Felix Adler (clown)

Adler and his wife, Amelia, ran the first American husband-and-wife independent circus, and he was the second clown to appear on television after Sombris Aremelo, an Italian clown.[1]

Amelia Adler appeared, in costume and makeup, as a guest on April 10, 1955 episode of the American television quiz program, What's My Line?. Adler also appears as a clown in the 1953 film The Greatest Show on Earth.

In addition to his "King Of Clowns" moniker, Adler was known as "The White House Clown" for his number of command performances before United States Presidents.

His outlandish costumes often featured a huge grossly exaggerated posterior, made from two inflated beach balls held in place by a brassiere-like canvas sling.

Identified in the annals of Clowndom as a "Whiteface" clown, his exclusive "face" was easily differentiated from other clowns by a sparkling rhinestone embedded in the tip of his red putty nose.

During his career, Adler performed before millions of circus fans in the United States.

His image was placed onto at least two classic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus posters, and a commercial mask resembling this face was created and sold by Verne Langdon.

He died following surgery on an ulcer on 1 February 1960. He is buried in Springdale Cemetery in Clinton, Indiana.[2]

Felix Adler was once photographed by American designer Charles Eames for the latter's visual slide presentation accompanied by circus music, a photograph which today retains fame in the form of a cover for the compact disc Circus Clown Calliope! Vols. 1&2.