Bernard Richard "Red" Skelton
was an American comedian born in Vincennes, Indiana
who started in vaudeville as a teenager, worked his
way up to Broadway shows, secondary roles in MGM movies,
radio performances and finally popularity in the early
days of TV. His eponymous variety show ran alternately
on the television networks CBS and NBC from 1951 through
1971. (See: The Red Skelton Show.)
He is best remembered for taking on the persona of
circus clowns in traditional makeup — a role
that may have come naturally to Skelton, since his
father, who died shortly before his birth, had worked
as a clown for the Hagenbeck & Wallace Circus.
His best-known clown persona was "Freddy the Freeloader",
who had traditional tramp clown makeup. Another popular
character was goofy "Clem Kadiddlehopper".
Near the end of his life, Skelton said his daily
routine included writing a short story a day and composing
a piece of music a day (which he would then sell to
providers of background music such as Muzak).
One of America's best-loved comedians, Red Skelton
is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, in
Glendale, California. |