Marcel Marceau—Le Mime Marceau—March 22, 1923 – September 22, 2007
Marcel Marceau is known the world over as the famous mime, Bip. He is widely recognized as having been influential in restoring the art of pantomime in the 20th century. Many people know him through his work on television and film, or as the head of a famous European mime school.
But less people know of him as a French freedom fighter during World War II, a man fluent in three languages, a man whose father was murdered by the Nazis in the Auschwitz death camp, a man who served as liaison to Charles De Gaulle. Continue reading →
Clown Tutorial – creating your clown costume
Something interesting happened to me on the way to writing this article. I was perusing a very nice site named Art.com for something totally unrelated, and happened across this poster:
Now, the first thing that struck me about this poster was the “clownishness” of the two ladies pictured. Since I knew I was about to write this article on Clown costuming, I took this opportunity to sit back and think about what makes a clown’s costume ‘clownish. Continue reading →
choosing your unique clown character
Choosing a clown character is the foundational step in being (or becoming) a clown. Allow me to correct myself: choosing your clown character is the foundational step. You don’t want to copy some other clown, unless you intend to be the clown equivalent of an Elvis impersonator. Continue reading →
Biography of Buster Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966)
(courtesy of wikipedia.com’s biography of Buster Keaton)
Joseph Frank Keaton Jr. (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966), always known as Buster Keaton, was a popular and influential American silent-film comic actor and filmmaker. His trademark was physical comedy with a stoic, deadpan expression on his face, earning him the nickname “The Great Stone Face”. His work as a performer and director is widely regarded to be some of the most innovative and important work in the history of cinema. Continue reading →
Robert James “Bob” Keeshan (June 27, 1927 – - January 23, 2004)
Better known to millions of viewers as the original Captain Kangaroo, Long Island native Bob Keeshan first came to national prominence as Clarabell the Clown on the Howdy Doody TV show (1947 – 1952). Bob was born in Long Island, but moved to Forest Hills, NY shortly after his birth. He had a happy childhood, living with his immigrant father, mother, younger sister and two older brothers. His mother died when Bob was only 15, and this deeply impacted him—without the influence of a school guidance counselor, Bob would have stayed mired in his grief. Instead, in his 18th year, he began working for NBC in their page program. A page was a low-level gopher, giving an individual an “in” at NBC, and giving them time to find where, if anywhere, they belonged at NBC. Before Bob could discover this for himself, World War II interrupted. Shortly before his 18th birthday, Bob joined the Marines, and underwent basic training. After the war ended, Bob returned to NBC to finish his time as a page, working for Bob Smith during the day, and attending college at night—he was planning to become a lawyer. Continue reading →
How do I start clowning? Silence is Golden – consider starting your clown as being mute
Some wonderful advice that Randy Christiansen makes in his pamphlet Clowning for Christ is: for the first year of performing, don’t let your clown character speak. At first, this seems counter-intuitive. Continue reading →
Slowly I Turned, a classic vaudeville routine as performed by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Also known as “Poko Moko” and “Niagra Falls”
Bud, Lou and derelict in cell:
Derelict: I haven’t always been a derelect … (looks at Lou) … like you.
Lou Costello: Don’t call me those kind of bad names!
Derelict: Would you like to hear my story?
Lou Costello: No
Derelict: Very well, then I’ll tell it to you Continue reading →
Numerous times on this site, I’ve pointed out that a clown’s character is what injects both life and humor into his performance. In addition, it’s the character of the clown that customizes a skit as well. On the original skits posted here, you will find over and again the recommendation to change or adapt the skits as needed for your clown character. Allow me to give you a concrete example. Continue reading →
![clown pictures - Michael Polakov - "Coco" - 1991 Clown Hall of Fame](http://famousclowns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MichaelPolakov-chof911.jpg "clown pictures - Michael Polakov - "Coco" - 1991 Clown Hall of Fame")
MICHAEL “Coco” POLAKOVS (1923 – 2009)
Inducted into the 1991 Clown Hall of Fame
Coco is a third generation Russian circus clown, who achieved his fame in England where the family came while he was a youth. He was associated with the Bertram Mills and Billy Smart Circuses in England, which later included tours of Europe. Continue reading →
Character of the Auguste clown
The Auguste clown is in a class by himself. The least intelligent (although that’s not saying much : ) of the clowns, he is also perhaps the most beloved. With the most exaggerated make-up and movements, this is the zaniest of the clowns. Famous Auguste clowns include Cooky, Coco, Albert Fratellini, Grock, Lou Jacobs, and Leon “Buttons” McBryde. Continue reading →