About the Inductees and the Lifetime of Laughter Awards
The Lifetime of Laughter award is not a “Clown” Induction award. It is recognizing that others can contribute to the Lifetime of Laughter for children of all ages. There has been confusion in the past as to the induction of a non-clown performer. They are not inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame as a “Clown” or Performer”, it is award for a contribution to laughter for children of all ages. These people made significant contributions to making the world a happier place. The International Clown Hall of Fame has recognized their achievements and presented them with a “Lifetime of Laughter” award which is displayed in the museum.
The Clowns inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame have dedicated their lives for 20 years or more in performing, teaching and contributing to the preservation of the “Art of Clowning”. They are professional clowns recognized on a National or International level. These clowns gain their notoriety via actions and appearances of their clown characters. They have made overwhelming contributions in the gift of volunteering, teaching and overall “clowning from the heart”. They are an outstanding performer through the things that they have accomplished with clowning. They make a significant impact on clowning history.
1989 Lou Jacobs, Mark Anthony, Felix Adler, Emmett Kelly Sr., Red Skelton, Otto Griebling
FELIX ADLER (1895-1960)
Grew up on a small farm outside of Clinton, Iowa, where he left home and went to join Ringling Brothers Circus at the age of ten or thirteen (accounts differ). John Ringling refused to allow him to begin clowning until he had received basic training in other fields, such as working with a Chinese acrobatic team. His clumsiness and blunders turned him into a clown in a very short time. He drifted in and out of the circus, completing work at Iowa State College, serving in World War I, and entering the construction business with his father. The circus was in his veins, so he returned to Ringling Bros. for the duration of his career. Adler's costume, frequently white, had padded hips and rear end. He had a jewel in his nose, wore tiny hats and carried a tiny umbrella and a baby pig.
OTTO GRIEBLING (1896-1972)
Otto Griebling was German born, and came to this country at the age of 14. Otto started his circus career in Baraboo, Wisconsin, with the Hodgini Riding act. He was an excellent bareback comedy rider. He worked for Sells Floto Circus. He toyed with his audiences emotions, sometimes being sassy, crazy and quite eccentric. Routines for which he was famous were juggling metal pie plates and attempts to deliver a block of ice, or a plant, or a package throughout the show. He always performed a silent act. Not only was Otto a featured performer with Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus, but also other shows, including Cole Bros. When in 1970 his larynx was removed, pantomime became a way of life both in and out of make-up. He remained with Ringling Bros. until his death in 1972.
EMMETT KELLY, SR. (1898-1979)
Emmett Kelly Sr. was born in Sedan, Kansas. His first career was in cartooning. His circus career, which spanned 55 years, began as a trapeze performer with the Howes Great London Circus. He went into clowning (portraying a cartoon character he had in earlier years drawn). He worked with Hagenbeck & Wallace, Sells-Floto, Cole Brothers and the Mill Circus in London. In 1942 he joined Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus where he appeared until 1956. While with RBB&B he appeared in the movie, "The Greatest Show on Earth". Following the departure from the circus, he worked in night clubs, indoor circuses, trade shows and resorts. He was a Masonic Lodge member, and belonged to the Scottish Rite and Egypt Shrine temple of Tampa, Florida. He was buried in LaFayette, Indiana in a site near his mother.
MARK "TONY" ANTHONY (1915-1990)
Mark Anthony was born Mark Galkowski in Norwich, Connecticut. During the depression, he joined the circus. Except for a stint in the Merchant Marines, he spent most of his life working with various circuses: Sells-Floto, Harris Show, Dan Rice Circus, Clyde-Beaty-Cole Bros., and Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey. Although in early years he was seen as a whiteface, throughout his last decades he had been a unique tramp clown. He was a master sculpturer and prop maker. He loved to carve and created hundreds of different clowns from wood, foam, paper mache, and other products. His carved animal props tended to be very realistic.
LOU JACOBS (1903-1992)
Lou Jacobs was born as Jacob Ludwig in Bremerhaven, Germany. He began his performing career as a tumbler and contortionist. Upon his arrival in the United States in 1923, he became a partner in a vaudeville tumbling act. In 1924 he joined Ringling Bros. and never left the big show. He became the most famous example of the flamboyant American auguste with his favorite small automobile, and acts with his irrepressible dogs Knucklehead and Peewee. His face has appeared on a 1966 U.S. postage stamp as well as millions of circus posters, t-shirts, and other memorabilia. Currently Lou is semi retired, although he teaches each day Ringling Bros. Clown College is in session.
RICHARD "RED" SKELTON (1923-deceased)
Richard "Red" Skelton was born in Vincennes, Indiana. His father, who died two months before his birth was a clown with the Hagenbeck & Wallace Circus. Before "Red" was sixteen, he had also clowned in this same show, and acted, sang, or did stand up comedy in medicine shows, minstrel shows, and on board a river showboat. He entered vaudeville, and made it to Broadway in 1936. This limber legged, rubber faced award winning comedian starred in at least 23 movies, and had his own radio and television shows. During his television career, millions of people saw his clown character "Freddy the Freeloader" on a weekly basis. His artistry is still seen as a performer, a composer, and a painter. His most endearing paintings are of clowns.
1990 Leon “Buttons” McBryde, Bob “Clarabell” Keeshan, Joseph Grimaldi ****
LEON MC BRYDE (1943-)
A 7 year old's dream of being a clown was amply fulfilled when "Buttons" became a Ringling Brothers Circus clown after graduating from their Clown College in 1969. Following his apprentice year with the Blue Unit, he was named Ringling's Goodwill Ambassador and devised many promotional concepts, which he later taught as a Clown College instructor. Since 1983 he has appeared on "Toddlers Friends", a weekly TV show in Chicago, along with writing and producing 100 segments. In 1980, the resident of Buchanan, Virginia, created the "Ronald McDonald School Safety Show" and the "Big Red Shoe Review", also for McDonald's. At 6' 7", Buttons is a giant in his field.
Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837)
"Father of Clowns"
Joseph Grimaldi was one of the greatest English pantomimes. His father was Giuseppit Grimaldi (died 1788), an Italian dancing master and pantomimist. Joseph's stage debut was at 3 years old in a dance at Sadler's Wells, London's famous variety theater. Grimaldi never performed in a circus ring, but spent most of his life performing in full-length pantomimes. He had the most to do with the development of the pantomime character of Clown. He also was the one to give clowns their most enduring nickname, "Joey." Grimaldi used a substantial amount of color to his mouth, cheeks, and eyebrows over his painted white face. The most striking aspect of his makeup were the large red triangles. His image was followed closely for the next 50 years by most British clowns. Grimaldi is known for being a master in the use of expressions of the body and face, unique sense of comic timing, imaginative byplay, and his overall comic abilities.
Bob Keeshan
Clarabell
Warren Wade, NBC executive in charge of television, watched the shows and was bothered by seeing a "civilian" on the show surrounded by circus characters. He ordered that some type of costume be found for Keeshan. The decision was made to dress him as a clown. A striped costume was chosen, and Keeshan appeared wearing it for the first time in February. After a few weeks, Wade decided the costume wasn't enough, and ordered that Keeshan wear clown make up as well. NBC make up artist Dick Smith designed his make up which included a baldpate. It took Keeshan about an hour a day to apply the make up. The new clown character wasn't given any lines. In order to communicate, he was given a box with two bike horns attached. A toot on the right horn meant yes, and the left horn meant no. Between honking and wild gestures, the clown tried to communicate with Bob Smith who was slow to understand. Eddie Kean, the show's writer, named the character Clarabell Hornblower.
1991 Bobby Kaye, Frankie Saluto, Michael Polakov, Glen Little, Dan Rice ****
BOBBY KAYE (1908-1983)
Beginning with the Downey Bros. Circus in 1923, Bobby Kaye toured with a number of shows, including the Ringling Brothers Circus. In addition to his RBB&B appearances, he served as goodwill ambassador for the circus, traveling in advance of the show some seasons. He joined RBB&B Clown College staff in 1971 and four years later had charge of all make-up classes. The expert in magic provided large illusions for the Ringling Clown Alleys, including a version of the long shirt gag which ended in the cloth tube unfolding into an American flag large enough to cover the ring and requiring 10 clowns to support it.
FRANKIE SALUTO (1906-1982)
Frankie Saluto was short in stature, but quickly became big in clowning circles. He began clowning in 1928 and shortly afterwards joined the Ringling Brothers Circus. He became known as the whiteface dwarf with the large live rabbit. His career also included an interpretation of a miniature Charlie Chaplin and he was a member of the Ringling Giants, a midget baseball team that promoted the circus. Saluto had the distinction of being chosen as the "most popular clown with RBB&B", for which he was awarded a diamond stickpin. Pictured frequently in circus programs as well as appearing in books on circus and clowning, he retired at age 65 after 46 years of clowning.
MICHAEL POLAKOV (1923- )
Coco is a third generation Russian circus clown, who achieved his fame in England where the family came while he was a youth. He was associated with the Bertram Mills and Billy Smart Circuses in England, which later included tours of Europe. He came to the U.S. in 1953 to work for a limited time with the Mills Bros. Circus, before returning to England. Coco later joined Ringling Brothers, working eight years as advance man and goodwill ambassador. He developed several classic clown routines, including "Busy Bee". He later became an independent working clown, sometimes acting as an advance performer in small shows.
GLEN LITTLE (1925- )
Frosty began his career at age 29 with an amusement park in Denver, Colorado followed by an involvement for a time with a carnival operation. He was in the first RBB&B Clown College graduating class, from which he was hired for the Red Unit at the end of 1968. In two years he was "Boss Clown" of the unit, a position he held until 1980 when he became head clown of both units as well as the director of all RBB&B owners, only the fourth to receive the title. Little appeared on 12 network TV shows, has written more than 300 gags and instructed clowns at the Japan Clown College. Frosty has become part of the Felds' Creative Services, a gag factory.
Dan Rice (1823-1900)
President Lincoln's Court Jester
Dan Rice's first appearance as a circus clown was in Galena, Illinois, in 1844. Gradually his popularity as a wise-cracking, aphoristic, cracker-barrel philosopher, a forerunner of Will Rogers, became so great that he was able to buy his own shows, both wagon and river-boat. His untraditional costume consisted of red, white, and blue-striped tights, a star-spangled cloak, a top hat and chin whiskers, the regalia that would later be associated with "Uncle Sam." Rice's style as clown was based on that of William Wallet, who was an English "Shakespearian" clown who could repsond to comments from the spectators with appropriate quotes from the Bard. Throughout the Civil War, Rice prospered and became a figure of national prominence. (source: A Cavalcade of Clowns, 1992, Bellerophon Books, Santa Barbara, CA).
1992 “Prince Paul” Alpert, Adrien “Grock” Wettach, Paul Jung, Gene “Cousin Otto” Lee, Arthur “Vercoe” Pedlar****
KARL ADRIEN "GROCK" WETTACH (1880-1959)
Swiss born Karl Adrien Wettach became the toast of European entertainment as "Grock" the clown. The auguste-type clown appeared with a series of partners in circuses, theatres and variety halls for nearly 60 years. The talented musician, who could play 24 instruments and speak many languages, baecame the king of clowns in the early 1900's. Grock performed for some of Europe's royalty. He also started a successful music publishing business for his popular songs. The highest-paid artist at one time in Europe, was broke after buying a circus tent for his variety show after World War II, but recovered financially through successful tours. His final performance at age 74 was in Hamburg, Germany, on October 30, 1954. He retired to the castle he had built in the 1920's on the French Riviera.
PAUL JUNG (1901-1965)
As a youngster Paul Jung first performed in a vaudeville acrobatic act with his brothers, but at 16 joined the Barnum & Bailey Circus. He became a prolific producing clown that continued with the Ringling Bros. merger. The Dayton, Ohio native created such well-remembered routines as the washing machine that would shrink people, the steam roller that seemed to flatten clowns and the "sawn in two" illusion. He also had his own Laugh Factory, where he created props and acts for ice shows and other circuses besides those for the Greatest Show on Earth. He met an untimely death during a robbery in his New York hotel room.
PAUL "PRINCE PAUL" ALPERT (1913-1987)
Paul Alpert became a famous little person, after gaining a start in clowning in 1933 with the Paul Jung troupe. The Bangor, Maine native went on to fame as a Ringling Bros. clown, performing for more than 50 years. He also became a frequent instructor at the circus' Clown College in Florida. Alpert produced several numbers for the circus, including his famous "Wild West Whoop De-Do", a funny version of the early frontier days. His efforts earned him a rare circus program credit by Ringling officials. He also met a number of famous entertainers during his career. He retired in 1980, went to Massachusetts where his sister was.
ARTHUR PEDLAR (1932- )
Beginning as a member of the Spider Austin troupe in 1953, English-born Arthur Pedlar appeared at the Parisian Circus Cirque Medrano, including three weeks as comic Buster Keaton's assistant. He appeared for 25 years as a tramp clown, incorporating a unicycle and his musical skills. He then added his absent-minded dotty old auguste named Vercoe. Pedlar's interest in preserving variety arts history led to his portrayals of famous music hall entertainers, transforming characters on stage by changing rubber noses, wigs and costume accessories. He later created Arturo, a classical continental whiteface clown in full sequin costume, who plays straight man to an auguste puppet trumpeter. The president of the England's Motley Clown alley has managed to combine his clowning with a family business of a Southport shopping mall.
GENE "COUSIN OTTO" LEE (1920- )
Wisconsin's first Hall of Fame inductee, who was born in Milwaukee, logged his 50th year in clowning in 1991. Gene Lee's clowning career included early stints in Cole Bros., Cole Bros.- Clyde Beatty and Ringling Bros. Circuses. His mentor, the famous Otto Griebling, helped give Lee his clown name, "Cousin Otto", because he seemed like one of the family. Known as America's Favorite Relative", the Whitewater resident created the role of the Red Dot Potato Chip Co. clown. He was on TV, appeared at state and county fairs and in later years taught clowning on college campuses. He helped start the first clown alley in Wisconsin in 1970 in Delavan. Lee, a newspaper ad manager, is active in community affairs. He also edited two monthly national clown publications and is display director for the Clown Hall of Fame.
1993 Roy “Cookie” Brown, Steve “T.J.Tatters” Smith, Albert Fratellini, Al Ross, Oleg Popov****
ALBERT FRATELLINI (1886-1961)
Albert Fratellini was born in Moscow to the Fratellini circus family. He and his brothers, Paul and Francois, trained in Russia under one of the Durov brothers. The Fratellini brothers entree lasted 45 minutes. They performed at the Cirque Medrano where many classic routines were developed. A frequent visitor to the Fratellini dressing room was artist Pablo Picasso. Fratellini has been described as a "superb comic actor." He is most likely responsible for the American auguste as we know it today. His make-up style influenced many well known augustes, most prominently, Lou Jacobs. His actions were outlandish and crazy. The Fratellinis were honored by the President of France while at the Cirque Medrano, and Albert was one of the country's best known clowns in history.
AL ROSS (1907-1981)
Born Alphonse Helwig in Cincinnati, Ohio, he took the professional name Al Ross in 1930 when he was part of the Ross acrobatic troupe. Ross, a tramp clown, provided training for fellow shrine clowns in proper clowning skills and etiquette. He would shoot long balloons into the circus crowd. When he threw away his black derby hat, it came right back to him. He rode an old bicycle that fell apart, and was adept at acrobatic balancing and tumbling. Ross was a member of the Aladdin Temple Shrine unit and was seen in many shrine and other circuses in the U.S. He was a performer with the Jack Parr Special Service Unit. During his last interview he stated "anyone who can make people laugh has the greatest gift God can give a man."
OLEG POPOV (1930 - )
Oleg Popov was the top clown with the Moscow State Circus. Known as the "Sunshine Clown," Popov's character is considered gentle and poetic. He graduated from the Moscow circus school in 1949 and was made assistant to the great Karandash, who taught Popov the nuances of clowning. Popov is talented on the slackwire and has a repertoire of over 80 clown sketches. This gentle satirist has taken his expertness at wire walking and juggling, and incorporated these skills with traditional gags and soft humor. In 1955, he became the first Soviet clown to perform outside Russia. His stated goal is to "create joy, not laughter for it's own sake."
ROY "COOKY" BROWN (1932 - )
Roy Brown created the lovable character "Cooky" for the Bozo Show and in 1992 received an Emmy award for his portrayal. He first joined the show as a writer, but in 1969 joined the cast. "Cooky" was born after Brown experimented with 60 different clown characters. Brown's character originated from a cook who was responsible for cooking horrible circus meals. He developed the make-up and voice for the character as well as the costume. Brown initially created puppets on such television shows as Blue Fairy, Paddle Boat, Tree Top House and Ray Rayner and Friends for WGN-TV in Chicago, Illinois.
STEVE "T.J. TATTERS" SMITH (1951 - )
Steve Smith is best known as the director of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's Clown College. He was a graduate of the college (1971) and a performer and goodwill ambassador with the RBB&B show's blue unit for the next six years. He moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he received his bachelor's degree in acting from the Goodman School of Drama. At Clown College, Steve not only serves in an administrative capacity, but also teaches several classes and conducts nationwide auditions for new students. Steve's energy and enthusiasm has made him a popular teacher and lecturer on clowning throughout the U.S. He was appointed director for the RBB&B circus in 1992.
1994 Annie Fratellini, “Bumpsey Anthony” Hulme, Jim Howle, Joe Jackson Sr., Nicolai “CoCo” Polisakoff****
GEORGE "BUMPSY ANTHONY" HULME (1901-1989)
George "Bumpsy Anthony" Hulme left home to join the circus at the age of 16, and for 62 years worked on various shows including Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, Tom Mix, Sells Floto, Clyde Beatty, the Robbins Brothers, Walter L. Main, the Keith Brothers, the Wild West, the Hagenback-Wallace Show, Howe's Great London Shows, Sparks, and Cole Brothers. He wore a baggy suit with low cut neckline and continued the lines of his unique make-up design down his neck to accentuate his long neck. An acrobatic clown, he performed the table rocking routine. One of his trademarks was carrying a long knotted rope which would get tangled on objects causing him to do a pratfall.
JOE JACKSON SR (1873-1942)
Joe Jackson Sr. was born as Joseph Francis Jiranek in Vienna, Austria. He was Austrian bicycle champion, and a member of a world champion bicycle polo team before he became an entertainer. He started with a serious bike riding act, and then developed it into a comedy break- away bike act performed by a tramp character. Preferring intimate settings, Jackson worked almost exclusively in vaudeville and European one-ring circuses. His act took him to England, the European Continent, Russia, Siberia, Turkey, and most of the United States. He encouraged his son to take over the act and it was performed by either father or son for over 100 years. Following a performance at New York's Roxy Theater, he took several curtain calls, and then died in the wings.
NICOLAI "COCO" POLAKOVS (1900-1974)
Nicolai Polakovs was born in Latvia. He ran away from home at the age of eight to travel with an organ grinder, and then became apprenticed to famous Russian clown Lazernko. Eventually he owned his own circus in Russia. He left Russia after the revolution, joining Circus Busch in Berlin. In 1930, he joined England's Bertram Mills Circus, and stayed for nearly 40 years, the rest of the show's existence. After a serious road accident in 1960, he devoted his life to promoting road safety. In 1963, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for contributions to road safety awareness in children. Polakovs was instrumental in the formation of the Circus Clown Club, which evolved into the current Clowns International organization.
ANNIE FRATELLINI (1932 - )
French clown Annie Fratellini is the granddaughter of Paul Fratellini. Annie carries on the tradition of the famous Fratellini brothers, adapting their routines to her impish feminine character. Each year, on her birthday, her father gave her a different musical instrument: concertina, vibraphone, violin, clarinet, piano, etc. She learned to play them all and uses them in her clowning. In 1974, she co-founded, with her husband, the Fratellini Circus School, and is its artistic director. A unique feature of her school is that it offers artistic and technical training. She directed her own circus, the Ecole Nationale du Cirque in Paris, France. She was an influence on the creators of the Big Apple Circus and Cirque du Soliel.
JIM HOWLE (1939 - )
Jim Howle was born in Darlington, South Carolina. His mother was an artist, and Howle was pulled into clowning through art. While a student at the Ringling School of Art, he learned of the formation of the RBB&B Clown College. He applied, was accepted, and was graduated from the original class in 1968. Touring with RBB&B for seven years as a tramp clown, he was selected as the show's official artist. He left the show in 1974 to pursue his painting career. Through the Contemporary American Clowns and Red Nose Philosopher series of paintings, the first three Clown Hall of Fame Inductee posters. and other paintings, Howle has recorded forever the beauty, dignity and love which abounds in the clown world. His work is included in the Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute and the Leningrad Gallery. A popular instructor, he has taught at RBB&B Clown College and the University of Wisconsin Clown Camp.
1995 “Edwin “Poodles” Hanneford, Dimitri, Jimmy “Happy” Williams, Don “Homer “ Bruda, Chester Sherman, Joe Vanni****
EDWIN "POODLES" HANNEFORD (1891-1967)
Edwin "Poodles" Hanneford was born in Barnsley, England while his parents were there as performers with the Lord John Sanger Circus. His parents were superb riders and as a child he became part of their act. Poodles' comedy was built upon a foundation of skill as acrobat and equestrian. Poodles is listed in the Guinnes Book of World Records for performing 26 continuous running leaps on and off a running horse. In 1915, the Hannefords were brought to the U.S. by the Ringling's to appear in the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Poodles also performed his equestrian act on stage in vaudeville and Broadway. He was in a total of 42 two reel comedy films. Poodles performed his bareback act until he was 63 years old, and then he continued appearing with circuses with his whip act and doing general clowning. In 1956, he became a prospector clown at the Frontier Town amusement park in North Hudson, N.Y. With the exception of one more circus season, Poodles performed at Frontier Town every summer until his death in 1967. Poodles is considered to be the best equestrian clown in history. His style was widely copied and some of the routines that he created are still performed by Mark Karoly and descendants of the Hanneford family.
THE SHERMAN BROS.
CHESTER SHERMAN ( - 1976)
JOE VANI (1913 - Present)
Nineteen year old Joe Vani answered an ad looking for an experienced acrobat to fill an opening in the Kenneth Waite Trio. The other members of the trio were Kenneth Waite and Chester Sherman. As part of the trio, Joe spent 18 years watching, learning and developing his skills as a performer. When Kenneth Waite retired, Joe and Chester formed a partnership that became known as the Sherman Brothers. So closely were the men identified as brothers, that many newspaper articles identified Joe as Chester's "baby brother". The Sherman Brothers entertained circus audiences across the United States for over 43 years (1932-1975). They toured with the Howard Circus, the Pollack Brothers Circus, Carden-Johnson, and The Orrin Davenport Shrine Circus. The Sherman Brothers performed in over 139 different Shrine Circuses. Joe and Chester worked with all of the greats: Otto Griebling, Emmett Kelly, Sr., Felix Adler, Shorty Flemm, The Black Brothers, Jimmy Davison, Bobby DeKoe, and many others. While they learned from those wonderful clowns, they also developed their own classic routines. They remained active partners until Chester passed away in 1976.
DIMITRI (1935 - )
Dimitri was born in Ascona, Switzerland (1935). When he was seven years old he decided he wanted to become a clown. After graduating from school, Dimitri became an apprentice potter while studying music and theater. He went to Paris to study under Etienne Decrox, then Marcel Marceau. In 1959, he was hired as an Auguste by Louise Maisse, a whiteface clown. He then created his own solo mime act which was received with much acclaim during the 1962 International Mime Festival in Berlin. In 1973, he was awarded the Grock prize, and appeared with New York's Big Apple Circus. He has also performed in many other countries across the globe. Dimitri prefers performing solo in theaters with a few props and no scenery. His act is motivated with his comic logic and playful spirit allowing him to incorporate a wide variety of circus skills. Interaction with the audience is an integral part of both his stage acts. The finale of his show is to play four saxophones simultaneously. He is a published author and songwriter, and operates a theater company with his wife Gunda, in his native Switzerland.
DON BURDA (1935 - )
Don developed an interest in theater while in high school. In 1960, he moved to California to pursue a theatrical career, and during a period of 15 years was cast in thirty-eight stage productions. In 1970, a children's theater troupe asked Don to play the role of a clown, and he fell in love with the art of clowning. By 1972, he had created his character, Homer, a happy tramp. Homer won twenty-three first and second place awards in clown and character make-up, skits and balloon sculpturing. Don and his wife, Dee, keep up a busy performance schedule of trade shows, grand openings, company picnics, television engagements and private parties. In 1989, Homer performed at the International Clown Summit in Scotland. Don has taught several consecutive years at the University of Wisconsin-Clown Camp, and for the last four years has conducted Clown Encounters, weekend conferences taught by Don and Leon McBryde. Don is the author of the popular balloon sculpture book, Homer's Rubber Bubbles.
JIMMY "HAPPY" WILLIAMS (1942 - )
Jimmy Williams was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1961, he landed his first job in clowning when he was hired to perform at Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee. He took his name "Happy" from his respect for tramp clown Happy Kellums. Chappie Fox went to Milwaukee to take a look at Jimmy. Impressed by his interaction with children, Chappie brought Jimmy to the Circus World Museum in 1962. After his first season at Baraboo, Jimmy spent two year stints with the Kelly-Miller and Famous Cole Circuses before joining the U.S. Army. Enroute to Germany he was assigned to entertaining the troops on board ship. He continued entertaining as a magician at many NCO and officers clubs while stationed in Germany. Jimmy moved to Baraboo permanently in 1967, and worked at Circus World on and off until the early 1970's when he joined the full time staff. Now he has been with Circus World for over 25 years. During the summer season his hectic daily schedule includes several full make-up applications and performances,. Happy has touched audience members visiting the museum from around the world.
1996 Bob “Bozo” Bell, Jackie LeClaire, Bert Williams, Bill “Boom-Boom” Bailey****
BILL "BOOM-BOOM" BAILY (1917 – 1990)
Bill began clowning while still in high school. For over seven years he appeared in his tramp character on the Sealtest Big Top and Mark's MagicMidwest television shows, broadcast by local stations in New Jersey. Heappeared on live television programs on CBS, NBC, and ABC including guest appearances on the Mike Douglas Show and Pixanna Show. Bill was an original member of Clowns of America when it was founded in 1967and held membership number 81. He was named the U.S. Chairman of NationalClown Week. Bill convinced Congressman Garmatz of Maryland and Congressman Myers of Indiana to introduce a joint resolution in Congress establishing National Clown Week as an annual event. He lobbied congress and organized a visit by clowns to the senate building in Washington, D.C. The joint resolution was signed into law by President Nixon on August 2, 1971. Bill remained National Clown Week Chairman for Clowns of America and Clown of America International until his death. Bill taught several eight week courses in clowning at Dundalk Community College, Maryland. He also created the "Art of Clowning", the first clown school syllabus used by the Clowns of America. Bill served as President of Clowns of America from 1974-1978. Even though he was confined to a wheelchair by a stroke in 1977, he continued clowning.
BOB "BOZO" BELL (1992-1997)
Bob's career in show business began in the movies where he appeared on location in films such as Clarence Buddington Kelland's"Arizona". Additionally, he helped construct the western city movie set of Old Tucson which was used for many films and became a major tourist attraction in Arizona. Following World War II, Bob went into broadcasting. He worked at radio stations in Flint, Michigan, Indianapolis and South Bend Indiana, and Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1956, he joined the staff at WGN Continental Broadcasting Company in Chicago, IL. He played many different characters for the station. After Larry Harmon purchased the television rights to the Bozo character, he began franchising the program to local stations. Bob Bell was cast as Bozo for the WGN franchise in 1960. An advantage of local franchises over syndication is that youngsters could obtain tickets to each localbroadcast. Bob's portrayal of Bozo was so popular that tickets had to beordered nine years in advance. Bob appeared on the Bozo show until1984. For fifteen years, one of his sidekicks was Roy"Cooky" Brown, a 1993 ICHOF inductee. His audience increased to30 million homes nationally when WGN was picked up by many cable companies, turning it into a media giant. Possibly no clown has been seen for a longer period by more people then Bob Bell as WGN's Bozo.
JACKIE LE CLAIRE (1927 – present)
Jackie's parents were performers with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum &Bailey Circus when he was born. He started clowning at a very young age, and as a young man became a salaried performer in partnership with his father who was also a clown. When he was 19, Jackie became an aerialist. He soon returned to clowning, but maintained his aerial skills. He doubled on the trapeze for Cornell Wilde in the film Greatest Show on Earth. After graduating from high school, Jackie took his father's place in the show the RBB&B sent to Havana, Cuba. During the 1950's Jackie booked his one man act for fairs and other circuses. In the 1960's he once again worked for RBB&B circus. He was the producing clown for a unit they sent to South America touring extensively in Argentina and Brazil. Jackie also spent two and a half years touring in advance for RBB&B as their Ambassador of Goodwill. In 1968, Jackie was one of five clowns who performed with the first American circus to appear in the Soviet Union. They appeared in Moscow, Leningrad, and Kiev. Jackie also toured with the European RBB&B Circus unit that appeared across Europe. Most recently, Jackie was the official Rich Plan Frozen Food Co. Clown he did everything from promotional advertising to school assembly shows. He is a popular instructor, teaching at the UW - Clown Camp and lecturing at clown conventions.
BERT WILLIAMS (EGBERT AUSTIN WILLIAMS)( 1874 – 1922)
Born in the West Indies, Bert Williams was a black entertainer appearing asa song-and-dance clown in the minstrel/tramp tradition of McIntyre and Heath. He was also an excellent pantomimist. His contemporaries considered him the greatest entertainer of his generation. Because of histalent, he broke through many racial barriers for black entertainers. His first great success came as a partner to George Walker, who was also a black entertainer. The two popularized the dance known as the Cakewalk. Early vaudeville was segregated, but Walker and Williams were able to break into big time white vaudeville as headliners. They also formed a black production company creating shows with black casts that performed on Broadway and toured America and Europe. The success of the Walker and Williams productions significantly influenced black performers' acceptance on Broadway and the vaudeville stage. When Walker passed away in1908, Williams continued with a solo clown act interspersing monologues, songs, and pantomimes. He joined the cast of the Ziegfield Follies two years later, and was in every Follies edition for the rest of his career. In addition to breaking down barriers for blacks in vaudeville and on Broadway, he was the first black performer to star in a motion picture, and his recordings with Walker are the earliest documented appearance by blacks on phonograph records. The dignity he gave his tramp clown character humanized the minstrel caricature revealing the humanity beneath the stereotype.
1997 George Footit, Raphael “ Chololat” Padilla****
Foottit & Chocolat
George Footit (1864-1921) was a British equestrian, acrobat and clown who was brought into his profession at the young age of twelve. He was known for his solo performances as an acrobat and equestrian with Sanger's Circus in England. Raphael "Chocolat" Padilla (-1917) was born in Cuba and discovered by Tony Grice. Grice hired Chocolat to be an assistant in the circus ring. Eventually, Chocolat became famous for trying to ride a wild mule which threw him out of the ring. In 1889, Footit and Chocolat teamed up to appear at the Hippodrome du Champ de Mars and at the Nouveau Cirque in Paris. As a duo, Footit was known for being a physically abusive clown who assumed a leadership role in the duo. Chocolat was labeled as a lazy and didn't react to the abuse that Footit put before him. Footit and Chocolat performed together until 1910. After the duo split up each performed solo, but weren't successful.
1998 Robert Armin, Ernie “Blinko” Burch, Peggy Williams****
Peggy Williams
Peggy Williams, while a speech pathology major at the University of Wisconsin where her focus was on working in deaf education, thought clowning might sharpen her nonverbal communication skills. She became interested in Clown College and became the first female graduate of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circuses Clown College in 1970. Following completion of the program of study, she went on the road with The Greatest Show on Earth, distinguishing herself during her nine years of travel with the circus. In 1973, she was asked to join the teaching staff at Clown College where she assisted students in nurturing the relationship between performers and the public. She worked on special assignments at the Circus's corporate headquarters in Washington, DC where she initiated a series of new educational programs often revolving around a clowing theme. In 1981, Peggy became the assistant performance director for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Circus' Blue Unit. Peggy became the Performance Director of the circus's tour of Japan. She has spoken at the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institute and NASA. Additionally, she has directed a circus camp for disadvantaged youth in Belfast, Ireland
Ernie Burch (Blinko)
Ernie Burch (1925-1993) began clowning in 1941 at the age of 16 for Daily Brothers Circus. Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin has documented him using 10 different styles of make-up during his early circus career. Earnie and Paul Jerome would appear during the first half of the circus in one make-up and then return to clown alley and put on a completely different make-up for the second half of the show. Ernie appeared in 17 scenes of the movie "The Greatest Show on Earth". It was Cecil B. DeMille who gave him his clown name, Blinko, because of the 2-1/2" green eyelashes that he wore. Ernie used a whiteface make-up, and his eyelashes and treble cleft in the middle of his forehead were his trademarks. For many years Blinko gave joy to the many visitors at Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas. He was also a welcome guest at many major charitable events, telethons and the pediatric wards of hospitals. "Blinko" passed away on August 29, 1993, just six weeks after performing for a television show in Sarasota, Florida.
Robert Armin
Selected Board Inductee
The adopted son of Richard Tarlton, who served as court jester to Queen Elizabeth and clown with the Queen's Men acting troupe, Armin was interested in perserving the jester tradition. In 1600, he wrote a history of court jesters, making him the first clown author/historian. In 1599, he replaced Kempe as chief clown of the Lord Chamberlain's Men. The clown role in Shakerspeare's subsequent plays changed emphasis to fit Armin's talents and style. He wore Jester's motley, and most of his roles were as a court jester. Possessing a sophisticated intellectual wit, he was known for the humorous twisting of well sayings, and for bawdy, satirical observations. Like Kempe, Armin excelled at improvisation, and much of the comic business in Shakespeare's later plays is believed to have been origniated by Armin. Roles written for him include Verges, the watchman, in "Much Ado bout Nothing", Touchstone in "As You Like It", Feste in "Twelth Night", Lear's Fool in "King Lear", the clown in "Othello", Lavache in "All's Well That Ends Well", and the first gravedigger in "Hamlet". Armin worte his own play, "Maides of Moreclake" which was produced by King's Revels in 1609. Beryl Hugill calls Kempe and Armin "the first important stage clowns of any note."
1999 Bill Irwin, Richard “Snowflake” Snowberg, Charlie Rivel, Bob “Hambone” Hamilton, Umberto “Antonet” Guillame****
CHARLIE RIVEL (1896-1980)
Charlie Rivel was Europe's most famous and popular clown. His costume trademark was a long red jersey that had accidentally been stretched in the laundry. A performance at the Grona Lunds Tivoli in Stockholm in 1979 marked his 80th year in show business. His parents were street performers who traveled throughout Europe and by the time Charlie was two, he was appearing in the family's act. By the time he was six, he was performing a head-balancing act with his sister who was one year younger. Charlie Rivel had a distinctive square nose. A famous poster by Vang Rasmussen shows Charlie with his head tilted back and a blue bird perched on his square nose. The poster was originally created for Charlie's appearance with the Cirkus Schumann in 1967 and was used by other shows for subsequent appearances by the clown. The poster was the artist's favorite. It appears on the cover of 100 years of Circus Posters by Jack Rennert and is included in The Book of Clowns by George Speight. Charlie Rivel wrote an autobiography titled Poor Clown. His legacy lives on. He taught his children to be circus performers, and his sons clowned using the name Charlivels.
BOB "HAMBONE" HAMILTON (1929-1998)
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Bob Hamilton entered the clowning work in 1974 after becoming a Shriner. He maintained a strong association with the Shriners, but also became an influential role model in the Clowns of America organization and the Midwest Clown Association. His forte was in the crafting of clever parade props which won him many trophies and awards. Bob was a charter member of the Calumet Clowns and in the Hall of Fame of the Midwest Clown Association. He was a member of Orak Temple Shrine Clown Unit, the International Shrine Clown Association, the Great Lakes Shrine Clown Unit Association and Clowns of America, International. He was the first education director for the International Shrine Clown Association, and coordinated the first ever training program for Shriners at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse Clown Camp¨. His ability to live as a clown enriched all that entertained or laughed with him in his various award winning skits and parade gimmicks. "Hambone" takes his place among the great showmen in the world of clowns. Bob made people smile wherever he performed. He was a regular clown visitor at various Shrine hospitals, burn centers and temple circuses. He also made regular visits to Hammond's Saint Margaret's Pediatric Ward and the Emergency room. "Hambone" cherished the many friendships he made nationwide practicing the art of clowning. Those that knew him looked forward to his full-face smile and kind nature. He was a gentleman among clowns.
RICHARD "SNOWFLAKE" SNOWBERG
Richard got his initial performance experience as a magician, and in 1975 he turned to clowning. He is an associate professor in Information Technology at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. In 1981, Richard started Clown Camp¨ with six instructors. Over the past 19 years, Clown Camp¨ has grown into the world's largest training program. He served as the World Clown Association Education Director for many years, and later served as President. Richard helped bridge the gap between American and European clowns by inviting England's Arthur Pedlar and other European clowns to teach at Clown Camp¨. Richard also introduced a new generation of clowns to Mark Anthony, Lou Jacobs, Jackie LeClaire and Michael Polakovs at Clown Camp¨. Richard organized the International Clown Summit in Dalkeith, Scotland in 1989, bringing together clowns from around the world for a week of discussion and performance. In 1993, he was an American delegate at the Swedish hosted World Clown Congress. In addition to providing training opportunities through Clown Camp¨, Dr. Snowberg has written five books and hundreds of articles on clowning. "The Caring Clown", his most recent book, is an encyclopedia of clown skills and ideas for clowns doing hospital and nursing home visits. Many of today's clown leaders have been inspired by Richard either directly or through Clown Camp¨. Many of his efforts are behind the scenes where few know of his direct involvement.
BILL IRWIN
Bill Irwin graduated from the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Baily Clown College in 1974, and the next year he became an original cast member of San Francisco's Pickle Family Circus. He continued his work with the Pickle Family Circus until 1979 when he left to pursue his own unique vision for theatrical clowning. Bill's own original clown show Largely/New York was seen at City Center and the Kennedy Center, ran on Broadway, and received five Tony Award nominations. He was also granted the Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle, and the New York Dance and Performance Award. He also appeared in Fool Moon, a two-man show developed with clown David Shiner, on Broadway, at the Doollittle Theater in Los Angeles, and in Vienna and Munich. An eccentric dancer, Bill was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Choreographer's Fellowship in 1981 and 1983. In 1984 he was named a Guggenheim Fellow and awarded a 5-year MacArthur Fellowship. In addition to his clown theater productions, he has appeared in comedy roles in several shows. His television credits include Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, The Cosby Show, HBO's Bette Midler, Mondo Beyondo, Northern Exposure, Sesame Street, and PBS's Great Performances 20th Anniversary. In England, he appeared on the Paul Daniels Magic Show. His movie credits include Popeye, A New Life, Eight Men Out, My Blue Heaven, Scenes From a Mall, Stepping Out, Hot Shots, and Silent Tongue. He is currently working on the film "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" in Los Angeles and simultaneously working on another project in New York.
UMBERTO "ANTONET" GUILLAUME (1872-1935)
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Born in Brescia, Italy, Antonet was the son of a famous family of Italian clowns. He followed in Footit's tradition as an "authoritarian" whiteface clown. George Speaight credits Antonet with introducing the loose spangled dress, with calf-length trousers that became associated with the European whiteface clown. Antonet first became famous working straight to Little Walter. The duo created clown entrees called The Clarinet, The Bullfight, The Nightingale, and a Hamlet parody that became standard circus clown acts. According to John Towsen, "Antonet was a superb straight man who could bring out the most in his partner and help build the plot to its highest potential of hilarity. In the process, more and more of the comic effects seemed to be attributable to the auguste. It was hardly a coincidence that three of Antonet's partners - Little Walter, Grock and Beby, were considered to be among the greatest augustes ever." In 1913, Antonet teamed with Beby. According to Towsen, "it was while working with Beby that Antonet truly refined the concept of the clown entree, applying high standards of dramatic construction to clowning. There was a classical purity to their style, based on careful exposition, well-conceived plots, intriguing complications, and a strong denouement." Antonet made a tremendous contribution to the history of clowning through his instruction of Grock, his creation of routines that became standards, and his elevation of the circus clown entree to high theatrical art.
2000 George Fox, Francios & Paul Fratellini, Duane “Uncle Soapy” Thorpe, Nola Rae, Francesco Caroli****
FRANCESCO CAROLI (1922 - )
Francesco and his brothers are the legendary Caroli clowns. Shows which played host to their talents included Circus Knie in Switzerland, Cirque d'Hivere in Paris, and Circus Krone in Germany. In America, they performed more than fourteen different clown routines on the Ed Sullivan Show. When the death of one of his brothers put a sudden end to the world famous trio, Francesco took a teaching position at the State Circus School in France. In 1990, the director of Circus Roncalli made Francesco an offer he could not refuse. Francesco made a come-back to clowning at the grand old age of 70. He has been making audiences laugh with the Circus Roncalli in Germany ever since. This year Francesco celebrates his 60th year as a white face clown!
NOLA RAE
After working for two years as a professional ballerina, Nola Rae realized she would never be a great dancer. Wanting to apply her ballet technique, and not interested in speaking on stage, she turned to mime and studied with Marcel Marceau. In 1976, after a season with the Bristol Old Vic Company, she started her own production company called the London Mime Theater. She produced eleven shows in which she combined mime, clowning, dance, and puppetry. Each show is presented solo or with a single partner. Nola has performed in 51 countries and been seen on every continent except Antarctica. She has made many television appearances, including a BBC documentary on her work and a recent program in which she co-starred with Marcel Marceau.
FRANCOIS (1879 - 1951) & PAUL FRATELLINI (1877 - 1940)
The Fratellini's were a smoothly functioning trio whose characters provided effective contrasts: Francois, the elegant one; Albert, the grotesque, and Paul half-way between them, sometimes taking one brother's side, sometimes the other's. (Albert was inducted into the ICHOF in 1994). An engagement at the Cirque Medrano after World War I was so successful that it sparked a strong resurgence of interest in the circus. By 1923, the Fratellini brothers had become the darling of the Parisian intellectuals, lauded in print and worshipped by adoring fans who would show up at the circus just in time for the Fratellini entree, which sometimes ran as long as forty-five minutes. The Fratellini's success has been attributed to many factors, but above all they succeeded because of their talent and experience.
DUANE THORPE (1924 - 1995)
Duane "Uncle Soapy" Thorpe is one of the few clowns to have had a successful career while working for only one circus. (Although Duane was in his fair share of soap gags through the years, his moniker was actually based on a family nickname.) A professional dancer, Duane sought a job with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey for the fresh air and good food. He was given a job in the wardrobe department. Before long, he was learning to be a web sitter for the aerial ballet. In 1950 he made it to Clown Alley and stayed there until 1986. Duane's list of accomplishments is quite lengthy. A prolific producing clown, he created ring gags, track gags, and numerous walkarounds. He was a favorite among younger clowns because of his willingness to help and encourage them.
GEORGE L. FOX (1825 - 1877)
George L. Fox was a major force in the development of a distinctly American brand of theater. Fox evolved a style of pantomime, remarkable for its action, violence, and topical satire. He was the first to demonstrate that a clown could occupy as high a position in the esteem of the public as a tragedian. In 1867, in his masterpiece, Humpty Dumpty, he played an anti- hero who was half Boss Tweed and half Krazy Kat. In his clown guise, Fox became the most familiar figure in popular American imagery, appearing in advertisements, cigar store effigies, and children's books long after his death. The kind of humor first introduced by George Fox found expression half a century later in the work of Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and the Marx Brothers.
2001 Billy Baker, Bill Balantine, Charlie Chaplin, Irvin Romig****
Billy Baker
One day as a teenager, Billy spied an old train conductor hat and put it on sideways. It was the beginning of Elwood the clown character. He performed several seasons with Ringling Brothers. He appeared on Hee-Haw. Of his career, he said he truly feels his life is just the beginning in a career that begins again, each time I make my entrance into the heart of the crowd. I am a clown and until the last laugh, its all I will ever be.
Bill Balantine
Born in 1910 in Millvale, Pennsylvania, Ballantine was introduced to circuses by his father, a member of the Mystic Shrine and once mayor of their home town. Mixing sawdust and grease paint with the sparkling tarnish of the music hall next door to his childhood home, Ballantine developed a lifelong hunger for show business. After graduating from high school, Ballantine found work in sign shop, painting posters for local movie houses, and after several years, began attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, beginning his long career as an artist/illustrator and later writer. He traveled with Ringling Bros Circus during the 1946 season and then, finally, in 1947, he decided to bid a temporary farewell to the workaday world of publishing and run away to the circus. He “joined out” as a clown with the biggest of all big tops, Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus. From 1969 through 1977, Ballantine served as dean of the Clown College, a school that offered the secrets of humor and comedy, and demanded much from its students, yet gave even more. A former student, NPR’s Murray Horwitz, noted in 1999 after Ballantine’s death, “I remember a time 30 years ago when American circus clowning had fallen on hard times and Bill Ballantine came to the rescue." Dozens of his students worked on the Ringling show, but hundreds more took their skills to the theatre, to mud shows and to the streets.
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, Jr., KBE (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977
Charlie Chaplin, was an Academy Award-winning English comedy actor. Chaplin became one of the most famous actors as well as a notable director, composer and musician in the early to mid Hollywood cinema era. He is considered to have been one of the finest mimes and clowns ever caught on film and has greatly influenced performers in this field. He acted in, directed, scripted, produced, and eventually scored his own films. Chaplin was also one of the most creative and influential personalities in the silent-film era. His working life in entertainment spanned over 65 years, from the Victorian stage and music hall in the United Kingdom as a child performer, almost until his death at the age of eighty-eight. Chaplin's high-profile public and private life encompassed highs and lows with both adulation and controversy. His principal character was "The Tramp" (known as "Charlot" in France and the French-speaking world, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Romania, and Turkey, and as "Carlitos" in Brazil). "The Tramp" is a vagrant with the refined manners and dignity of a gentleman. The character wears a tight coat, oversized trousers and shoes, and a derby; carries a bamboo cane; and has a signature toothbrush moustache.
Irvin Romig
Irvin “Ricky” Romig was born into show business and was working in the family’s acts by the age of four. An acrobatic clown skilled in comedy falls; Irv appeared with many circuses throughout the 1930’s and 1940’s, including the Walter l. Main Circus, Kelly Miller Bros., and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Irv performed over twenty years with the Detroit Shrine Circus. From 1952 through 1964, Irv had a daily television show on WXYZ in Detroit. Five times a week, Ricky the Clown came into people’s homes and hearts. Today, Irv Romig is 81 and can look back on a clowning career that spans more than three quarters of a century. Still so clown oriented that is almost impossible to get him to talk about any other subject, he continues to perform at parties and local shows.
2002 Alvin Eisenberg, Barry “Grandma” Lubin, Charlie Caroli, Harold “Happy” Kellems****
Alvin Eisenberg
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Avner Eisenberg, a hobo clown attended several universities, eventually earning a BA in theatre from the University of Washington in 1971. He then went to Paris, to participate in a 2-year study of mime with the French master, LeCoq; however, he took a year off to tour as a puppeteer with Vagabond Marionettes. After his return to America, Avner taught at Carlo Clementi's Dell'Arte School of Physical Comedy in California. He felt strongly indebted to these two masters, having said: "LeCoq who taught me everything I know, and Carlo who taught me the rest." In 1984, his one-man show, "Avner the Eccentric" became a hit on Broadway, continuing through 1985. His first major motion picture role followed in 1985, portraying "The Jewel" in "The Jewel of the Nile," co-starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. He continued appearing on the screen, large and small; in 1987 he portrayed "Emit Kelly" on the TV series "Mathnet", and portrayed "Carlos the Magnificent" in the "Brenda Starr" movie. In 1987 he co-starred in Lincoln Center's production of Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors,", and in 1989 he returned to Broadway in a principal role in "Ghetto." You might expect that during a career so busy and varied that Avner would have won numerous awards -- and you would be right. The Eccentric is a brilliant comic. Avner uses his skills to create a one man symphony, beautifully paced and more often then not, hurt yourself hysterically funny.
Barry “Grandma” Lubin
A member of the 1974 class of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, he performed for 5 years with the Greatest Show on Earth. He also performed at the prestigious International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo in 1977. Since 1982, Barry has been featured in 15 productions of the Big Apple Circus and has become that show's Director of Clowning conceiving, co-writing and starring in the Big Apple Circus' production Grandma Goes to Hollywood. He performed at the 6th International Circus Festival of Budapest in January, 2006 where he was awarded the Special Prize from the Director of The Great Moscow Circus. Outside the ring he has appeared (sans makeup) 4 times on the Late Show with David Letterman. His directorial credits include comedy segments for music videos on MTV, Snappy Dance Company in Boston and CBS's Circus of the Stars. He was a creative consultant for NBC's Cheers, and served as Executive Producer, Creator, and Writer of two pilots for Nickelodeon Networks along with partner Yvette Kaplan, for which he also starred. He directed Cousin Grumpy's comedy pig act, Carlos Swenson's comedy horse act, and his cat, Romeo, making him America's Foremost Animal Comedy Director.
Charlie Caroli (1915-1980)
Charlie Cairoli (February 15, 1910 in Milan - February 17, 1980 in Blackpool) was a famous British clown, impressionist and musician. Born to a travelling circus family of French origin, he began his performing career at the age of seven, and, after visiting the Blackpool Tower Circus in 1939, chose to stay. Cairoli was distinguished by his red nose and bowler hat, and came to prominence in the UK in the 1970s owing to his frequent television appearances. He was possibly the best known clown on TV at one time, and had a career that spanned well over forty years. He was the only clown to have been the subject of 'This is Your Life', where he was introduced as the "king of clowns". He performed at the Blackpool Tower Circus every summer season for thirty-nine years, a world record for the most performances at a single venue.
Harold “Happy” Kellems (1905-1987)
Happy Kellems was a tramp-character clown, minstrel, and vaudeville performer. A native of Evansville, Indiana, he began his entertainment career in medicine shows, joined by longtime partner, Van Wells. Together they moved to vaudeville and burlesque and then turning to minstrel shows, which became their great love. Kellems supposedly produced the last minstrel show in the U.S. Beginning with a Shrine Circus in 1933, Happy developed a comical character, which brought laughter from audiences throughout the country. He toured with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Clyde Beatty Circus, Cole Bros. Sells-Floto and many other circuses.
2004 Earl “Mr. Clown” Chaney, Pinto Colvig, W.D. “Curley” Robbins, Giovanni “Nino” Zoppe
Earl “Mr. Clown” Chaney
Earl “Mr. Clown” Chaney has been making children of all ages laugh for over twenty years.
He perfected his clowning talent in Clown College, from which he graduated, and went on to become one of the best-loved clown characters with the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus from 1972 through 1975.
After leaving the circus to pursue his own business interests in the clowning field, he played throughout the United States from 1975 through 1984 with “Buttons’ Clown Alley” and “American Contemporary Clowns.” During this same time Earl Chaney was the original Ronald McDonald, seen on many McDonald television ads, for over 20 years. He has also conducted clowning lectures for such prestigious organizations as Clowns of America, The World Clown Association, The Shriners, and others from coast to coast. Spreading his knowledge through joy-filled lectures continues to be a big part of his business. In addition to teaching the art of clowning, since 1982 Earl Chaney has lectured on magic, at which he is extremely adept. Groups before which he has appeared include the Magic Get-Together in Anaheim, California, The Bakersfield Mystics, and the Society of American Magicians chapter in Omaha, Nebraska, and other chapters throughout the United States. At his home base in Las Vegas, Nevada, he conducts a thriving clowning operation called, “Mister Clown’s Suitcase Circus.” He entertains at birthday parties, school programs, trade shows, conventions, grand openings, sales promotions, church functions, and has appeared in numerous newspaper and magazine articles, as well as radio and television programs and commercials. Earl also has a very unique, magic shop called Planet Mirth, located next to Studio Open. He will show you magic tricks and dazzle you with his talents, not only of magic, but also with his natural ability to bring a smile to your face. After taking a class at Studio Open, don’t forget to pick up a sparkle of magic from Earl before you leave.
Pinto Colvig (1892-1967)
Colvig was the quintessential clown whose own identity was always hidden but whose innate warm-hearted character always came through his many talents. His humor tickled the funnybone and touched the heart. Incredibly gifted in music, art and mime, he spoke to different generations in different roles: as a child clown playing a squeaky clarinet, as a full-fledged circus clown under the big top, as a newspaper cartoonist, as a film animator, as a mimic and sound effects wizard, and as the voice of dozens of well-known characters on film, records, radio and television. Vance DeBar Colvig was born in Jacksonville, Oregon, on September 11, 1892. His school friends nicknamed him after a spotted horse named "Pinto" because of his freckled face - and just like his freckles, the name stuck for his entire life. He learned to make people laugh by making faces and playing pranks. He also spent hours mimicking the sounds around him: a rusty gate, farm animals, sneezes, wind, cars, trains, etc. Along the way he picked up his instrument of choice, the clarinet, and soon played well enough to join the town band. It was the clarinet that got Pinto into show business when he was 12. Visiting Portland's "Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition" with his father William, he was magnetized by "The Crazy House" on the Midway where a huckster attracted the crowd with a bass drum and shouts of "Hubba Hubba!" Pinto told the man he could play "squeaky" clarinet and ran back to the hotel to get his instrument. He was hired on the spot and given some oversized old clothes and a derby and, for the first time, white makeup and a clown face. The man told Pinto, "Now you look like a real bozo" ("bozo" was a name given to hobo or tramp clowns in those days). Pinto's act was to play a screechy clarinet while distorting his face and crossing his eyes at the high notes. He later recalled, "I never was able to get circuses and carnivals out of my blood after that." He became known for his clever cartoons in student publications, his funny "chalk talk" performances improvising a monologue while quickly sketching cartoons, and his unconventional lifestyle. In Seattle, Washington he joined a circus band and traveled throughout the country struggling to make ends meet. In 1914 he landed a job as a newspaper cartoonist at the "Nevada Rockroller" in Reno, and later the "Carson City News" in Carson City. When the Al G. Barnes Circus came through Carson City, Pinto dropped everything and joined the troupe, once again clowning and playing his clarinet in the circus band. In those days circuses closed down each winter and Pinto returned to newspaper cartooning wherever he could find a job. He greatly enjoyed cartooning and considered it another form of clowning. "A cartoonist," he said, "is just a clown with a pencil." While Pinto toiled daily to meet newspaper commitments, he began to spend evenings experimenting with the animation of cartoons and eventually set up his own studio, Pinto Cartoon Comedies Co., where he created one of the first animated silent films in color called "Pinto's Prizma Comedy Revue (1919)". In 1922, after realizing that San Francisco was not the place to break into the movie business, he moved his family to Hollywood. There he would be able to continue his animation work and find a wealth of other things that he could do. He was overjoyed one day to get an offer to join Mack Sennett, the reigning king of movie comedies, who had developed one of the most successful studios of the day, the Keystone Film Co., home of the famous Keystone Kops, Charles Chaplin and many others. Sennett needed an experienced animator for his own films, but Pinto soon found himself also writing and acting in comedies and dramas. In 1928 he teamed up with his friend Walter Lantz to create an early talking cartoon, "Bolivar, the Talking Ostrich (1928)", but unlike Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie (1928), it failed to become a hit. Pinto and Lantz, who would later be the voice of Woody Woodpecker, gave up and went to larger studios. Disney, who was making "Mickey Mouse" and "Silly Symphony" cartoons, signed Pinto to a contract in 1930. Pinto worked on stories, co-wrote songs such as the lyrics to "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" and was the original voice of animated characters such as Goofy and Pluto, Grumpy and Sleepy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and the Practical Pig in "Three Little Pigs." Disney cartoonists copied many of Pinto's facial expressions while drawing animal characters for the cartoons. He left Disney in 1937 following a fallout with Walt and Disney proceeded to reuse his old voice tracks. Meanwhile, Pinto freelanced voices and sound effects for Warner Bros. cartoons, sang for some of the Munchkins during Dorothy's arrival scenes in MGM's The Wizard of Oz (1939), and also joined Max Fleischer Studios in Miami, where he did the voice of Gabby in Gulliver's Travels (1939) and the blustering of Bluto in "Popeye the Sailor" cartoons. He returned to Disney in 1941 and continued to freelance for them and on radio programs for others. He was the original Maxwell automobile on Jack Benny's show, the hiccupping horse for Dennis Day, and a variety of voices for "Amos `n Andy." His live radio experience and contacts introduced him to the recording industry. He did several albums before encountering one of his best-known characters, Bozo the Clown. It was 1946 when Capitol Records in Hollywood hired Alan Livingston as a writer/producer. His initial assignment was to create a children's record library, for which he came up with the soon-to-be-legendary Bozo character. He wrote and produced a popular series of storytelling record-album and illustrative read-along book sets, beginning with the September 1946 release of "Bozo at the Circus." His record-reader concept, which enabled children to read and follow a story in pictures while listening to it, was the first of its kind. The Bozo image was a composite design of Livingston's, derived from a variety of clown pictures and then given to an artist to turn into comic-book-like illustrations. Livingston then hired Pinto to portray the character. "Pinto came in," Livingston recalls, "and turned out to be a very jolly, likable fellow with the kind of warm, folksy voice I wanted. He didn't talk down to children." Not only did Livingston get a perfect Bozo voice in Pinto, he also got most of the animals and odd creatures under the sea and in outer space, all for the price of one. On some of the records, Pinto provided as many as eight other voices. The series turned out to be a smash hit for Capitol, selling over eight million albums in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The character also became a mascot for the record company and was later nicknamed "Bozo the Capitol Clown." Pinto, as Bozo, also starred in the very first Bozo television series, "Bozo's Circus" (1949) on KTTV-Channel 11 (CBS) in Los Angeles, made numerous guest appearances on radio and personal appearance tours all over the country. He especially enjoyed his visits to children's hospitals and orphanages, according to Pinto, "doin' my silly stuff to make them laugh." Pinto's Bozo ended in 1956 when Larry Harmon, one of several actors hired by Livingston and Capitol to portray Bozo at promotional appearances, formed a business partnership and bought the licensing rights to the character (excluding the record-readers) from Capitol and Livingston. In 1958 Jayark Films Corp. began distributing Bozo limited-animation cartoons to television stations, along with the rights for each to hire its own live Bozo host. Harmon produced and provided the voice of the character in the cartoons. On January 5, 1959, Bozo returned to television beginning with a live 30-minute weeknight show on KTLA-Channel 5 in Los Angeles. Although Pinto's Bozo days were over, it was his son, Vance Colvig Jr., whom KTLA chose as the live Bozo host. Vance's portrayal and the KTLA show lasted for six years, at which time Harmon bought out his partners and continued to market the character through his Larry Harmon Pictures Corp. If Pinto had any dark years, they were during World War II. Four of his five sons were of eligible age and his wife felt the dread that millions of mothers felt, which may have complicated an illness that made her a semi-invalid for several years. Pinto took care of her until her death in 1950. Throughout his life Pinto was upbeat and cheerful, convinced that laughter was the world's best medicine. "Sure, there have been kicks in the pants and occasionally an empty gut," he once said, "but those are the jolts what pushes a guy upward and onward!" His letters, though touching on his philosophy, were never serious but always funny and filled with odd typing effects, extraneous capitalization, underlining, misspellings and strange made-up words. He also lavished his letters and envelopes with outrageous cartoons and balloons filled with gags. He kept regular correspondence with clown legends Felix Adler, Emmett Kelly, Lou Jacobs and Otto Griebling, and visited "clown alley" whenever a circus came to the Los Angeles area.
W.D. “Curly” Robbins
Curly Robins began his clown career in 1959. He volunteered to be a clown at a underprivileged children’s Christmas party and found he had a passion for it. In 1962, a booking agent for Clyde Beatty – Cole Bros asked him if he’d like to appear with the circus. Curly is known for his many appearances with the Shrine Circuses. He won many awards for face make-up, costumes and character and was featured in the advertisement for Tebala Temple Shrine Circus. He performed on Tzv as a white face, auguste and hobo clown. He was internationally know for over 40 years of performance. He was known for his humor and generosity.
Giovanni “ Nino” Zoppe
Sixth-generation circus performer Giovanni Zoppé has nothing against the modern lions-and-tigers-and-bears spectacle of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, or the Vegas-style slickness of Cirque du Soleil. He just doesn’t think high-concept shows like those capture the essence of the circus. “If somebody came to see our show, they would see what the circus was like a hundred years ago,” says Zoppé, a part-time Pilsen resident and performer in his family’s theatrical circus. Though he only recently returned to Chicago, Zoppé’s roots tie him to the Midwest—he was born in the parking lot of WGN studios following a family appearance on Bozo the Clown in 1966. The Zoppé show is something akin to a child’s pure, more simplistic idea of circus entertainment, he says: some equestrian feats and dancing dogs, human balancing acts on tin cans, and clowns performing pratfalls and toying with the audience. Originally hailing from Italy, the Zoppé family is a traveling band of performers and animals that makes appearances mostly at fairs, carnivals and parks around the country each summer. (In the off-season, the family disbands into solo acts, working as actors and stunt people and performing at other circuses independently.) Legend has it that the
family circus, said to be the first tent circus in all of Italy, began in 1842, when a French clown and Hungarian ballerina fell in love and ran off to start their own show in Venice. Over the next century, the circus traveled throughout northern Italy.
“Lifetime of Laughter Awards”
1990 Larry Harmon - (purchased the rights to Bozo the Clown Character) popularized “Bozo”the Clown TV character in the 1950’s spanning over 30 years. A man who has brought joy to children of all ages by letting the laughter loose and made the world a happier place.
1990 Willard Scott - First Television appearance was as “Bozo” the Clown. Became the first Ronald McDonald and has continued to let the laughter loose.
1991 Max Patkin - Called the “Clown Prince of Baseball” for many years has entertained as a clown.
1991 Aye Jaye - Who has attained the status as master and boss clown. He continues to let the laughter loose. He is an accomplished author of “Smoozing”.
1992 Allen Hall - Honored for his work on the Bozo Show on WGN television in Chicago. He directed the first Bozo Circus Show in September of 1961.
1993 Kohl & Company - The funniest magic comedy act in America. Standing ovations for their performances around the world.
1994 Ben Barkin - Founding organizer and permanent trustee of the Great Circus Parade since 1963. Dedicated to brings miles of smiles to children of all ages with the Great Circus Parade.
1995 Dr. Joel Goodman - Founder and director of the Humor Project in Sarasota Springs, New York. Has been described as “the first full time humor educator in the world”.
1997 Charles “Chappie” Fox - was a circus historian/philanthropist born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin who greatly expanded the Circus World Museum and helped found the Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee. Fox took over the tiny museum, in Baraboo, Wisconsin, in 1960, and began to collect and restore antique circus wagons. In 1963, Fox and Ben Barkin, under the sponsorship of the Schlitz Brewing Company, began the Great Circus Parade. A self-trained circus historian, Fox wrote and edited many books about circus animals, advertising and imagery, and also authored many children's stories.
1998 Alan Livingston – Original creator of children’s record library with recordings by his original creation of the clown character “Bozo” prior to 1950’s. He also produced many products for Walt Disney and Warner Brothers Studios among others.
1999 Keith “Glitsy” Crary- Former R&B circus clown. Native of Wisconsin, started clowning in Milwaukee by visiting hospitals until 1968 when he joined the circus. He continues to volunteer for AIDS babies and an annual Christmas performance as Glitzy. Well known for his yearly in the great Circus Parade.
2000 Meadowlark Lemon – Clown Prince of Basketball. Member of the Harlem Globetrotters since 1957. He entertained with tricks and antics performed with child like joy.