The famous fast-food clown is back in the spotlight as McDonald's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F25%2Ftech%2Fsocial-media%2Fapparently-this-matters-ronald-mcdonald%2F">re-introduced Ronald McDonald </a>on Wednesday, April 23. Ronald, who has been the face of the company since 1963, was shown to the public with a fresh wardrobe that included cargo pants, a technical vest, and a red and white striped rugby shirt. But he isn't the only well-known clown in the biz. Take a look at other memorable clowns from throughout the years.
Most memorable clowns —
The famous fast-food clown is back in the spotlight as McDonald's re-introduced Ronald McDonald on Wednesday, April 23. Ronald, who has been the face of the company since 1963, was shown to the public with a fresh wardrobe that included cargo pants, a technical vest, and a red and white striped rugby shirt. But he isn't the only well-known clown in the biz. Take a look at other memorable clowns from throughout the years.
From McDonalds
American circus performer Emmett Kelly Sr. lifts his hat at the circus in 1943. His character Weary Willie, a sad and tattered tramp, is one of the best-known clowns of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey combined circus. He joined the Ringling Bros. circus in 1942 and stayed with it until the late 1950s. In 1952, he made his motion-picture debut in "The Greatest Show on Earth" with Charlton Heston and James Stewart.
Most memorable clowns —
American circus performer Emmett Kelly Sr. lifts his hat at the circus in 1943. His character Weary Willie, a sad and tattered tramp, is one of the best-known clowns of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey combined circus. He joined the Ringling Bros. circus in 1942 and stayed with it until the late 1950s. In 1952, he made his motion-picture debut in "The Greatest Show on Earth" with Charlton Heston and James Stewart.
Weegee(Arthur Fellig)/International Center of Photography/Getty Images
Everybody knows the lovable, corrupt cartoon character Krusty the Clown from "The Simpsons." He is host of his own "The Krusty the Clown Show" and owner of his own fast food chain, Krusty Burger, known for its variety of animal meat burgers.
Most memorable clowns —
Everybody knows the lovable, corrupt cartoon character Krusty the Clown from "The Simpsons." He is host of his own "The Krusty the Clown Show" and owner of his own fast food chain, Krusty Burger, known for its variety of animal meat burgers.
FROM FOX BROADCASTING
From left, Red Skelton, Loring Smith and Tim Considine in "The Clown" in 1953. Skelton was a radio and television comedian and best known for his television show "The Red Skelton Show." His father was a circus clown who died two months before he was born. Skelton delighted audiences as the sentimental clown for 20 years. He even produced dozens of clown paintings.
Most memorable clowns —
From left, Red Skelton, Loring Smith and Tim Considine in "The Clown" in 1953. Skelton was a radio and television comedian and best known for his television show "The Red Skelton Show." His father was a circus clown who died two months before he was born. Skelton delighted audiences as the sentimental clown for 20 years. He even produced dozens of clown paintings.
Courtesy Everett Collection
If Tim Curry's portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in Stephen King's "It" wasn't enough to scare you, nothing could. This demonic, child-killing clown torments a group of social outcasts and feeds on their fears after killing them. Once defeated, Pennywise returns to the children 30 years later to finish off what was started.
Most memorable clowns —
If Tim Curry's portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in Stephen King's "It" wasn't enough to scare you, nothing could. This demonic, child-killing clown torments a group of social outcasts and feeds on their fears after killing them. Once defeated, Pennywise returns to the children 30 years later to finish off what was started.
WARNER BROS/Everett Collection
Lew Anderson, right, as Clarabell the Clown from "The Howdy Doody Show" with Howdy Doody, Jerry Mahoney (dummy) and Paul Winchell. Clarabell was a mute clown who broke his silence in the show's final episode. With trembling lips and a visible tear in his eye, he spoke the show's final words: "Goodbye, kids." The show ran on NBC from 1947 to 1960.
Most memorable clowns —
Lew Anderson, right, as Clarabell the Clown from "The Howdy Doody Show" with Howdy Doody, Jerry Mahoney (dummy) and Paul Winchell. Clarabell was a mute clown who broke his silence in the show's final episode. With trembling lips and a visible tear in his eye, he spoke the show's final words: "Goodbye, kids." The show ran on NBC from 1947 to 1960.
NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Promoter and entertainer Larry Harmon portrays Bozo the Clown. Although Harmon was not the original Bozo, he appeared as Bozo in dozens of television shows for decades and licensed the name to other Bozos around the world. Another notable Bozo would include Willard Scott, who became the first Ronald McDonald.
Photos: Most memorable clowns —
Promoter and entertainer Larry Harmon portrays Bozo the Clown. Although Harmon was not the original Bozo, he appeared as Bozo in dozens of television shows for decades and licensed the name to other Bozos around the world. Another notable Bozo would include Willard Scott, who became the first Ronald McDonald.
International Clown Hall of Fame/AP
Heath Ledger played one of the darker versions of The Joker in "The Dark Knight," but comedian Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson portrayed him more as a prankster clown. And though his origins have not been definitive, he is the most popular and well-known clown in comic books.
Most memorable clowns —
Heath Ledger played one of the darker versions of The Joker in "The Dark Knight," but comedian Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson portrayed him more as a prankster clown. And though his origins have not been definitive, he is the most popular and well-known clown in comic books.
WARNER BROS.
Circa 1915, Italian tenor Enrico Caruso poses for a portrait as Canio from Leoncavallo's opera "Pagliacci." The plot to the famed opera has been boiled down by the San Diego Opera as "Crazed clown murders wife in front of live audience." The central role has been played by such notables as Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti.
Most memorable clowns —
Circa 1915, Italian tenor Enrico Caruso poses for a portrait as Canio from Leoncavallo's opera "Pagliacci." The plot to the famed opera has been boiled down by the San Diego Opera as "Crazed clown murders wife in front of live audience." The central role has been played by such notables as Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Last but not least, Pogo the Clown, probably the most notable and horrific clown to date. John Wayne Gacy, who dressed as Pogo, was convicted in 1980 of killing 33 men and boys in the Chicago area. Gacy worked as a contractor and part-time party clown, who lured his male victims with promises of construction jobs, drugs, alcohol or money for sex, or by posing as a police officer.
Most memorable clowns —
Last but not least, Pogo the Clown, probably the most notable and horrific clown to date. John Wayne Gacy, who dressed as Pogo, was convicted in 1980 of killing 33 men and boys in the Chicago area. Gacy worked as a contractor and part-time party clown, who lured his male victims with promises of construction jobs, drugs, alcohol or money for sex, or by posing as a police officer.