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.

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!

ICHOF Fall Schedule

 

The Bazan Musical Clowns

Mr. Robb

A wonderful video featuring performance footage and an interview with Robb Zeiser 

Otto Griebling: Master Clown

A wonderful pictorial tribute to one of the greatest clowns who ever lived, Mr. Otto Griebling

Carl Ballantine

The hilarious comedy magic of Carl Ballantine 

Los Munoz

 

In Remembrance of Pat Cashin

Pat Cashin left us way too soon, eight years ago today. I was reading articles about him today and was shocked that he was only 48 years old when he passed away, which is especially sobering since I am now 40.

Pat was one of the funniest people I knew, and I still laugh thinking about the many outrageous and hilarious things he said every time I talked to him.

There are so many things going on in the world that I would love to hear his unique take on. I always admired what a great father he was, and I wish that was something I could pick his brain about now that I'm a single dad.

Please enjoy Pat's promo reel from awhile back featuring his work on several different circuses.

We miss and love you, Kunckle Head!

Circus History Spotlight featuring Leo Acton

Veteran Culpepper & Merriweather clown Leo Acton compares the differences of performing with The Greatest Show on Earth to a small circus that stays within small-town America. Circus History Spotlight! is a video series by the Circus Historical Society, a tax exempt not for profit educational organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of circus. Learn more and join today at https://circushistory.org.

Remembering Rob Torres

Before he took the international circus world by storm, Rob Torres was one of the students of the Ringling Clown College class of 1991 vying for a job with The Greatest Show on Earth. 

Instead he accomplished so much more before he left us way too soon six years ago on June 26th, 2018. Please forgive my tardy posting, and rest in peace, Rob.

Ringling 1993: Big Bike

Ringmaster Eric Michael Gillett, Boss Clown Dave DeDera as the old lady, and cyclists Darren Cooper, Max Richardson, Ray LeClair, David Frank, and Zac Whinnem performing the big bike routine on the Ringling Red Unit in 1993.

This was during David Larible's tenure as headliner on the Red Unit, so this was the Alley's one big ring spot for the tour.

As a kid I remember being disappointed that there wasn't more of the Alley clowns in the show, although between Come In gags, track gags, and walkarounds, they were doing more that the clowns got to do in the final decade or so of the show's run before the "closing" in 2017.

This act was on the Blue and Red Units in 2000-2001 and 2011-2012 respectively, but done by Eastern European acrobats. 

It is my understanding that the clowns in this act suffered many injuries from the apparatus, which is not surprising. That thing is a beast! 

In Remembrance: Leon "Buttons" McBryde

Leon McBryde passed away today. Many people know him best as Buttons, a clown who got his start in the business by graduating from the Ringling Clown College in 1969.

After spending a year on the Blue Unit, he toured ahead of the Greatest Show on Earth as a Goodwill Ambassador. 

His true legacy to clowns will be his work in clown education as a founder of the program Advanced Studies, of which he is a founding member, and also as a top clown nose maker. Leon and his wife Linda created the company Proknows, which sold all kind of clown supplies, most notably a fantastic array of clown noses that the majority of clowns in America have worn.

Throughout his career Leon performed as Santa, which became his main source of performing in his later years. 

He is an inductee of both the International Clown Hall of Fame and the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame, and was a loved and respected practitioner in both fields.

Above is a video of Leon and Michael "Coco" Polakovs taken at Advanced Studies in the 1990s.

What I have written is just a brief glimpse into Leon's long, full life. Please feel free to add more information, stories, or thoughts in the comments below. 

Rodeo Clown J.J. Harrison

Rodeo clown J.J. Harrison performing at the National Western Stock Show in 2013

Jan Damm: Circus Flora

Here is Jan Damm, who just finished touring with the new Ringling show, performing in the 2023 Circus Flora production, 'Undercover'.

From the New England Center for Circus Arts website: 

"Jan Damm began performing juggling shows for kids in central Maine when he was 12 years old. Since then he has toured nationally and around the world as a professional clown and circus artist. Highlights include headlining the production show on Celebrity Cruises ‘Silhouette’, Montreal’s ‘Festival Completement Cirque’ with ‘Midnight Circus’, playing Broadway with ‘Cirque Mechanics’, ‘Big Apple Circus’ 40th Anniversary Tour, and performance intervention work in Haiti and Lebanon with ‘Clowns Without Borders’. He’s also appeared on David Letterman, and with Circus Bella, Circus Zoppe, Flynn Creek Circus, and Circus Flora among others. Jan has a passion for coaching and creation, and has worked as an instructor throughout the country, including coaching featured acts on Smirkus Big Top Tour. He lives with his wife and circus partner Ariele, and their children Timo and Ilsa."

Clown College Makeup Class

 

Photo courtesy of Steve Marshall

Here are some of the students of the Ringling Clown College class of 1983 painting their faces in makeup class. 

Note the photos of previous graduates on the wall that the new students could study for inspiration in coming up with their unique clown face.

This photo was taken by Steve Marshall, who was a graduate of the class of 1983, and toured with the show's Red and Gold Units. He currently performs as a magician in Japan.

Mr Lorenz

Mr Lorenz aka Lorenzo Carnevale performing at the 45th International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo in 2023.

Give Back Sunday: Benefitting the ICHOF

Mark your calendars for this Give Back Sunday event on June 23rd, benefiting the International Clown Hall of Fame. This is an all day event dedicated to fundraising for the cause.

The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is a not-for profit 501 (c) 3 organization located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Since they opened their doors to the public they have had thousands of guests visit in person and view the most amazing collection of clown artifacts in the world.

Learn more about them at:  International Clown Hall of Fame

GIVE BACK SUNDAY: 
10% of our 06/23 brewery sales plus direct donations taken at the bar will be donated. The International Clown Hall of Fame will be selling some awesome memorabilia you won't want to miss out on. 

We hope you can come out and show your support for the local community!

Happy Birthday, Bill Irwin

 Happy 74th birthday to one of the absolute best, Mr. Bill Irwin.

Birthday Greetings by Jason & Justin Senft

Photo: Mark Seliger

Nick & Squid: Movie Act

From Nick: 

NiCK & SQUiD are a clown duo currently based out of Dallas, TX USA. Previous employers include but are not limited to: "Lone Star Circus", "Circus Espana" and the historic Italian circus "Circo Peppino Medini". NiCK & SQUiD's style of clowning is a mix of Theatre and Circus. By implementing strong visual elements, storytelling, humor and audience participation their content can be easily understood by various cultures around the world. Nick is a second generation circus clown and when he found Squid in 2015 he instantly fell in love with her!

In Memorium: Aaron Daniel Tucker

Aaron Tucker graduated from the Ringling Clown College in 1988. Here he is in the graduation performance with Eric Zander performing their lumberjack gag. 

Clown College 1988 Lumberjack Gag

Aaron performed on the Ringling Blue Unit in 1989 and then the Red Unit in 1990. Here he is performing a cowboy gag on the Blue Unit in 1989 with Kevin Thompson.

Ringling 1989 Cowboy Gag

Post Ringling Aaron studied with Avner Eisenberg, aka Avner the Eccentric and also Aitor Basauri of Spymonkey, and he was frequently involved with The Celebration Barn in Maine.

Aaron also toured with Fabulous Problemas, a trio show that he co-wrote and performed with Amanda Huotari and Daniel Orrantia. 

The Fabulous Problemas

More recently Aaron performed all over Japan with the renowned Kinoshita Circus alongside many clown partners, most recently Jessi Hoffschildt and Randy Brake. Here he is performing on Kinoshita with Sean Hartman in 2002.

Kinoshita 2002 Ring Toss

Aaron Tucker passed away on April 2nd.

More information from Aaron’s longtime friend, Jay Stewart:

“Not mentioned here are that Tucker was a founding member of The Seaside Clowns in Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as a powerhouse member of The Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Hasbro Children’s Hospital, in Providence, RI.  And, it should be noted that Tucker was an accomplished musician, fronting his own band, The Sleepwalkers, as well as walking stilts all over New England for Bravo Brothers Entertainment.

Tucker showed that the word “Clown” is a big umbrella, covering a lot of disciplines, skills and outreach.

Rest in Peace, brother”

Please feel free to share your memories or photos of Aaron in the comments.

Cirque Du Soleil: "Best of Clowning"

Over an hour of Cirque Du Soleil clowning from the shows Totem, O, Luzia, Alegria, Saltimbanco, Volta, Kurios, Dralion, Kooza, Le Cirque Reinvente, Luzia, and Novelle Experience.

Clown College 1993: Edge and Trick

Edge (Edzui Szumowski) and Trick Kelly performing a Greg DeSanto directed gag in the 1993 Ringling Clown College graduation performance.

Tickey the Clown

"Tickey the clown was South Africas premier clown from 1960s onwards and become a household name in South African entertainment. He was named after the smallest coin in circulation, the tickey. He is seen here performing with his long time partner Lew Mitchem, circus performer and impresario."

Los Pepín León Trio

The Spanish trio, Los Pepín León performing in the Cirque Achille Zavatta in Paris for the 1982/1983 season.

Rocco Paris Circus Circus

One of my favorite clowns, Rocco Paris, performing as his old man character at Circus Circus in Las Vegas, NV. I had the pleasure of seeing Rocco live last year when our tour stopped in Vegas, and watching him is a true master class in physical comedy.

Les Rossyan

Last but certainly not least, it is a thrill to be sharing the bill with Yann Rossi, the white clown from the wonderful musical clown family, Les Rossyan, seen here at the 1997 International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo.

Fumagalli and Darius

I am also excited to share the bill at Monte Carlo with the great Fumagalli and his brother, Darius, here performing my favorite of his entrées on Italian television in 2014.

Petit Gougou and Eddy Sosman

I am very excited to get to work with Petit Gougou here in Monte Carlo as he assumes the role of Mr. Loyal, the ringmaster of the festival. 

Here he and his partner Eddy Sosman perform an excellent plate entreé on Circus Knie in 1988. 

The Salvini Musical Clowns

The Salvini clowns from Italy performing on a German circus twelve years ago.

Happy Lou Year 2024

What better way to ring in the new year than with the man whose face is synonymous with the word "clown" AND who was born on January 1st one hundred and twenty-one years ago!

My Lou Year's resolution is to start regularly posting on this blog again. It was a busy year for me: being a single father, pulling triple duty as clown, publicity director, and social media manager for Cirque Italia's Paranormal Cirque II (as well as running influencer outreach for all five of the company's units). I am currently in Offenburg, Germany performing with my partner, Ryan Combs, in Zirkus Charles Knie's Offenburger Weihnachtscircus, AND we are preparing to appear in the upcoming International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo!

Ok, enough complaining and shameless self promotion. Stay tuned for a long overdue tribute to the late, great clown, Gaston Häni, and plenty more clowny goodness in the year to come.

Have a great 2024, everyone!