Clowning Around Trivia Quiz

Answer: Emmett Kelly

Emmett Kelly was born in Kansas in 1898 and became one of the world's most famous clowns. The character of Weary Willie, created by Kelly from a cartoon character he drew, was based on what were known at the time as hobos, now known as migrant workers. With his sad facial expression, big red nose, unkempt beard, and painted white lips that stretched from side to side, Weary Willie represented the tough times faced by so many during the Great Depression.

Answer: Bob Keeshan

For those who remember watching the 1950s American children's TV show "Howdy Doody", you'll undoubtedly remember Clarabell, the clown played by Bob Keeshan. He originated the role although several others took over the role later on. You may also remember Keeshan hosting another children's favorite, "Captain Kangaroo". Clarabell, dressed in a baggy, striped outfit, never spoke at all.

He only communicated by honking a horn for yes or no.

Answer: Willard Scott

Ronald McDonald was the clown mascot of the McDonald's fast food chain. With his red curly hair, red nose, big red mouth, and yellow and red costume, he was instantly identifiable. First introduced in 1963 in several TV advertisements, the family-friendly fast food chain and the welcoming Ronald McDonald clown made McDonald's very popular. Willard Scott not only played the original Ronald McDonald mascot but was well known as an American broadcaster, weather presenter, radio announcer, and disc jockey.

At one time he even played Bozo the Clown.

Answer: Joseph Grimaldi

Grimaldi performed as a clown and pantomimist on stage in England in the early part of the 19th century. He appeared on stage at Drury Lane and Covent Garden theaters. He introduced white-face which is still used by clown impersonators today. Grimaldi's character became so popular that the word "clown" was changed to his nickname "Joey", a term also used today.

Answer: Tim Curry

Adapted from the 1986 Stephen King novel "It", actor Tim Curry played Pennywise in a 1990 TV mini series. Bill Skarsgård played the clown in a 2017 film and 2019 sequel. The author wanted to write a novel to scare children. I think he succeeded spectacularly.

The shape-shifting clown, who lived underground in the sewer system of a small town in Maine, preyed on children. What can be scarier than that?

Answer: Oleg Popov

Known as the "Sunshine Clown", Oleg Popov was a well-known Russian performer who toured nationally. Not only did he create his unique persona as a clown, he was skilled as a juggler, acrobat, and high-wire performer. Instead of using make-up traditionally used by Western clowns, he drew black lines under his eyes to make himself appear sad. Along with his red nose and rosy cheeks, Popov dressed in a black jacket, striped pants, yellow wig and checkered cap.

His inspiration for "Sunshine" was based on a Russian folktale "Ivanushka" or "Ivan the Fool", a story about a naive, simple-minded boy who went on to accomplish great things.

Answer: Vance "Pinto" Colvig

Bozo the Clown was the brainchild of Alan Livingston who created the character in 1946. Livingston worked for Capitol Records in Hollywood, California. He hired Pinto Colvig to be the voice of Bozo on a record he produced and a few years later on American TV.

After Larry Harmon bought the creative rights to the character, Bozo began appearing on local TV shows. Paul Montgomery, Syd Saylor, and national TV weatherman, Willard Scott, were some of the actors who appeared as Bozo on TV.

Answer: Dan Castellaneta

Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky, also known as Krusty the Clown, has been a longtime fixture on the animated TV series "The Simpsons". He even resembles Homer Simpson, father of the Simpson clan. Krusty the Clown has aqua-green colored hair styled into three tufts, two on the sides of his head and one on top.

He also dons white-face when he impersonates Krusty. Dan Castellaneta voices Krusty on the series. Castellaneta is known as a comedian, writer, and actor. He also voices the character of Homer Simpson.

Answer: John Carroll Lynch

The TV show "American Horror Story" had a particularly creepy episode about a clown who, after leaving Florida, joined a traveling carnival. With a mental disability as a result of being dropped on his head as a child, two cruel co-workers teased him until he returned to Florida.

He tried selling spinning objects, or whirligigs, at a local shop but failed to make ends meet. His attempt at committing suicide by shooting himself in the head also failed and he was left permanently disfigured. This only added to the grotesque and angry creature he had become, a serial killer.

He donned a scary clown mask to cover his disfigurement but only succeeded in frightening the children whom he only wanted to befriend.

Answer: James Stewart

Accomplished actor, James Stewart, played the role of "Buttons", a clown featured in the 1952 film "The Greatest Show on Earth". The actual Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus and its performers were featured in the film. Buttons used his ever-present clown make-up and his role as a clown in the circus to hide the fact that he was really a physician who killed his wife years earlier, although he claimed it was a mercy killing.

At the end of the film he finally admits the truth.