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Whether you find clowns amusing or terrifying, there’s more to this ancient profession than meets the eye. The iconic red nose, for instance, has a rich history tied to Albert of the Fratellini family, who introduced the Auguste clown archetype and debuted the now-famous red nose. Dive into these intriguing facts and fill your mind with surprising details about the world of clowns.
1. CLOWN CARS ARE AS CROWDED AS THEY SEEM.
Contrary to popular belief, the clown car gag isn’t an illusion. Greg DeSanto, executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, confirmed to Car and Driver that there are no hidden tricks or trapdoors involved. The cars are real, with interiors stripped out and windows painted over, leaving only a small peephole for the driver. Clowns squeeze inside, often sitting on milk crates, with a compact car accommodating between 14 and 21 performers.
2. YOU CAN VISIT GRIMALDI'S GRAVE—AND EVEN DANCE ON IT.
Joseph Grimaldi
As one of the pioneers of circus clowning, Joseph Grimaldi revolutionized the art in 1806 with his iconic rogue-meets-fool persona. Modern pantomime clowns, or Joeys, owe their makeup style to him. Every first Sunday in February, clowns gather at London’s Holy Trinity Church to honor his legacy. Visitors can also pay tribute at his grave in north London, where artist Henry Krokatsis created musical tiles. Step on them to hear "Hot Codlins," a melody closely associated with Grimaldi.
3. THE CREEPY CLOWN TREND DATES BACK TO THE 1980s.
While eerie clown sightings are making headlines today, this phenomenon isn’t new. In 1981, Boston witnessed men disguised as clowns intimidating schoolchildren. Similar incidents occurred in Kansas City that same year, with kids reporting being chased by clowns. These unsettling encounters have reappeared in the news over the decades, much to the dismay of the World Clown Association, which has struggled to protect its profession’s reputation from these malicious imposters.
4. CLOWNS MUST ABIDE BY THE EIGHT CLOWN COMMANDMENTS.
Clowning is a serious profession, and Clowns of America International enforces a set of Clown Commandments to maintain professionalism. These include entertaining audiences by poking fun at oneself rather than others, abstaining from smoking or drinking while in costume, and promptly removing makeup and changing into street clothes after performances to avoid any negative associations with the art of clowning.
5. THE CLOWN INDUSTRY IS FACING A SHORTAGE.
As clowning standards rise and interest among millennials declines, the profession has seen a significant drop in popularity. The World Clown Association reports a 28 percent decline in membership since 2004. The challenges of low pay and fierce competition make a lifelong clown career increasingly rare. For instance, Ringling Brothers employed just 26 clowns across its three circuses in 2013.
6. CLOWNING WAS ONCE VIEWED AS A FEMINIST MOVEMENT.
In 1895, The New York Times famously labeled Evetta Mathews as “the only lady clown on earth.” While this was an exaggeration (female clowns like Amelia Butler and Irene Jewell Newton had come before her), Mathews was indeed a rarity in her era. Her career as a clown was celebrated as a symbol of women’s liberation. Despite her circus family’s disapproval, Mathews embraced her role, valuing the reduced risk of injury and the creative freedom to craft her own performances.
7. THE CLOWN MOTEL OFFERS A HAUNTING STAY NEXT TO A CEMETERY.
Wayne Stadler, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
For those seeking a spine-chilling experience, the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada, is a must-visit. This eerie desert retreat is filled with clown dolls and decorations at every turn, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Adding to the thrill, the motel is conveniently located next to a graveyard dating back to the early 1900s.
All images courtesy of iStock unless noted otherwise
