Bobby Kaye, famous circus clown

BOBBY KAYE (1908 - 1983)

Inducted into the 1991 Clown Hall of Fame

Beginning with the Downey Bros. Circus in 1923, Bobby Kaye toured with a number of shows, including the Ringling Brothers Circus. In addition to his Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey appearances, he served as goodwill ambassador for the circus, traveling in advance of the show some seasons. He joined Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College staff in 1971 and four years later had charge of all make-up classes. The expert in magic provided large illusions for the Ringling Clown Alleys, including a version of the long shirt gag which ended in the cloth tube unfolding into an American flag large enough to cover the ring and requiring 10 clowns to support it.

You can find interviews with and several anecdotes about Bobby Kaye in the book The World of Clowns