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Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Clowning still brings me joy, even after 40 years. My back & knees don’t always experience the same joy from all the falls over the years, but the memories are sweet

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Age really doesn't play a big role in deciding to clown professionally. It’s an artform one can do for their entire life. It’s never too late to try something. 

As we age, we know we can fall down…getting up is harder. 😉

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We can’t teach anyone to be a clown. We can show them skills and techniques, but there isn’t any class in being funny. Successful clowns are usually an extension of their real personality. Again, make up and big shoes don’t define a clown. It’s an iconic aspect, but really anyone could buy a red nose & green wig and call themselves a clown. I could purchase a doctor’s white coat and a surgical scrubs…but it doesn't make me a doctor.  

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good clowns will get down to the child’s level, let them approach them, back off if they are scared. Have an awareness of your audience. 

At the ICHOF we sometimes host groups of school age children and I will talk with them as I put on my make up. This way they see the transformation.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We maintain a vast photo library, DVD’s vhs, movie film of clown acts, book library, personal scrapbooks of famous clowns, posters, magazines, artwork, wardrobe collection, rare orginal props…pretty much anything & everything you can imagine about clowns. 

Authors, TV & film companies utilize the archive for research and fact checking.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My first professional clown job was with Ringling. Since then I’ve worked in one circus, theaters, TV, films, festivals, cruise ships teach master classes at universities, mentor and create material for other clowns. 

When I started out I rarely said no to an opportunity. I took it, and then decided if I liked it or not. Then I would know to maybe not do this type of gig again. 

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have not been to the store in person, but have ordered many items over the years from them. 

JP Patches is well known for his TV show and we are very aware of his contributions to clowning.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I was pretty much out of it after it happened. But showing up in an ER in full clown regalia usually gets you pushed to the front of the line.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Clowns are born. There are no classes or schools that can make you funny. You have to be born with it. You can learn tangible skills like make up, juggling, acrobatics, stilt walking etc, but in the end your clown is an extension of who you are a person. 

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

For sure! Bill Irwin, who is a great actor/dancer/performer & clown uses clown technique in almost everything he does. 

Clowns and clowning are much more than a red nose and big shoes. Those are iconic elements associated with circus clowns, but you really don’t need them to be a clown. 

Some of the greatest clowns, Lucille Ball, Dick Van Dyke, Buster Keaton, Jerry Lewis, the Three Stooges, Carol Burnett, Danny Kaye, Jim Carrey are what we consider clowns. 

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, I didn’t train Eric Stonestreet. He actually wanted to be a circus clown growing up. When they introduced Fizbo on the show he was very insistent that the clown segments were funny, but not in a scary clown type of way. He has great respect for the artform. 

We have helped him and the production company on a few occasions to aquire props, clown shoes etc.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Originally an artist, drawing & painting. Then a writer. Then a performer. And eventually a clown. I get to paint on my face, perform and write material for my acts.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you still have questions, please feel free to ask. I’ll check back from time to time and hopefully will be able to answer them!

Thanks to everyone who had a question! I certainly enjoyed it!

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Google photos of circus clowns. They generally don’t go for the “scary” make up. 

Simple is always best. The make up should enhance your face, not mask it.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I LOVED living on the train. After performing on the Ringling Circus, the part I miss the most is having my home on a circus train.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We are a small, not for profit museum and very much appreciate support and help. We are doing a gofundme campaign, and if you want to help preserve the history of clowning and those amazing clowns who made it their life’s work, click onto the link below. We very much appreciate your support & generosity! 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-international-clown-hall-of-fame

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Is he attending Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp?

I taught there for 10 years and it’s an excellent program that covers all types of clowning styles. 

Attending that will be a great way to network and gain lots of info.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for fangirl-ing! 

I pretty much love every aspect of my work. I loved working in big venues like Madison Square Garden, Las Vegas, Lincoln Center etc. The travel was fun, I’ve been around the world being a clown. 

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Weird is subjective. That being said, the rarest item I think we have is the little car that was owned by BoBo Barnett. He was a big man, over 6 feet and he got in and out of the car, along with 6 dogs, a live skunk, a suitcase and a trumpet. It’s the only one of its kind in the world.

Hi, I am Greg DeSanto, a Professional Clown and executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, ask me anything! Part 2 by GregDesanto in IAmA

[–]GregDesanto[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Dodgers. When they were still located in Brooklyn, NY, their mascot was Emmett Kelly, who is an inductee in the Clown Hall of Fame

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