CLOWNS
Welcome to the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CLOWNS!
Here you’ll learn all about clowns, one of the most beloved characters in the circus world! Discover their history with us!
What is a Clown ?
A clown is a comical character who typically uses exaggerated makeup, colorful wigs, flashy clothing, and performs theatrical acts to make people, especially children, laugh. Traditionally, they are seen in circuses, children’s parties, and street performances. Although, the clown character has evolved throughout history, today there are clowns who wear less makeup, clowns who combine making people laugh with other resources such as singing, dancing, acrobatics, or juggling. We also find clowns who talk more and are not so silent; some even perform monologues or magic tricks!
What kind of clowns are there?
Classic Clowns
These types of clowns are most commonly seen performing in circuses.
Style: Elegant, serious, sometimes authoritarian.
Makeup: Completely white face with fine red and black details (arched eyebrows, defined lips).
Role: The leader, the one who brings order. Often the one who initiates comical conflict with the others.
Example: A poetic figure, like Pierrot.
Style: Chaotic, clumsy, silly, but charming.
Makeup: Colorful, with a big red nose, crazy wigs.
Role: The one who causes trouble, does silly things, trips, and makes fun of the target.
Example: This is the classic «silly» clown who makes people laugh with falls, mistakes, and jokes.
Modern Clowns
These types of clowns are born from the search for the unknown and the evolution of classic clown characters.
They can be seen in all types of shows!
Style: Melancholic, nostalgic, reflective.
Makeup: Dirty face, painted tears, old or torn clothes.
Example: Emulates vagrants or homeless people in a poetic way.
Famous example: Charlie Chaplin (although he didn’t wear clown makeup, he has that essence).
2. Hospital Clown (Therapeutic Clown)
Style: Gentle, compassionate humor, adapted to sick people.
Function: To cheer up patients (children or adults) in hospitals, using clown techniques, improvisation, and empathy.
Example: Patch Adams
Uses clowning as a stage tool, often with social criticism or adult humor.
Popular style in movies and Halloween.
Famous examples: Pennywise from It, the Joker.
Close-up style, usually with little makeup and a lot of talk. Combines failed magic tricks to generate laughter and short monologues that form the central theme of a show.
Famous examples: The Great Dimitri at the Raluy Legacy Circus.
6. Evening Clown
Usually fresh and youthful in style. Combines humor with other skills such as singing, juggling, or acrobatics. They often improvise and break the «fourth wall,» speaking directly to the audience.
The most famous Clowns
The most famous clowns in the world are:
CLASSIC CIRCUS CLOWNS
Emmett Kelly (USA)
Pietro Vicentini (Argentina)
Fumagalli (Italy)
Houch-Ma-Houch (Ukraine)
Slava Polunin (Russian)
Tortell Pultrona (Spain)
Joan Montanyes-Monti (Spain)
Suso Silva (Spain)
David Larible (Italy)
Pastelito (Chile)
Bozo (Mexico)
Price of Clowns (Venezuela)
Cesar Diaz (Portugal)
El Gran Dimitri (Spain)
Emilio Aragón (Spain)
Bello Knock (USA)
TV clowns
Tv clowns (spain)
Krusty the Clown (character from The Simpsons)
Cepillín (Mexico)
Pennywise – IT (Stephen King / It)
The Joker (Joker)
Piñón Fijo (Argentina)
Charles Chaplin (English)
Mister Bean (English)
The story of clowns
Origins and history of the evolution of clowns
1. Antiquity – The First Jesters
In civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, comic characters already existed who mocked power or made people laugh at parties.
In Rome, they were called fools or scurrae, and were used for public entertainment.
They were a kind of social comedian: they criticized with humor, often with permission to speak what others could not.
2. Middle Ages – Court Jesters
The jester, a direct ancestor of the clown, appears.
He served in the courts of kings and nobles, with permission to mock everyone, even the king.
They wore colorful costumes, hats with bells, and performed acrobatics, jokes, puns, and even political criticism disguised as humor.
They were a mixture of comedian, poet, and philosopher with the license to speak the truth.
3. Renaissance – Commedia dell’Arte (Italy)
Commedia dell’Arte, a popular street theater, was born in the 16th century in Italy.
It featured characters such as:
Arlecchino (Harlequin): clumsy, playful.
Pierrot: the sad, lovelorn clown.
Pulcinella: sarcastic, mocking.
These archetypes formed the basis of modern clowns: one serious, one foolish, one sentimental…
4. 18th-19th Century – Modern Circus and the Birth of the Classic Clown
The modern circus was born in England (Philip Astley, 1768).
Here the classic circus clown was created:
The White Clown (elegant, serious).
The Augustus (silly, chaotic, with a red nose).
Duos or trios appeared: one gave the order, the other ruined it.
The first great clowns of international fame emerged, such as Grock and Joseph Grimaldi.
5. 20th Century – Television, Film, and New Forms
The clown entered silent film: Charles Chaplin and Buster Keaton used clowns without makeup, but with all the essence of the sad clown.
Children’s clowns were born on television, such as Bozo, Cepillín, Pipo, Krusty, etc.
Theatrical clowns also emerged, more poetic and reflective.
And the hospital clown appeared, like the famous Patch Adams.
6. Current Events – Diversification (and Fear of Clowns)
The clown has become multifaceted:
Theatrical Clown
Social Clown
Party Clown
Street Clown
Horror Clown (hello, Pennywise!)
The phenomenon of «coulrophobia» (fear of clowns) has also grown, due to strange movies and news reports.
Today, the clown is an artistic, therapeutic, and political tool.
Summary of the evolution of clowns
Ancient: Comedians, jesters, satirical figures.
Medieval: Court jesters.
Renaissance: Popular theater (Commedia dell’Arte).
19th Century: The classical clown is born in the circus.
20th Century: Explosion in film, TV, and hospitals.
Present: Performance art, therapy, horror, and pop culture.
THE CLOWNS OF THE RALUY LEGACY CIRCUS
The clowns of the Raluy Legacy Circus are an essential part of its artistic legacy, combining circus tradition with a deep emotional connection with the audience. One of the most notable is Luis Raluy, who plays the clown «Carablanca» in the ring, although he was much more!
Luis Raluy was a central figure in the history of the Spanish circus and an international benchmark for classical circus. Patriarch of a circus family with over 100 years of tradition, he directed the Raluy Circus. A circus that endures to this day thanks to the passion of the Raluy family.
It has now become one of the most iconic and important circus companies in the world, directed by his two daughters, Kerry and Louisa Raluy. They are the only two women to direct a circus in Europe!
We also highlight Jerzy Swider, who, having performed incredible balancing acts in his youth, took over the role of Bigotis about 10 years ago.
Now, in the latest Raluy Legacy Circus show, called «CYBORG,» we can see him as the Captain. Despite always taking on the roles of the strictest, maintaining order in the room, and being the most serious, he wins the hearts of all the spectators.
Off the stage, Jerzy Swider is part of the Raluy Family, serving as Chief of Staff and one of the company’s directors.
Pietro Vicentini has been part of the Raluy Legacy Circus for five years, evolving into the Soireé clown, innocent and mischievous yet full of talent! Pietro Vicentini worked for many years in the best theaters and circuses in Argentina, such as Circo Servian and El Circo del Anima. We can see Pietro engaging with the audience, engaging them, and juggling all kinds of objects, singing, and dancing!
The last to arrive was The Great Dimitri, and although he had never performed with a circus before, he has become not only the star of the show but also a key and beloved figure both on and off the stage.
A strange character who brings laughter to anyone lucky enough to see him host a show as complex as «CYBORG».
Witty, mischievous, mischievous, and daring, The Great Dimitri is a clear example of the evolution of the world of comedy and the clown character.
FAQs / Frequently asked questions about clowns
In this section we will answer all your questions about clowns.
To be a clown, you have to be funny! You have to have that spark that makes people laugh. Once you have that, you can further your skills at circus schools (here are some of the best schools and more information on how to be a circus performer) or create your own comedy routine, make a video, and send it to circuses, theaters, companies, etc. where you’d like to perform!
Coulrophobia is the phobia or irrational fear of clowns and mimes. It primarily affects children, although it can also affect adolescents and adults.
Clowns generally use glycerin-based face paints such as Superstar, Paradise, Graftobian, and Kryolan, which are the best for painting bases because of how flexible and soft they are.
It can take a clown 45 minutes to be ready to hit the stage. This time can vary depending on the character and type of clown they are.
Currently, we could say that the Joker, Charlie Rivel and Marcelino Orbés are the most famous clowns in the world.
In addition to being the white-faced clown of the Raluy Circus, he founded the company and created a unique circus-museum. To this day, his legacy continues thanks to the passion of the Raluy family, run by his daughters, Kerry and Louisa Raluy, the only two women to run a circus in Europe!
White Clown (White Clown) – Augusto – Carablanca – Tramp Clown or Vagabond – Hospital Clown (therapeutic clown) – Theater Clown – Street / Urban Theater Clown – Television Clown – Horror Clown – Soirée / Cabaret Clown
The first clown on record was Yusze, jester to the Chinese emperor in 2000 BC.
It all depends on talent! The more you make people laugh, the more you can earn. Prices range from 2,000 euros a month to 10,000 euros!