Goodbye to the 'Greatest Show on Earth': Ringling Bros. Hold Final Curtain Call

Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson is in his eighth edition of the Ringling Bros, he is the first African-American ringmaster in the show's history.

The self-proclaimed Greatest Show on Earth is ending their 146-year run with a final performance on May 21.

The Cossack riders, a group of acrobatic riders and horses, wait backstage for their cue.

Mongolian contortionists Solange Ulzii, Nomin Nyamkhuu balance on Erdenesuren Damdinbayar.

Tatiana Tchalabaeva waits to make her entrance as the Evil Queen along with the clowns.

Left: Matthew Iverson plays a younger version of his father, Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, and Adrianan Vassallo plays a younger version of her father, Davis Vassallo.

Right: Ashley Vargas hosts a pre-show before the ‘Out of This World’ performance of the Ringling Bros.

Katie Azzario Lacey strokes her tiger, Cashmere, before the show.

Members of the King Charles Troupe salute the crowd during the finale. The King Charles Troupe is the first African-American circus act in Ringling Bros. history, having debuted in 1969. The unicycle act plays basketball and even performs on ice during the show.

PHOTOS: Black Unicycle Basketball Stars Ride Into Ringling Bros. History

Dave Honigman, Joe DeSoto, and Mandy Curry play the clowns of Clown Alley.

Performers kick off the opening act of the ‘Out of This World’ show.

Left: Byron Allen plays trombone in the band.

Right: Acrobat Paulo dos Santos as the Circus Starseeker.

Big cat trainer Alexander Lacey performs with lions during the show.

Left: Freestyle skater Natahlia De Roover

Right: The Torres Family, originally from Paraguay, race motorcycles inside a steel cage just inches apart.

Tatiana Tchalabaeva, who plays the Evil Queen, has been with the Ringling Bros. for over 25 years.

Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson with his sidekick Paulo dos Santos.

Victor Rossi is an eighth generation clown from Monaco. He grew up performing in the Monte Carlo Festival and has traveled the world for shows.

Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson with his sidekick Paulo dos Santos.

Big cat trainer Alexander Lacey comes from a family of animal trainers.

VIDEO: A Circus No More: Historic Ringling Bros. Says Goodbye