Best TV Clown

Mexican clown and singer Ricardo González (1946–2021), one of Latin America's most beloved children's television entertainers and recording artists.

Carequinha was a prominent Brazilian clown figure recognized for his innovative work as a television star during the mid-20th century. He began his career with TV Tupi in the 1950s, pioneering clown performance on national television. His unique style and comedic timing made him a beloved icon withi...

Bob Keeshan created Captain Kangaroo, a beloved children’s television program that ran from 1955 to 1984. He is recognized for his long-standing role as Captain Kangaroo and previously as Clarabell the Clown on *Howdy Doody*. His work provided gentle entertainment and educational content for generat...

Bob Bell was an American television performer who portrayed Bozo the Clown on WGN-TV in Chicago from 1960 until 1984. Because WGN was carried nationally as a superstation, his specific portrayal became the most widely recognized version of the Bozo character across the United States. Bell’s Bozo wor...

Satirical clown character performed by Mexican actor Víctor Trujillo, known as el payaso tenebroso, notable for blending sharp political commentary with circus clowning.

Arrelia, born Adelar Tavares Correa in 1924, was a prominent Brazilian clown and circus performer. He achieved widespread national fame through his television appearances, most notably on the Brazilian children's program "Circo do Arrelia," which aired during the 1960s and 1970s. His signature look...

Bob Keeshan was an American television actor who originated the role of Clarabell the Clown on NBC's "The Howdy Doody Show" in 1947. As Clarabell, he communicated exclusively through honking horns and squeezing a bottle of seltzer water, becoming a memorable figure in early children's broadcasting....

Tiririca, born Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva, is a Brazilian clown, comedian, actor, and politician. He gained national fame in Brazil through his comedic television shows and circus performances before successfully running for federal office. In 2010, he was elected as a federal deputy represen...

Soupy Sales, born Milton Supman, was an American comedian, actor, and television host. He was best known for his children's lunchtime television programs, particularly Lunch with Soupy Sales, which aired during the 1950s and 1960s. His signature comedic element was the pie-in-the-face gag, eventuall...

Larry Harmon was an American entertainer who purchased the licensing rights to the character Bozo the Clown in the 1950s. Although he did not create Bozo, Harmon heavily popularized the character by training hundreds of actors and franchising the role to local television stations across the United S...

Lew Anderson was an American actor, musician, and comedian who portrayed Clarabell the Clown on the children's television program The Howdy Doody Show from 1954 until its finale in 1960. He was the third and final performer to play the character, communicating primarily through honks on a horn and p...

Brazilian clown Lauro Borges, known as Bolinha, was a popular circus comedian who frequently performed alongside Carequinha in one of Brazil's most celebrated clown partnerships.

Larry Harmon was an American entertainer and businessman closely associated with Bozo the Clown. After acquiring rights connected to the character in the 1950s, he developed a franchising and syndication system through which locally produced television programs used the Bozo identity, costume, and f...

Brazilian clown Márcio Ribeiro, one half of the children's duo Patati Patatá, known for colorful costuming and musical comedy aimed at young Brazilian audiences.

Brazilian clown Beto Carminatti, one half of the children's duo Patati Patatá, achieved wide popularity in Brazil through television appearances and live stage performances.

Uncle Floyd is the comedic persona of Floyd Vivino, an American entertainer who created and hosted The Uncle Floyd Show. The program began in 1974 in New Jersey as a low-budget variety show featuring slapstick comedy, puppet characters, and live piano playing. Although it was broadcast on local UHF...

Willard Scott was an American television personality and weather presenter best known for his long tenure as the weatherman on NBC's Today show, a role he held from 1980 until his semi-retirement in 1996. In 1963, Scott originated the character Ronald McDonald, the mascot for McDonald's, appearing i...

Mexican clown Alberto Aragón Peña, known as Piolín, a popular circus and television performer who entertained audiences in Mexico during the mid-to-late 20th century.

Lew Anderson was an American actor, musician, and bandleader best known for portraying Clarabell the Clown on NBC's The Howdy Doody Show during the 1950s.

Frank Avruch was an American television personality who portrayed Bozo the Clown on Boston's WBZ-TV starting in 1959, becoming the first nationally syndicated Bozo.

Bobby Nicholson was an American performer who played Clarabell the Clown on Howdy Doody during the early 1950s, serving between the tenures of Bob Keeshan and Lew Anderson.

Bobby Nicholson was an American television actor and clown known for his appearances on the popular mid-20th-century children's program The Howdy Doody Show.