short history on clowns

.There are three main types of clown whiteface, Auguste and tramp or hobo. In each filed there has been meny famas clowns throu out the years starting with grimadi he is regarded as the farther of modern day clowns.

Joseph Grimaldi 1778 - 1837
Joseph Grimaldi was an innovator, his performance as Joey introduced the modern clown to the world, building on the existing role of Clown as a country bumpkin and fool, derived from the Commedia dell'arte; and making the clown the central character in the Harlequinade. His physical comedy was extraordinary, as was his ability to invent visual tricks and buffoonery, and his ability to poke fun at the audience. As Music hall became popular, he introduced the pantomime dame to the theatre and was responsible for the tradition of audience participation.
Then you have Francesco Caroli (1922 - present)
Francesco and his brothers are the legendary Caroli clowns. Shows which played host to their talents included Circus Knie in Switzerland, Cirque d'Hivere in Paris, and Circus Krone in Germany. In America, they performed more than fourteen different clown routines on the Ed Sullivan Show. When the death of one of his brothers put a sudden end to the world famous trio, Francesco took a teaching position at the State Circus School in France. In 1990, the director of Circus Roncalli made Francesco an offer he could not refuse. Francesco made a come-back to clowning at the grand old age of 70. He has been making audiences laugh with the Circus Roncalli in Germany ever since. This year Francesco celebrates his 60th year as a white face clown!
Auguste
NICOLAI "COCO" POLAKOVS (1900-1974)

Nicolai Polakovs was born in Latvia. He ran away from home at the age of eight to travel with an organ grinder, and then became apprenticed to famous Russian clown Lazernko. Eventually he owned his own circus in Russia. He left Russia after the revolution, joining Circus Busch in Berlin. In 1930, he joined England's Bertram Mills Circus, and stayed for nearly 40 years, the rest of the show's existence. After a serious road accident in 1960, he devoted his life to promoting road safety. In 1963, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for contributions to road safety awareness in children. Polakovs was instrumental in the formation of the Circus Clown Club, which evolved into the current Clowns International organization

MICHAEL POLAKOV (1923- )

Coco is a third generation Russian circus clown, who achieved his fame in England where the family came while he was a youth. He was associated with the Bertram Mills and Billy Smart Circuses in England, which later included tours of Europe. He came to the U.S. in 1953 to work for a limited time with the Mills Bros. Circus, before returning to England. Coco later joined Ringling Brothers, working eight years as advance man and goodwill ambassador. He developed several classic clown routines, including "Busy Bee". He later became an independent working clown, sometimes acting as an advance performer in small shows.
LOU JACOBS (1903-1992)

Lou Jacobs was born as Jacob Ludwig in Bremerhaven, Germany. He began his performing career as a tumbler and contortionist. Upon his arrival in the United States in 1923, he became a partner in a vaudeville tumbling act. In 1924 he joined Ringling Bros. and never left the big show. He became the most famous example of the flamboyant American auguste with his favorite small automobile, and acts with his irrepressible dogs Knucklehead and Peewee. His face has appeared on a 1966 U.S. postage stamp as well as millions of circus posters, t-shirts, and other memorabilia. Currently Lou is semi retired, although he teaches each day Ringling Bros. Clown College is in session.
tramp or hobo.
EMMETT KELLY, SR. (1898-1979)

Emmett Kelly Sr. was born in Sedan, Kansas. His first career was in cartooning. His circus career, which spanned 55 years, began as a trapeze performer with the Howes Great London Circus. He went into clowning (portraying a cartoon character he had in earlier years drawn). He worked with Hagenbeck & Wallace, Sells-Floto, Cole Brothers and the Mill Circus in London. In 1942 he joined Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus where he appeared until 1956. While with RBB&B he appeared in the movie, "The Greatest Show on Earth". Following the departure from the circus, he worked in night clubs, indoor circuses, trade shows and resorts. He was a Masonic Lodge member, and belonged to the Scottish Rite and Egypt Shrine temple of Tampa, Florida. He was buried in LaFayette, Indiana in a site near his mother.