Valentin Filatov (Aug 12, 1920 – August 7, 1979) was a Soviet circus performer and animal trainer. His father ran a circus and he worked there from the age of six. He began training bears in 1944 and created the “Bear Circus” in 1949,[1] a popular show that featured bears doing unusual tricks, including riding motorbikes.[2][3] Filatov performed all over the world with the bears, was featured on the Ed Sullivan show,[4] and was even commemorated on a Soviet postage stamp.[5]