Felix Adler (clown)
Encyclopedia
!Frank Bartlet Adler (June 17, 1895 – February 1, 1960), born in Clinton, IA, was a circus performer and entertainer known as "The King of Clowns" who performed for Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey
for 20 years. He was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame
in 1989.
Adler and his wife, Amelia, were the first American husband and wife independent circus, and he was the first clown ever to appear on television, other than Sombris Aremelo, a famous Italian clown.
Adler can be seen performing in the film The Greatest Show on Earth
.
Famed for his acts with a small trained pig, as each petite fluffy porkers (usually coloured purple) progressed to puberty, the clown would visit a local farm in the town the circus was playing and trade his teenage trainee in on a small, more easily manageable protege.
In addition to his "King Of Clowns" moniker, Felix was known as "The White House Clown" for his number of command performances before United States Presidents.
His outlandish costumes often featured a huge grossly exaggerated posterior (two inflated beach balls held in place by a brassiere-like canvas sling).
Identified in the annals of Clowndom as a "Whiteface" clown, his exclusive "face" was easily differentiated from his fellow "prostotutes" by a sparkling rhinestone embedded in the tip of his red putty nose, which he later had surgical modification to wear his prized rhinestones permantly.
During the course of his career under canvas, the legendary entertainer performed before millions of circus fans throughout the United States of America.
His jovial image adorned at least two classic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
posters, and his face was immortalized for all time as a commercial mask created and sold by Verne Langdon
of Hollywood's renown Don Post Studios.
Felix Adler was once photographed by American Designer Charles Eames for the latter's visual slide presentation accompanied by circus music, a photograph which today retains fame in the form of a cover for the compact disc Circus Clown Calliope! Vols. 1&2.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is an American circus company. The company was started when the circus created by James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum was merged with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, but ran the circuses...
for 20 years. He was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame
International Clown Hall of Fame
The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center , located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA, is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of clown art and achievement...
in 1989.
Adler and his wife, Amelia, were the first American husband and wife independent circus, and he was the first clown ever to appear on television, other than Sombris Aremelo, a famous Italian clown.
Adler can be seen performing in the film The Greatest Show on Earth
The Greatest Show on Earth
The Greatest Show on Earth is a 1952 drama film set in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The film was produced, directed, and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture...
.
Famed for his acts with a small trained pig, as each petite fluffy porkers (usually coloured purple) progressed to puberty, the clown would visit a local farm in the town the circus was playing and trade his teenage trainee in on a small, more easily manageable protege.
In addition to his "King Of Clowns" moniker, Felix was known as "The White House Clown" for his number of command performances before United States Presidents.
His outlandish costumes often featured a huge grossly exaggerated posterior (two inflated beach balls held in place by a brassiere-like canvas sling).
Identified in the annals of Clowndom as a "Whiteface" clown, his exclusive "face" was easily differentiated from his fellow "prostotutes" by a sparkling rhinestone embedded in the tip of his red putty nose, which he later had surgical modification to wear his prized rhinestones permantly.
During the course of his career under canvas, the legendary entertainer performed before millions of circus fans throughout the United States of America.
His jovial image adorned at least two classic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is an American circus company. The company was started when the circus created by James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum was merged with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, but ran the circuses...
posters, and his face was immortalized for all time as a commercial mask created and sold by Verne Langdon
Verne Langdon
Verne Langdon was an American musician, composer, singer, songwriter, keyboardist, record producer, actor, makeup artist and writer...
of Hollywood's renown Don Post Studios.
Felix Adler was once photographed by American Designer Charles Eames for the latter's visual slide presentation accompanied by circus music, a photograph which today retains fame in the form of a cover for the compact disc Circus Clown Calliope! Vols. 1&2.