Famous Clowns
Ronald McDonald
Ronald McDonald is the official mascot of McDonald's. He was first introduced in 1963 and has been used ever since to lure children into their restaurants.
Ronald McDonald is used as a corporate symbol for the company, appearing at events such as fundraisers and sporting events. While many people have seen him in commercials and on playgrounds, few realize that Ronald McDonald House Charities was started by his creator!
The Joker
The Joker is the iconic nemesis of Batman, and one of the most famous clowns in history.
He was originally a comedian named Jack Napier who fell into a vat of chemicals that turned his skin white, hair green and face permanently scarred. He's often seen with a wide smiley face on his cheeks (or under his mask), and you'll never know if he's about to laugh or cry.
Bozo the Clown
Bozo the Clown was a children's television show that ran from 1959 to 2001. The original Bozo, Bob Bell, was created by Dan Tyler and portrayed as a bald clown with a red nose, white face paint, large shoes and a floppy hat.
He would play games with children on his show and sometimes be joined by Howdy Doody or Clarabell the Clown.
List of Famous Clowns
History of Clowns
Clowns have been entertaining audiences for centuries. You may think of clowns as silly, goofy characters who do pratfalls and make jokes about their pants being too tight.
But the history of clowns actually goes back several hundred years and has many different styles and variations over time.
Ancient Rome
The history of clowns can be traced back to ancient Rome, where they were called "pantomimi." These performers would perform skits with a few props, often in front of an audience.
They were often slaves or former slaves who worked for free at festivals such as Saturnalia and Lupercalia. Although their performances were supposed to be funny; the audience did not always find it so. In fact, their acts could often be the target of ridicule from those watching them.
History of Clowns in English
The history of clowns in English dates back to the Middle Ages. The most famous medieval jesters were the court entertainers, who were often trained as acrobats, dancers and musicians. They would perform tricks and make jokes in order to provide relief from the everyday tedium of court life.
The word “clown” came into use in the 15th century for this type of character due to their habit of making fun of authority figures like royalty or clergymen. In particular, they were often associated with buffoonery and being silly (or stupid).
Related: Joker Colors
