A Pictorial History of Old-Time Circus Clowns

A collection of old and rare circus clown photos provided by Frank and Violet Rehak and edited by Chappie Fox.

Some great stuff in here. Unfortunately there is also Jack Harris.... I hope an elephant pooped on him.

A Moving Conversation

 

Christy McDonald Atkinson's walkaround from Clown College 1989. I look at that prop and just imagine trying to make it through some of those narrow arena hallways. That's probably a good reason why it didn't make it on tour, because it is a heck of a visual. 

ICHOF 2025 Inductees

The Board of Directors of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center are supremely happy to announce the 2025 Inductees!

We feel that each clown chosen has contributed, in both their body of work as well as their passion to elevate clowning and physical comedy to heights that reflect excellence.

The one and only George Carl who spent a career honing an act that represents comedy perfection.

Albert “Flo” White, one of the most recognizable and photographed whiteface clowns in American clown history.

Freddie Trenkler, the first ice show comic to be inducted into the ICHOF. His skill on skates and his ability to hold the attention of an arena audience as a solo character allowed many future clowns who perform in huge venues the opportunity to follow in his footsteps.

Pio Nock, part of a historic generational circus family, he took his comedy to new heights as the first daredevil clown performer.

Bello Nock, nephew to Pio, he continues to leave his mark on modern audiences with his unique characterization and his ability to present daredevil thrill comedy to new generations.

Frank “Slivers” Oakley, one of the most important clowns in all of clown history. His work and legacy influenced everyone from Marceline, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton & Red Skelton. His baseball entree was given solo status in the mammoth Barnum & Bailey Circus, the very first clown to be afforded that honor.

The ICHOF is also awarding the legendary Dick Van Dyke a “Lifetime of Laughter” award. His body of work in film, Broadway and of course television is unsurpassed. Today, at the age of 99, Mr. Van Dyke continues to enhance his profession with his humility, kindness and humor.

We all hope you will join us in congratulating the ICHOF Inductees of 2025!

Otis and Onionhead

 

Garry "Otis" Irvingwhite and Robert "Onionhead" Dunn on Universoul Circus. 

Toby Circus Ballantine

 

Toby Circus Ballantine, son of Ringling clown, artist, author, and dean of Clown College, Bill Ballantine, photographed by Marc Hauser in 1981 on what I assume is a Shrine date.

Trey Key

 

Here is Trey Key performing a Barnum's Animal Crackers walk around when he was a student in the Ringling Clown College class of 1990.

Trey performed as a clown on Kelly Miller Circus and has owned Culpepper Merriweather Circus for many years. 

Otto Griebling

 

Otto, photographed at the Boston Garden in 1955 by P. Tharp.

Happy Lou Year!

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful, laughter filled 2025!

 

Lou Jacobs

 

I have never seen this photo of Lou before, but it is pretty darned awesome. 

Grock Artwork

Grock- Taquineries 1997

Grock- Le Petit Violon Enchanté 1994

Two wonderful pieces of art from Laurent Diercksen, who wrote the 1999 book, "Grock: An Extraordinary Destiny". 

 

Rie "Elizabeth" Sekine

 

Rie Sekine, a graduate of the Clown College Japan class of 1990 and the only CCJ grad to perform on the American Ringling show (Blue Unit 1999-2000 and Red Unit 2002-2004) with her husband, Steve Lough.

Unknown Circus/Unknown Alley

 

Just look at those happy harlequins, just ready to tickle your funny bone! 

Some very.....interesting makeups in this group! Would appreciate any info anyone might have. 

ICHOF Black Friday

 

Avoid the crowds and trampling! Get the perfect gift for the clown lover in your life during our Black Friday Sale.

20% off all items online at https://www.theclownmuseum.com/giftshop

Online and Friday only!

Ringling Red Unit Lady Clowns 1979

The female members of the 1979 Ringling Red Unit Clown Alley. From left to right Tina (Stotts) Kitt, Peggy Williams, Ruthie Chaddock, Danise (Wilson) Payne, and Kathy Herb.

You can hear plenty of wonderful stories about these women and many more clowns and circus personalities in Danise's excellent book, Elbows in my Ears: My Life with Little People, Tigers, and Wardrobe Trunks.

This photo is a new one for me; I've never seen it before. If you enjoy seeing rare clown photos and video clips on this blog, consider a donation to the International Clown Hall of Fame. 

Help us continue to archive and document clown history so it can be accessed by future generations. 

We currently have a fundraiser going, and we have recently been told that a very generous supporter of the ICHOF has offered to match every dollar up to our goal of $2,000!

We are over halfway there, so help us reach the finish line HERE!

Ringling Red Unit Clowns 1973

 

David Nicksay, Frosty Little, Keith Crary, Lou Jacobs, Barbara Nadel, and David Wisniewski celebrate the 4th of July, 1973 with a big ol' comedy rocket (maybe from Lou's short lived rocket gag?!).

I'm not sure who the showgirls are. I studied clowns as a teen, not girls. Look where that got me!

David Nicksay went on to be a movie producer in Hollywood. He even produced a couple of my favorites (Stay Tuned, Addams Family Values) and I just saw on IMDB he was a producer of the Wicked film that just came out.

Barbara Nadel was an early female grad of Clown College. This is the first time I've ever seen her without her wig. It was a cool wig!

David Wisniewski wrote and illustrated the Caldecott Medal winning picture book, The Golem.

There is plenty of info about Frosty, Lou, and Keith on this blog. Let's show some love to the lesser knowns!

This photo is a new one for me; I've never seen it before. If you enjoy seeing rare clown photos and video clips on this blog, consider a donation to the International Clown Hall of Fame. 

Help us continue to archive and document clown history so it can be accessed by future generations. 

We currently have a fundraiser going, and we have recently been told that a very generous supporter of the ICHOF has offered to match every dollar up to our goal of $2,000!

We are over halfway there, so help us reach the finish line HERE!

A Message From Greg DeSanto, Executive Director of the ICHOF

As we get closer to Thanksgiving we humbly ask for your support to help the International Clown Hall of Fame.

Created in 1986, our museum celebrates and honors professional clowns and the artform. We collected, preserve, exhibit and educate generations, young & old, on the rich history of a universal art. Laughter is one of the greatest gifts we as humans possess, and it’s our honor to share the stories & memories of those who chose to make this their life’s work.

Since 1989, the ICHOF has inducted 84 individuals who have left an indelible mark on the craft of clowning.

2025 will be our 15th Anniversary of the museum being in Baraboo, WI.

We respectfully ask for your help in continuing our mission. We have exciting plans for new exhibits and programming going forward that can only happen with the help of our supporters and friends.

If you have helped us in the past, we remain very grateful. The impact you help us achieve can be seen in the eyes of every guest who tours the museum and leaves with a new, positive appreciation of clowning.

Please take a moment and check out our brand new, updated website - www.theclownmuseum.com

The Board of Directors and myself thank you in advance for your generosity and wish you a happy, healthy holiday season filled with laughter!

Donate Here!

Ernie Burch

 

Ernie Burch looking fabulous on the Ringling show under canvas. 

Clown College Mike Snider

 

Longtime circus clown Mike Snider fresh out of the Ringling Clown College class of 1978. After a brief stint on the Ringling Blue Unit, Mike went to the Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Circus, where he toured for many seasons.

Mike also appeared with the Circus Vargas Alley for a season and as a solo clown on the Cole All Star Circus and Vidbel's Old Tyme Circus before teaming up with Billy Vaughn and becoming a highly respected clown duo.

Unidentified English Clown

 

An unidentified whiteface clown with the Lord John Sanger Circus & Menagerie, most likely taken in the late 1800s.

Bozo's Circus Halloween 1979 with Peggy Williams

Thank you to Beth Grimes and Gregory Parks for sending me this video. A rare, full recording of Bozo's Circus from October 30, 1979 featuring longtime Ringling employee and ICHOF inductee Peggy Williams, who would have been in the Chicago area with the circus at that time.