Clown Alley Black History Month: Preston Crawford

Preston Crawford, Kevin Thompson, Kevin McGowan and....I think Christopher Hudert performing on the Ringling Blue Unit in 1984.

Peggy Williams: Ring of Fame 2023

 

Sorry this is a few days late. I've been dealing with a leak under my trailer's floor. Luckily it is fixed and I don't own the trailer anyway!

Congratulations to Peggy Williams who was inducted into the Ring of Fame in Sarasota, FL on Saturday Feb 4th surrounded by friends, family and her peers.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Huel Speight

Huel Speight, Greg Sherman, and Laura Pape perform a hat routine on the Ringling Blue Unit in 1989.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Robert "Onionhead" Dunn

Robert Dunn, or as he is known to thousands of fans of the Universoul Circus, Onionhead, speaks with a "reporter" promoting the show's run in Chicago in 2019. 

Clown Alley Black History Month: Dean Anderson

Dean Anderson, Jeff Wolff, and Gordon Klein laying some carpet in the 1986 Clown College graduation. 

Clown Alley Black History Month: Carlos Ragas

Carlos Ragas, Larry Fortunato, and David Duby performing a pizza gag on the Ringling Red Unit in 1989.

This gag was developed in Clown College the year before by Andy Martello and Larry Fortunato. 

Bernhard Paul’s 40th Birthday 1987

 

Please excuse the translation:

Such a festival hadn't been there for a very long time! ✨

Circus founder, director and clown Bernhard Paul was invited to his 40th in a tent filled with 700 celebrity guests. They were cooked by 40 star chefs with a total of 40 stars from all over Germany, who came up with 40 exclusive desserts. The main course ? Vienna Schnitzel, of course! 🍽 🍽

I Love Lucy: Lucy Hates Grapes

The Hollywood Reporter resurfaced a 1974 interview Ball did with "The Dick Cavett Show." She was asked about one of her favorite episodes, to which she said "grapes" – referencing the beloved moment from the "Lucy's Italian Movie" episode. 

However, she revealed that she thought she was going to be killed. Ball was joined by Teresa Tirelli D'Amico for the grape-stomping scene — but a language barrier kept the two from understanding one another.

Tirelli, who only spoke Italian, took an accident to heart.

"[Tirelli] was told that there would be a fight, and it was also explained to her that there were times when my legs had to come up in this huge vat of real grapes," Ball said. "I slipped and when I slipped, I hit her, accidentally. And she took offense. So, she hauled off and let me have it. This was supposed to happen, that she got right! But when she hit me ... took all the wind out of me."

"She kept me down by the throat," Ball continued. "I had grapes up my nose, in my ears, and she was choking me." 

Los Rivelinos 1988

Los Rivelinos performing in Circo Espana in 1988.

Rest In Peace: Ceslee Conkling

Taken from the world twenty-nine years ago today. Here she is with Margie Talavera performing a doctor gag on the Ringling Blue Unit in 1992.

BREAKING NEWS: ICHOF Announces 2023 Induction Candidates!

Five days into the new year, the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is very proud to announce the 2023 Inductees!

Please welcome -

The legendary Rastelli family

Tom & Tammy Parish

Ruth Anne Chaddock

Paul Jerome

The Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome these amazing clowns and their contributions to the art of clowning into the ICHOF.

Each has left an distinct imprint of the craft of clowning and have inspired generations of clowns and their audiences with their talents and dedication.

Details following very soon as to Induction time, place & date.

Big Apple Circus: Bello and Francesco

 

Bello Nock and Francesco Brunaud on Big Apple Circus for the 1999/2000 season “Bello and Friends”.

Happy Lou Year 2023!

Lou Jacobs and Pee-Wee performing his renowned hunting gag. Lou was making a special appearance on the Blue Unit's 1982 television special.