Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mark Renfro

 

A few photos from his time teaching at Clown College Japan to remember a wonderful man on his birthday. 

Felix and Amelia Adler

 

From the Nashville Banner January 23rd, 1958. I like the story about Felix and Amelia's "meet cute"; remind me to get a pet pig....or put a curly tail and snout on Louie.

Felix talks about losing his clown partner; any ideas who that was? I have heard he teamed up with Jack LeClair (in vaudeville?), but I have never heard of him having a partner on the show. 

Any info would be greatly appreciated! 

Remembering Pat Cashin

It is hard to believe that it has been ten years since Pat Cashin passed away. The last conversation I had with him was about two months before his death. I was on a scissor lift in the Hippodrome Building at Circus World Museum, painting the set for our first version of Nothing But Nonsense.  It was hard to keep my lines straight as Pat made me laugh, just like he always did.

You are greatly missed, Pat. Not a week goes by that I don't think of something you said or did. Even my son quotes you ("That's not a word, you jackass!"); I can hear your laugh in my head whenever he says it.

May his memory live on through his family, his friends, and this blog. 

Clown La Loka

 

Clown La Loka performing on Cyrk Korona in 2025 

Ringling Red Unit in Madison Square Garden 1977

 

From the Connecticut Post May 15th, 1977. The article features some wonderful art from Ray Dirgo.

Jonathan Martin: Universoul Circus

 

Jonathan Martin, a graduate of the 1996 Clown College class, making up for the Universoul Circus in 1997.

Photo credit: John Storey

Frosty Little

 

Frosty Little looking like a kid on Christmas morning. Judging by that smile, he's thinking of all the pumpkin butt First of Mays he's going to clobber with those beautiful George Shellenberger props.

Micheal "Omar Gosh" Ridenour

 

Ringmaster, Brian LaPalme and Michael "Omar Gosh" Ridenour on Great American Circus. 

Mooky the Clown Receives British Empire Medal

From the BBC: 

Laci Endresz - who performs as Mooky the Clown - has been given a British Empire Medal (BEM) for circus entertainment. 

He described his life as a clown at Blackpool Tower's circus as being his "calling in life" and "better than any job in the world".

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "There is no feeling in the world like that when you have some people come up to you after the show and say, 'We have been going through a tough time and for two hours we have forgotten about everything in our lives'."

Endresz was born into a circus family, first performing as a clown in his family's show at the age of four.

He joined Blackpool Tower Circus began in 1992, taking on the role of Mooky the Clown in 1999.

A spokesperson for Blackpool Tourism said that since then he had starred as the headline act in every season for an astonishing 27 consecutive years, never missing a single show.

In addition to performing in more than 350 shows each year, he writes and directs the entire circus production.

Endresz said he was "humbled" to receive the BEM, which was "so special for me and my family".

Kate Shane, managing director of Blackpool Tourism Ltd, said: "This award shines a spotlight on a rarely recognised art form and I couldn't think of anyone more deserving of this honour."

Congratulations, Greg DeSanto

During the culmination of Circus Week this past weekend in Baraboo, WI, Greg DeSanto was surprised with an induction into the International Clown Hall of Fame by the board of directors. 

As always, Greg had the perfect words for the occasion, so why should I write something that will pale in comparison when I can just copy and paste what he said:

I knew this was going to be a hectic, busy weekend of clown business. But as I went from day to day, event to event, clown family began showing up here in Baraboo.

From New York, California, Ohio, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Illinois, Arizona, Missouri, Tennessee, Minnesota, Connecticut, Texas and parts unknown they kept arriving. I know clowns like circus parades, but this was puzzling.

The Clown Hall of Fame was being a part of the Circus Historical Society’s yearly convention, inducting a most wonderful & deserving clown named Jerry Bangs. Must be for him.

The induction was beautiful, heartfelt and long overdue for Mr. Bangs. We were able to play a role in adding significant history, previously unknown, to future generations to learn from. Fulfill our mission.

Our part of the program was finished and our Board President took the dais and microphone in an unrehearsed moment. He then proceeded to show a video of me in performance over the past four decades. There were lovely speeches made. Letters and notes from friends were read. A most incredible plaque was presented to me.

Now, I’m not fooled easy. Nor do surprises catch me often. But to be honored by this organization, with so many dearly loved friends in attendence is a gift I will never forget. As a said during my blubbering, tearful thank you, I love my work. I love you all. Thank you for giving me this honor. I will spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of it.

To everyone, I leave this quote…

“If life ever moved too fast and left things unsaid, I would still want you to know this with my whole heart: thank you.

Thank you for the love, comfort, laughter and beautiful friendship you gave me so freely. Knowing you has been one of the softest gifts of my life.

No matter what this world does, I will always carry gratitude for you and for the way your friendship made my life better.”

Congratulations, Greg. Thank you for all that you do to preserve clown history. 

Circus Smirkus: Safecracker

Ryan Combs (converse), Sam Brown (short curly hair), John Stokvis (glasses), and Josh Shack (deputy) performing a safecracking gag on the Smirkus 2002 Wild West tour. Even though I prefer his more recent partner, I guess these guys are pretty good as well.... 😜😜

Just in case the embedded video isn't working: https://youtu.be/ijJTsQgiDEA?si=9B8x5_MDycIpBn_O

Michael Lane Trautman: Ping Pong Balls

Michael Lane Trautman is an accomplished mime, an inventive juggler, and physical comedian/clown that has been performing since 1976. He has appeared at such venues as The New York International Festival of Clown Theatre, the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, to name a few.

Michael trained under the tutelage of French mime Jacques Lecoq, and American mime Tony Montanaro. He has been an artist in residence at Mabou Mines Theater Company in NY, a director and teacher at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and a staple of the International Children’s Theatre Festival circuit. In 1999-2000, Michael headlined the Big Apple Circus Stage Show that toured throughout the country.

David Williams: Hoxie Bros.

An article on David Williams during his First of May season on Hoxie Bros. Great American Combined Shows in 1984. "Little Dave" as he later became known was a staple on the Clyde Beatty Alley in the late 80s and early 90s. 

Thank you to John "Eggroll" Kane for lending me the article to share. 

New Exhibits at ICHOF!

The Clown Hall of Fame has been busy! New walls, brand new exhibits, welcoming Bello Nock into the ICHOF, getting ready for the Circus Historical Convention and the 2026 Induction of Jerry Bangs!

This is a summer you don’t want to miss! To attend the induction banquet & ceremony please register at the CHS convention website!

https://circushistory.org/next-convention/

2002 Kinoshita Clown Alley

 

Sean Hartman, Kelly VanCleave, Adam Kuchler, and Peter Bufano on Circus Kinoshita in 2002. 

All were Clown College grads (Sean 94, Kelly 85, Adam 95 and Peter 86) and former Ringling clowns (Sean Red 2002, Kelly Red 1986-1989, Adam Blue 96-99, and Peter Red 87-88). 

Peter also came back in 2006 and the first half of 2007 as a keyboard player on the Blue Unit band. He was my next door neighbor on the train and we had lots of fun conversations. 

Kelly stayed on Kinoshita for many, many years. She started sometime in the 90s and was there into the 2010s.

Ringling: Bike Display

 

Another great photo from Brandon Bolden's collection. This is the Blue Unit Clown Alley for the 130th Edition of Ringling in 2000. 

The second half opened with a bike display with all of the clowns wearing fun costumes to make it look like they were kids dressing up and playing pretend. 

Each clown had a bike that fit in with their character: the cowboy had a unicycle with a saddle that looked like a hobby horse, the scientist had a bicycle with an extendable and retractable magnet on the front, the doctor clown had a.... mini bicycle.....yep! It all checks out! 

Top row left to right: Leo Acton, Marni Sussman Zalban, Todd Zimmerman, Pat Acton

Middle row left to right: Melanie Covello, Cherie Gregg, Cezary Skarzynski, David Gregg, Thom Wheaton, Steve Lough, Gabor Hrisafis, Brandon Bolden, Lance Brown, Josh Zehner, Elizabeth Sekine Lough

Bottom row left to right: Christy McDonald Atkinson, David Solove, David Hennessy 

Ringling: Chinese Bike Parody

 

Photo courtesy of Brandon Bolden

The casts of the Chinese bicycle act and the Chinese bicycle parody (I'm not sure which is which) on the Ringling Blue Unit in 2000. The clowns are Brandon Bolden (top left), Josh Zehner (white sweatband), Lance Brown (top right), Gabor Hrisafis (center), Cherie Gregg (whiteface), Christy McDonald Atkinson (bottom center) and Thom Wheaton (bottom left).

It was a pretty funny idea for a gag. After the act where the Chinese women would form pyramids on a moving bicycle the lights would come up on Josh in a sweatsuit working out on a stationary exercise bike. The other clowns would enter dressed as the Chinese women and try to perform different stunts and formations on top of him and his bike. Lance's costume had a giant inner tube tire inside so he could backflip off the back of the bike and then bounce on his "fat stomach". At the end the bike would become overloaded by all the added weight and an explosion would cause it to come unattached so Josh could ride off with the other clowns in hot pursuit. Thought not as hot as the actual Chinese women. 

This was all followed by ANOTHER comedy bicycle act featuring a bike with huge tractor tires and a troupe of Eastern Europeans dressed as clowns. I believe the theme that tour was Redundancy.....featuring Sara and the Tigers!

R.I.P Angelo Muñoz

Sorry for the delay in updating. My old laptop had a busted screen (thank you very much to my dear son), but now I have a new one again and I will try and keep up regular posting.

                                         

Bill Ballantine Art 1987

 

Potential artwork for the Ringling Clown College 20th Anniversary done by former dean and fantastic artist/writer Bill Ballantine.

Really cool to find these. I've never seen them before. God bless Mark Renfro for being such an archivist. 

Ringling: Moroccan Tumbling Parody

This footage is taken from a television special that was done when the 125th Edition of Ringling played Mexico City in 1996. 

The Red Unit clowns featured in this video are Darren Cooper (purple hair and hat), Max Richardson (red mohawk), Brad Aldous (curly brown hair), Edzui Szumowski or Edge (gray wig), Jonathan Taylor (whiteface), Gina Alayne (pink wig), Steven Hogue (parted red wig), and Troy Wunderle (blue wig). 

Almost all of them are still performing. Darren Cooper is famous on social media as The Gooch, where he has a huge following, Edge is currently touring with Venardos Circus, which he has done for years now, Brad has had a career as an actor, Jonathan and his wife, Anne, are currently performing comedy on Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium (which Brad also performed in playing the part of Doctor Elixir), Gina performs at events all over the Tampa area, and Troy Wunderle still performs and was an integral part of Circus Smirkus for years. I know Max performed on cruise ships for years, but not sure about now, only that he's in Vegas. Steve Hogue has a career in the pharmaceutical industry and a beautiful family with his wife, Sandra, also a former clown.  

Tell me what I forgot or got wrong. The great and all knowing Copeland is middle aged and starting to forget.....

Gardi Hutter and Ueli Bichsel Circus Knie 2000

A segment on the German program Next talking with Gardi Hutter and Ueli Bichsel about their upcoming debut with Circus Knie for the 2000 season.

Trio Juanito Moreno

Thanks to Chase Culp for turning me onto these guys. No, not like that you sickos...

Here's some info I found about these three: 

"Hey, watch out!" became a catchphrase in Switzerland; 
father Juanito Moreno [56] with son Luis [25] as a whiteface clown and Luisito, a former circus musician; 
Juanito and his brother Uge, also a whiteface clown, worked as Hermanos Moreno in the 1940s and 50s, first in Spanish and Portuguese circuses, then from 1946 in Cuba, Mexico, the USA, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, and gained a foothold in Venezuela – Juanito became a restaurateur for six years and a children's TV favorite! 
The trio was rediscovered (facilitated by the juggler and agent Edoardo Raspini!) in March 1968 at the Circus Krone Building in Munich with August Luisito and (at that time) the whiteface clown Kike. 
Juanito Moreno died in 1986.

A list of their engagements:

1968 • March • KRONE Building Munich • German debut, discovered by impresario Edoardo Raspini (juggler with KNIE in 1964) 
1969 • March • KRONE Building Munich • Circus KRONE • Director Frieda Sembach-Krone • Summer season Germany/Austria 
1970 • Circus KRONE • Director Frieda Sembach-Krone • Summer season 
1971 • Circus KNIE • Summer season 
1972 • Circus BOLTINI • Director Tony Boltini • Netherlands 
1973 … 
1974 … 
1975 • Circus SARRASANI • Director Fritz Mey • Summer season • Germany 
1976 • Antwerp Circus Festival • Binnendijk/Edoardo Raspini • February 24 – March 7 • Teller entrance 
1976 • Circus SARRASANI • Director Fritz Mey • Summer Season • Germany 
1977 • March 1 – April 3 at the KRONE Building, Munich • Sembach-Krone Management 
1977 • BENNEWEIS • Schumann Building, Copenhagen • Summer Season 
1978 • CENTER CIRCUS • Brighton, UK • Summer Season 
1978 • December • HANSA Theater, Hamburg (Performance in Tuxedo!) 
1979 • January • HANSA Theater, Hamburg (Performance in Tuxedo!) 
1980 … 
1981 • Circus SARRASANI • Director: Fritz Mey • Summer Season 
1982 • October • Double Circus CORTY & GIOVANNI ALTHOFF in Düsseldorf 
1983 • GRAN CIRCO MUNDIAL • Director: José Maria González Villa • Summer Season in Spain (Operating as LOS HERMANOS MORENO) 
1984/85 • Circo RUSO • Director: Angel Christo • Valencia, Spain • December 22 1984 – January 6, 1985 • (named LOS HERMANOS MORENO)

Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus

 

A flyer from the Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus, which was produced by Leonard Green, Kelly Jr's manager. This date was in Port Huron, MI in either 1972 or 1973, which according to my research are the two years that the show toured.

Anyone out there have any memories of this show?

Big Shoe Revue: Jay Stewart and Mike Smith

Jay Stewart and Mike Smith performing warm up comedy before The Big Shoe Revue at the Texas State Fair in 1997.

A select group of students from the Clown College class of 1997 were taken to Dallas to perform in a thirty minute show comprised of acts from the 1997 graduation. 

It is my understanding that this was an attempt to show Kenneth Feld a way that Clown College could bring in money during the year, but unfortunately the idea went no further and there was no Clown College in 1998, much to the dismay of fourteen year old me!