Peggy Williams 1980

 

Peggy Williams teaching at the Ringling Clown College in 1980. From the photo collection of Mark Renfro.

New Clowning Trio

Pepe Silva, M. Adrian, and Tom Dougherty, who will be debuting their new trio at the Dresdner Weihnachts-Circus in Dresden, Germany this December.

Tom and Pepe have been working together since they both left the Ringling Blue Unit at the end of 2009, and they met Adrian while working with Arlette Gruss in France.

They are currently in Paris rehearsing their new material. Make 'em laugh, gents!

 

Duo Rossi

Two wonderful people, Alexandra and Yann Rossi, photographed for the English circus magazine, King Pole. 

 

Remembering Pat Cashin

Nine years ago Pat Cashin left us way too soon. Not a week goes by that I don't think about him or some ridiculous hilarious thing he said, and I am constantly wishing I could get his take on something, or ask for clarification on some clown story or fact. I miss you, "kunklehead".

His contribution to clown history with this blog is immeasurable, and I have no idea how he kept it so active. I will do my best to be more frequent with my contributions to his legacy. 

Here are some rare 1997 Clown College photos of Pat from the collection of Elliot Witherspoon.

Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper, aka "Oscar", who graduated from the Ringling Clown College in 1978 and then performed in the Clyde Beatty Clown Alley for a couple of seasons.

Not to be confused with the Hollywood actor. He wasn't a clown. Loser....

Gary "Patches" Ray

 

Gary Ray, better known as "Patches" is a graduate of the 1972 class of the Ringling Clown College. He had a long circus career with Shrine circuses along with his partner Steve "Checkers" Baker. 

Prince Paul

Prince Paul Alpert, photographed by Bill Ballantine on the Ringling Blue Unit sometime in the 1970s. 

Denis Lacombe Ice Capades 1989

If I am not mistaken, this would have been after his appearance in Cirque Du Soliel's We Reinvent The Circus, which was the first time I saw him perform this act.

My personal favorite is the other act he performed in that show involving a robotic "American" clown, mouth wash, and pies. Sounds like a recipe for comedy to me!

Dick O'Connor

 

Anyone have any info on Mr. O'Connor, aside from the fact that he looks like 99% of the other clowns of that era?

Amel and Andres Zachai

Mother and son clown duo Amel and seven year old Andres, who performed with the Blue Unit's 1976 Clown Alley. I believe Amel performed at Circus World in Florida before going on the road. 

I am going to be asking for recollections of the two of them from their Alley mates, so stay tuned for an updated post.

Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman drawn by long time Hanna Barbara comics artist Ray Dirgo in 1978.

 

Harry Dann, Bill Ballantine and Clem Hartman

 

Steve Smith and Tim Torkildson

Tim Torkildson and Steve Smith when they were working as Goodwill Ambassadors for the Greatest Show on Earth 

 

A Pictorial History of Old-Time Circus Clowns

A collection of old and rare circus clown photos provided by Frank and Violet Rehak and edited by Chappie Fox.

Some great stuff in here. Unfortunately there is also Jack Harris.... I hope an elephant pooped on him.

A Moving Conversation

 

Christy McDonald Atkinson's walkaround from Clown College 1989. I look at that prop and just imagine trying to make it through some of those narrow arena hallways. That's probably a good reason why it didn't make it on tour, because it is a heck of a visual. 

ICHOF 2025 Inductees

The Board of Directors of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center are supremely happy to announce the 2025 Inductees!

We feel that each clown chosen has contributed, in both their body of work as well as their passion to elevate clowning and physical comedy to heights that reflect excellence.

The one and only George Carl who spent a career honing an act that represents comedy perfection.

Albert “Flo” White, one of the most recognizable and photographed whiteface clowns in American clown history.

Freddie Trenkler, the first ice show comic to be inducted into the ICHOF. His skill on skates and his ability to hold the attention of an arena audience as a solo character allowed many future clowns who perform in huge venues the opportunity to follow in his footsteps.

Pio Nock, part of a historic generational circus family, he took his comedy to new heights as the first daredevil clown performer.

Bello Nock, nephew to Pio, he continues to leave his mark on modern audiences with his unique characterization and his ability to present daredevil thrill comedy to new generations.

Frank “Slivers” Oakley, one of the most important clowns in all of clown history. His work and legacy influenced everyone from Marceline, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton & Red Skelton. His baseball entree was given solo status in the mammoth Barnum & Bailey Circus, the very first clown to be afforded that honor.

The ICHOF is also awarding the legendary Dick Van Dyke a “Lifetime of Laughter” award. His body of work in film, Broadway and of course television is unsurpassed. Today, at the age of 99, Mr. Van Dyke continues to enhance his profession with his humility, kindness and humor.

We all hope you will join us in congratulating the ICHOF Inductees of 2025!

Otis and Onionhead

 

Garry "Otis" Irvingwhite and Robert "Onionhead" Dunn on Universoul Circus. 

Toby Circus Ballantine

 

Toby Circus Ballantine, son of Ringling clown, artist, author, and dean of Clown College, Bill Ballantine, photographed by Marc Hauser in 1981 on what I assume is a Shrine date.

Trey Key

 

Here is Trey Key performing a Barnum's Animal Crackers walk around when he was a student in the Ringling Clown College class of 1990.

Trey performed as a clown on Kelly Miller Circus and has owned Culpepper Merriweather Circus for many years. 

Otto Griebling

 

Otto, photographed at the Boston Garden in 1955 by P. Tharp.