Clowning Around with Red Skelton

Red Skelton wanted to be a clown and he became one of the best...

"I just want to be known as a clown, because to me that's the height of my profession. It means you can do everything—sing, dance and above all, make people laugh." –Red Skelton

Red Skelton got his wish. The legendary comedian, who was born 100 years ago, delighted audiences with his clowning, molding himself into character after character, and creating lots of laughs along the way. So great was his skill at inhabiting a role – and making it funny – that he earned high praise from one of the previous generation's top comics, Groucho Marx:

"With one prop, a soft battered hat, he successfully converted himself into an idiot boy, a peevish old lady, a teetering-tottering drunk, an overstuffed clubwoman, a tramp, and any other character that seemed to suit his fancy. No grotesque make-up, no funny clothes, just Red."

Red Skelton wanted to be a clown and he became one of the best. Presenting just a few of the many funny faces of Red Skelton:

The Mean Widdle Kid

Clem Kadiddlehopper

Freddie the Freeloader – with Eva Gabor

George Appleby – with Robert Wagner

Cauliflower McPugg

Deadeye – with John Wayne

Written by Linnea Crowther