Alfred Vidbel , circus director in United States in United States . In the 1930s, Al Vidbel, son of Polish immigrants, ran away from his home in Trenton, NJ to join the circus. Not just any circus, he joined The Greatest Show on Earth! His love for animals, particularly elephants, landed him a job, first shoveling, then showing and training the animals that he so admired and loved. 2006: Al Vidbel suffered a stroke and was rushed to Albany Medical Cener from their homestead in Windham, NY.