Top 10 Greatest Clowns
Photo credit: Fox Broadcasting
With Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Over The Top in town, The Monitor is dedicating the next five days to clowns, elephants, high-wire acrobats and cotton candy. Welcome to Circus Week.
Everybody loves a clown. Well, except for all of those people who are terrified of them. Red noses and big shoes don't send us running for cover, but even the clown-fearing have to admit that a good clown is a great thing.
Witness our Top 10 Greatest Clowns list:
- 10. "Shakes the Clown"
Hey, Martin Scorsese liked it!
- 9. Ernest Borgnine
For more than 15 years, the Oscar winning actor participated in Milwaukee's Great Circus Parade — in full clown regalia.
- 8. Clarabell
Howdy Doody's silent friend (originally played by Captain Kangaroo's Bob Keeshan) spoke only once, to say goodbye.
- 7. Krusty the Clown
His jokes are terrible, but his hair is fantastic.
- 6. Homey the Clown
Clowning didn't come naturally to Homey — it came as part of his parole. He isn't cheerful or good with children, but he certainly is funny.
- 5. Emmett Kelly Jr.
He isn't the originator of the sad clown, and he isn't quite as iconic as his dad, but you can't discount his contributions to clown art.
- 4. Emmett Kelly Sr.
This circus clown delivered a mixed bag — his slapstick act got laughs, but the hobo origins of his sad-clown look was no joke. He was also a hero, who valiantly tried to stop the deadly Hartford Circus Fire.
- 3. Patch Adams
Is laughter the best medicine? Hey, it certainly can't hurt to try.
- 2. Bozo
The name is synonymous with clowns — and no one seems to be able to settle on where exactly it came from. What a fascinating mystery.
- 1. Ronald McDonald
Fine, say he's scary and/or a dangerous lure leading kids to a life of high-fat meals. But how many charitible foundations to help sick kids have your name on them?
MORE:
Meet The Circus Fans
Face Your Fears, Clownphobes!
Walk Like An Elephant
TheGarden.com Circus Headquarters
Man, you didn't miss a single clown! I love me some Shakes, but Krusty is by far my favorite. Great work!
Posted by: dollo | March 24, 2008 at 08:04 PM
awhhhhhhhhh KRUSTY!!!! ;] ;] yeah!! I totally [agree] Dollo! - not a single clown was missed! ;]
Posted by: enrique | March 26, 2008 at 10:20 AM