York City Living Landmark" by the New York Landmarks Conservancy society.

Binder founded the Big Apple Circus, with Christensen later being named co-founder, after they returned from Europe in 1977.

Paul Binder (born October 19, 1942) is the founder, founding artistic director and former ringmaster of the Big Apple Circus.

Binder was born on October 19, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York to a Jewish family. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1963 and MBA from Columbia University in 1967. At Dartmouth, he had his first show business experience as an improv comedian with the Dartmouth Players. One of Dartmouth's educational philosophies was a belief in community service, which Binder embraced with the Big Apple Circus' community programs.