Clarabell the Clown

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Clarabell the Clown was the mute sidekick of Howdy Doody.

Three actors played Clarabell. The first was Bob Keeshan, who later became Captain Kangaroo. Keeshan was succeeded by Bobby Nicholson, who later played the character of J. Cornelius Cobb on The Howdy Doody Show.

Lew Anderson was the third and last person to play Clarabell. Anderson played the character from 1954 until the series' final show on September 24, 1960. Anderson returned to play Clarabell in the short-lived 1976-77 "New Howdy Doody Show" and in the 1987 40th anniversary special, and in later years in many personal appearances with Buffalo Bob Smith.

Clarabell, who wore a baggy, striped costume, communicated by honking a horn for "yes" or "no." Clarabell would also spray fellow cast member Buffalo Bob Smith with seltzer.

Many attempts were made to find out the real face behind Clarabell. In an episode of Happy Days, Ritchie Cunningham is able to get a candid shot of Clarabell without his makeup, but chooses to destroy it.

Buffalo Bob Smith and the Kids of the Peanut Gallery sang a song about Clarabell: "Well, his feet are big, his tummy's stout, but we could never do without, Clara, Clara, ClaraBell."

Clarabell didn't speak until the end of the final episode. The camera moved in for a close-up of Clarabell; a drum roll grew louder and then died; and Clarabell whispered: "Goodbye, kids."

[edit] References

Martin, Douglas. (2006, May 17). Lew Anderson, 84, Clarabell the Clown and a Bandleader. The New York Times, p. C16