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.

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.

www.theclownmuseum.com

The Bozo Show Final Episode

On July 14th, 2001 the final episode of the Bozo Show aired on WGN. I grew up in the era of Cooky and Wizzo, but also watched religiously as a teen during the Rusty era.

While touring with the Kelly Miller Circus, Ryan and I were able to visit with Marshall Brodien, aka Wizzo, at his home, and tour his collection of magic and Bozo show props, costumes, and other ephemera. 

At multiple Ringling reunions I was able to talk with Robin Eurich, aka Rusty the Handyman, who just passed away two years ago, and I was also able to meet Joey D'Auria, who played Bozo from 1984 until the end of the series, and tell him how much he and the show meant to me.

Enough making this about me! Enjoy the final episode of the Bozo Show!