tramp
Different Types of Clowns
There are three basic types of clowns:
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| The Whiteface clown is the oldest and most well-known of the clowns | The Auguste clown is the least intelligent, and zaniest of the clowns | The character clown is most commonly represented by the Sad Tramp or Happy Hobo |
Special thanks to Jim Howle, for the graphics of the clowns found on these pages.
Mark Anthony photo gallery
Mark Anthony photo gallery – famous tramp circus clown
Mark Anthony was a great tramp clown of the 20th century, highly skilled in creating foam props as well. (more…)
Otto Griebling photo gallery
Photo gallery of Otto Griebling, famous American circus tramp clown
Many of the images are courtesy of the International Clown Hall of Fame (more…)
Emmett Kelly frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the famous tramp clown, Emmett Kelly Sr., who performed with the Ringling Brothers, the Brooklyn Dodgers, on Broadway, in the movies, and elsewhere. (more…)
Otto Griebling – circus tramp clown
Otto Griebling (April 28, 1896 – April 19, 1972)
Inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame 1989
Otto Griebling, who became a fixture of the American circus as a tramp clown performing for the most famous circuses of the 20th Century, began his career not as a clown, but as a bareback rider. And this American icon was born in Germany. (more…)
How do I start clowning? clown makeup, part 1
Clown Tutorial – creating your clown face – clown makeup introduction
There are many things to be said about clown makeup – however, there is one thing that must come first. Ignore what you’ve heard — your clown face is not a mask! It’s entirely the opposite — rather than hide your features, it should enable you to show off your features. Make-up comes from the theater, where facial expressions need to be seen even from the back row. That’s why the oldest style of clown is the whiteface clown. Black on white simply shows up best from a distance (there’s probably a joke in here somewhere about a newspaper, but we’ll let that pass for now). (more…)
Clown Costume part 2 – part of the clowning tutorial
Let’s talk about some of the specifics of your clown costume. Keep in mind a few basic guidelines:
- Colorful – you want to be seen from a distance
- Large patterns – you need to be seen from a distance; as well, this visually establishes your ‘clownishness’
- Contrast, not conflict – you want to have physical contrast built into your outfit, but you don’t want the individual items to clash
So, where do I find this wonderful costume? (more…)
Emmett Kelly Sr. biography – world famous tramp clown
Emmett Kelly, Sr. (December 9, 1898 – March 28, 1979) – Weary Willy
Emmett Kelly Sr., the most well-known of the tramp clowns of the circus. His character, Weary Willy, was the perpetual underdog, who never gave up – and, because of it, occasionally won. He was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 1989. (more…)
