Clown Alley Women's History Month: Karen DeSanto

Greg and Karen DeSanto performing their soap entrée on the Big Apple Circus' 2005/2006 tour.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Giulia Azzario

The Josè Michel Clowns, with white clown, Giulia Azzario, performing in Circus Krone in 2009.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Antoschka

Antoschka performing a rola bola act in the Planet of Smiles show.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Annie Fratellini

Annie Fratellini and her husband, Pierre Etaix performing on French television in 1975.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Christina Gelsone

Christina Gelsone and her husband/partner, Seth Bloom, are better known as the Acrobuffos. Their international touring theater show, Air Play, just performed its 400th performance to a sold out audience in Adelaide, Australia. 

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Rone & Gigi

Rone & Gigi perform Part 1 of the Big Ears Show at Clown Camp in 2008.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Ruthie Chaddock

Soon to be ICHOF inductee, Ruthie Chaddock and Steve Smith perform Dr. Quack, Chiropractor for a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about the Ringling Clown College in 1990.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Marni Zalban

Marni Zalban, Gregory Parks, and Leo Acton rehearse a musical gag in Winter Quarters for the Ringling Blue Unit in 2001.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Jessi Hoffchildt

 

Please join us in celebrating Jessi Hoffschildt, who just completed a ten year run with Kinoshita Circus in Japan!

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Gardi Hutter

A highlight reel from Gardi Hutter's show, "The Tailor". 

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Female Fools Part 2

Joe Dieffenbacher highlights more women clowns in the second part of his video series: Ariel Speedwagon, Sophia Knox-Miller, Devin Shacket, Windy Wynazz, and Leah Orleans.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Karen Hinrichs Lukes

Karen Hinrichs Lukes, Sean Hartman, Karen Fox, Brandon Magnuson, John Rieffel, Kenny Mikey, and Beth Cooper performing a rainy picnic gag during the 1994 Ringling Clown College graduation. 

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Lisa Chapman

Lisa Chapman and Tyler Bechtel performing a brain bank gag during the 1993 Ringling Clown College graduation. 

Note: If the video is silent at the beginning, it is due to copyrighted audio. Just hum Darth Vader's theme from the Star Wars films to yourself and enjoy!

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Mooky Cornish

A promo for Glories of Gloria, Mooky Cornish's solo show. 

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Iman Lizarazu

A demo reel for Iman Lizarazu's solo show filmed in 2018.

Clown Alley Women's History Month: Female Fools Part I

Joe Dieffenbacher highlights three women clowns in the first part of his video series. This segment features Kate Brehm, Tobi Allison Daniel, and Devin Shacket. 

Clown Alley Black History Month: Jamarr Woodruff

Jamarr Woodruff, Brandon Bolden, Neal Skoy, James McGrath, Dan Berkley, and Gabor Nemes teach about the importance of hydration during the Ringling Blue Unit preshow in 2006.

Note: Again, sorry for the bad audio, but for some reason it is silent for the first half of the gag.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Willie Yeomans

Willie Yeomans demonstrating his proficiency with a fire baton during the 1982 Ringling Clown College graduation.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Stephanie Knox

Stephanie Knox and Hiromitsu Harada perform a head crank box walkaround during the 1988 graduation of the Ringling Clown College.

Note: I had to remove the music from the end of the video due to a copyright claim. Just hum "Twist and Shout" to yourself when the video goes silent.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Sean Davis

Sean Davis, Darren Burrell, Stephen Simon, and Molly Pelley performing a Rapunzel gag during the 1995 graduation of the Ringling Clown College. 

Clown Alley Black History Month: Marlon Russ

Marlon Russ, Rudy Wollrabe, and Brandon Foster perform a football themed slide table routine during Winter Quarters for the Ringling Red Unit in 2010.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Brian Wright

Brian Wright, Ben Macon, and Linsey Merryfield Britt performing a wrestling gag on the Ringling Red Unit in 2015.

Clown Alley Black History Month: James Holyfield

James Holyfield, Dan Rooney, and Laura Presley performing the Reducing Sauna gag during the 1991 graduation of the Ringling Clown College.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Gregory Parks

Gregory Parks and Josh Shack performing Whack-a-Clown on the Ringling Blue Unit in 2004.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Lea Abierra

Lea Abierra and Aziz Gual perform an opera gag at the Ringling Clown College in 1997.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Lem Fillyaw

Lem Fillyaw, Brad Weston, and Alex Weinreb perform an ATM gag at Ringling Clown College in 1993.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Darren Wilson

Darren Wilson and Matt Mullins perform a tea time gag in the 1993 Ringling Clown College graduation.

Clown Alley Black History Month: Danise Payne

Danise Payne and Tina Kitt performing in the 1978 Clown College graduation.

Please check out Danise's fantastic book, Elbows In My Ears, about her life and career as a circus clown:

https://www.amazon.com/Elbows-My-Ears-Little-Wardrobe-ebook/dp/B0B41VFTW9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14VHJEFTZE828&keywords=elbows+in+my+ears&qid=1676079743&sprefix=elbows+in+my+%2Caps%2C257&sr=8-1

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.

Congratulations, Alan "Tweedy" Digweed!

 From the Independent: 

Circus clown ‘surprised’ at royal honour

Alan Digweed, known better as Tweedy, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

A clown who has performed for decades has told of his surprise at being recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Alan Digweed, 48, known as Tweedy the clown, has worked in the circus and shows across the world, and he has now been awarded the British Empire Medal.

The entertainer, who is part of Gloucestershire-based Giffords Circus, said he almost missed the news of his royal award.

He told the PA news agency: “The honour was a complete surprise. I nearly missed out because for some reason I didn’t get the email, and then they got in touch by my agent. I was too late in the end to respond to it, but they let me off for being late, typical clown fashion I guess.

Tweedy, who was born in Aberdeen, had wanted to be a clown from an early age and was inspired by slapstick cartoons and comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

He added: “I went to Butlin’s in Ayr, Scotland, but I didn’t know how to become a clown at the time, there was no Google back then, so I taught myself how to juggle and unicycling and did shows there, and then I joined the circus the year after and learnt on the road, with some other clowns.

“Being with the circus is very different – it’s a great kind of lifestyle. It’s a travelling community, which is what I love about it, and you all kind of work together and pitch in together.

“It’s an exciting life, but a hard life as well, you would get stuck in mud.

“There’s something pure about it that I love. There’s something raw and real that I quite like about it.

“I did a tour of America with the circus which was great and seeing all that. I lived on the circus train so that was a lot of fun. Sadly the circus train is not a thing any more – it was a unique experience.”

Tweedy is currently starring in the Dick Whittington And His Cat Tweedy panto at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.

His wife Sharon performed on the trapeze in the circus, and the couple have a daughter.

He continued: “There’s been lots of interesting experiences, clowning in Saudi Arabia was interesting, there was a lot of things I couldn’t do. I had a huge list, but at the same time, they were a very easy audience as there was a lack of entertainment.”

In his spare time, Tweedy enjoys putting on charity shows and in future is planning to continue working in the circus and pantomimes.

Ringling: Gabor Hrisafis

 

Talented Hungarian clown, Gabor Hrisafis, performing during the Ringling Blue Unit spec "Upside Down World" in 2004.

R.I.P Jim "Enof" Killebrew

Here is Jim Killebrew, or as clowns knew him, Enof, as the rotund aerialist along with Frank Theriault on the Ringling Red Unit in 1987.

International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center “Thanks For Giving” Fundraiser

P.T. Barnum said, “The Noblest Art is of making others happy”.

The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Centers mission is to preserve, interpret, and share with all generations the art of clowning in all forms of performance & media. 

We are honored to celebrate the careers of those who have dedicated their lives to “making others happy”. 

Rebuilding our audience and guest attendance since the COVID shutdown has been a challenge but we are very optimistic as we work diligently towards the future. 

Our archives contain the largest collection of clown artifacts in the world, and continues to grow daily. 

We respectfully ask for your help as we move forward into 2023. The generosity of our friends here on social media as well of those who we can host in person humbles us. 

As master clown Lou Jacobs said during his Induction, “by honoring me, you are also honoring all those who came before.”

The ICHOF Board of Directors thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

DONATE HERE

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Clown Alley T-Shirt

 

A t-shirt showing the members of the 1990 Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Clown Alley.

Clockwise from top: James Houser, Jeff Day, Mugwump....(beats the hell outta me!), Dave Williams, Ricky Ardelli, Doug Keady, Greg Long, and Robert Temple. 

Circus Vargas Clown Band

 

Chris Green and George Clyatt performing in the Circus Vargas Clown Band sometime in the mid 1980s. 

Dennis Hall

 

Dennis "Dash" Hall. Graduate of the Clown College Class of 1972, and briefly on tour with the Ringling Blue Unit in 1973.

Clowns Without Socks: Photography Entreé

Billy Ward and Frosty Little

 

Billy Ward and Frosty Little on the Ringling Red Unit in the early 1970s. One of the rare photos of Frosty in a different costume than the one he became known for.

Lou Jacobs: 20th Anniversary of Clown College

 

Lou Jacobs posing behind his likeness, which was part of the set for the 20th Anniversary of Clown College in 1987. The set was designed by CC 1971 graduate, Mitch Greenburg.

Alan Ware

 

Photo by Paul Gutheil

Alan Ware, better known to audiences of the Greatest Show on Earth as Grandpa, graduated from Clown College in 1996. He toured with the Blue Unit from 1997-1998, and when he returned to the Ringling Red Unit from 2001-2007, his Grandpa character had fully emerged.

Roncalli: Busy Bee

Bernard Paul, Angelo Munoz and Francesco Carol performing the classic entrée Busy Bee on Circus Roncalli in 1991.

Arturo Figueroa: Rola-Bola

Arturo Figueroa performing during the Come In of the Ringling Red Unit's 119th Edition in 1989.

Arturo performed with all three Units of the Greatest Show on Earth, and is currently the ringmaster of Flip Circus, a new show from Circo Hermanos Vazquez.

Elmo Gibb: Advance Clown

Elmo Gibb giving a morning TV interview to promote Clyde Betty's run in Ladsen, SC in, I believe, 1990.

Anatoli Akerman

From Anatoli's website:

Anatoli Akerman is a clown, physical actor, and a true and passionate artistic soul. He is one of the most intuitive comic performance artists in his field.

Among his career highlights, he was a member of the creation team and performed as a clown in Cirque du Soleil’s “KA” in Las Vegas and later in Cirque’s “ZED” in Tokyo, Japan. He has toured with the world-renowned Circus Roncalli and was cast as a clown in Walt Disney’s feature film “Dumbo”, directed by Tim Burton.

He has thrilled thousands on stages worldwide, including Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand Las Vegas and Tokyo Disney Resort, Wintergarten Varieté in Berlin, Friedrichsbau Varieté in Stuttgart, Cirque Bouffon tour of Germany, Pomp Duck Circumstance Dinner Show in Berlin, Circus Roncalli tour of Germany & Austria, and many more…

Danise Payne’s Memoir Available Now!

Danise Payne’s memoir, Elbows In My Ears: My Life With Little People, Tigers, and Wardrobe Trunks, was released yesterday, just in time for International Clown Week! I picked up my copy last night and can’t wait to dive in!

                                  PURCHASE HERE

Like many other African American women, Danise Payne graduated from a university and headed out into the world. But she finds herself spellbound on a different path and discovers her life's song includes elephants. 

Enter the circus. 

Elbows in My Ears uncovers a never-before-told tale of a black woman with a career among little people, tigers, and wardrobe trunks. Travel with Danise on a compelling journey inside the massive Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. View an all-black production called UniverSoul Big Top Circus. And witness her life as the first African American woman clown in a circus in Europe-a culture that is uncomfortable with women clowns. 

This intimate memoir reveals the author's encounters with prejudice, exclusion, and her fight for acceptance. It delivers adventures of hilarity and perseverance. What a testimonial to triumph over naysayers! Enjoy this behind-the-scenes peek at a traditional circus that will capture your imagination.

If you love stories that inspire you to live the desire of your heart regardless of obstacles, this must-read account invites you to join the pomp that caught national attention. 

About the Author

DANISE PAYNE holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and is a circus clown with twenty-five years' experience. She graduated from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1978 and toured with the Red and Blue Units of The Greatest Show on Earth. She has performed with five circuses and became the first African American woman clown in a circus in Europe. Ms. Payne was featured in Ebony magazine, on Entertainment Tonight, and NBC's Today show. She is a member of The Circus Fans Association of America, the Circus Historical Society, and the Screen Actors Guild. She and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada. Discover more: www.danisepayne.com

Happy Birthday Scott O'Donnell!

All of us here at Clown Alley would like to wish Scott O'Donnell a very happy birthday! Scott has performed on circuses in Canada and the US, performed on AND ran Vidbel's Olde Time Circus, was Boss Clown and later a talent scout for Ringling, worked in management for Big Apple Circus, and is currently the Director of Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI.

On top of all of that, he is an amazing friend and fantastic clown!

Here he is performing the classic boxing gag on Vidbel with Mike Snider, John "Eggroll" Kane, and ringmaster Billy Martin.

Mike Keever: Mule Gag

Cowboy Mike Keever performing his mule gag on the Ringling Red Unit in 1982.

Milo and Roger

From Magicpedia:

Milo & Roger was the comedy and magic act of Arthur "Milo" Brandon (1916-1998) and Roger Coker (1930-1997). They traveled the world from the mid 1950s until well into the 1990s. 

They appeared on television many times around the world including "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and "The Hollywood Palace".^[1][2][3]

After retiring, Milo Brandon gave Ted Lesley all of their equipment and the rights to perform the act.^[4] Then a father and son team from Germany, Adi and Phillip Becker, purchased the equipment and rights with a goal to resurrect the act.^[5][6]

Remembering Pat Cashin

Pat Cashin, the founder and namesake of this blog, passed away six years ago today. He was one of the funniest people I've ever met, and his love for his family and the art of clowning was immeasurable.

Please feel free to leave any memories of Pat in the comments below.

 

Cirkus Olympia: Toto and René

Toto Johnson and René Coker performing their laundry gag on Cirkus Olympia in Sweden during the 1990 season.

Toto and René performed a version of this gag as a Come In track gag on the Ringling Red Unit in 1989 before taking it to Sweden and making it an entrée. 

The next year John Winslow, their Clown College classmate and Red Unit Alley-mate, joined them for the Olympia 1991 season. 

Mary Kelly Rayel

 

Please join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to Clown College 1990 grad and trapeze superstar, Mary Kelly Rayel!

Cole Bros Clown Alley 1999

 

Bacca-Choo is my favorite clown.....

Circo Hermanos Vazquez Clowns 2015

The clowns of the two Circo Hermanos Vazquez units at the 2015 end of the year party. 

From the East Unit: Mr. Bells, Tin Tin, and Pancho the Martian

From the West Unit: Carmelo and Steve & Ryan

Clown College: Camel Gag

Mark Branner and Greg May (the camel) performing a gag during the graduation performance of the Ringling Clown College class of 1990.

Mark and Greg both received contracts to tour with the Red and Blue Units respectively. Both completed a year on tour and Greg later returned to the road on the Red Unit for 1994 and part of the 1995 season.

Maude “Flip” Bayless

 

Today we celebrate Maude “Flip” Bayless on what would have been her 76th birthday.

Maudie attended the Ringling Clown College in 1970, and she and Peggy Williams were the first female clowns to be hired on the show during the Feld era: Peggy on the Red Unit, and Maudie on the Blue Unit.

Maude spent five seasons on the Blue Unit, and she was also Boss Clown on Carson & Barnes Circus for a number of years.

EZ & Kozy

 

Eric and Kolinda Zander-Hussy have performed together on the Kelly Miller Circus during its final years, the International Clown Festival in India, Circus Osorio, the Three Ring Super Circus, and they are currently on tour of the United States with Loomis Bros. Circus.

Tina "Skeeter" Bausch

Tina Bausch graduated from the Ringling Bros. Clown College in 1985 and has been on the road working as a circus clown since then.

She has performed with the Toby Tyler Circus, the Kelly Miller Circus, and has been the advance clown for Culpepper Merriweather Circus for a large portion of her career. 

Just a few years ago she was awarded the Lifetime of Laughter award from the International Clown Hall of Fame in Baraboo, WI.