Wednesday, November 20, 2024

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 goingand 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!

Monday, November 18, 2024

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!




Sunday, November 17, 2024

Thursday, November 07, 2024

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.

Tuesday, November 05, 2024

Unidentified English Clown

 



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

Friday, November 01, 2024

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.

Monday, October 14, 2024

ICHOF New Website



The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is proud to unveil our new website.

Having a dedicated presence on the internet as well as all the social media platforms allows the museum to reach a worldwide audience.
It will allow us to share images, information, updates and notifications that will be current in real time.
This has been a longtime goal of the ICHOF and with the full support of the Board of Directors we present a forever “work in process”. Let it serve as an introduction to the museum, the artifacts we have been entrusted with, and to share the rich history of clowns that bring joy to all audiences, past, present & future.
We must thank Joshua Lancaster for his dedicated work in making this web site possible. Every so often the ICHOF meets an individual that connects with everything we are trying to accomplish. For the last 2 months we’ve had a daily positive, creative & fruitful collaboration with Joshua, and we believe you will agree that his work illuminates our mission perfectly.
We welcome feedback, we hope you enjoy taking the tour of this one of a kind museum and remain grateful for your ongoing support, donations and encouragement.
With laughter-
Greg DeSanto
The Board of Directors of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center.