Who was the original archetypal sad clown?
355632
The Italians continued the theatrical tradition of the Greeks, but their version included street players, and stock characters.  They called it the Commedia Del Arte.\n\nAnother answerer has mentioned his name, Pagliacci.  He is also called Harlequin.\n\nHe and another character, the ingenue,  are often mentioned in comments about drama, and other visual entertainment media.
944347
There used to be a comic character named Tootsie *like the candy* way way back in the 1930's and 1940's.  She was a bit like Little Lulu.  Not to be confused with Toot Braunstein from "Drawn Together"
467054
Nope I remember Hanger 17.. it was set in an actual big hanger, wasn't it? I really hated the presenter, he used to irritate the t*ts off me. I have a similar problem.. I used to really love a cartoon called the Get Along Gang... but no-one else remembers it! The only way I know I'm not making it up, is that I still have a cuddly toy from it, on my bookshelf, a little beaver with roller skates!
823139
In the 70/80s, the great comic genius Kenny Everett had a sketch character who was always being interviewed by Michael Parkinson called 'Cupid Stunt'.\nThese are called Spoonerisms.
821074
Yes I had a cat named after him. He was created By Gilbert Shelton not R. Crumb as I had previously thought. \nI found Robert Crumb's book with all his characters was published. I saw it on a bargain table at Borders. I was short money and when I went back someone else got it.\n I just found it on line. Great stuff. Who could forget characters like Micky Rat,Fritz the Cat,Zippy the pinhead.The fabulous Freak Brothers who had Fat Freddie and his Cat.Binky Brown meets the Holy Virgin Mary.( You had to be a victim of Catholic school to appreciate that one.).Man that was some amazingly funny stuff. All came out in the late 60's and early 70's.
625456
There is a clown that lives in Northern Michigan that does all kinds of parties and events. This guy has been a clown for years. He's awesome. His name is Dynamite the clown. If you do a search for him on the net, I am sure you can find him. http://www.cadillacnews.com/articles/2006/05/01/news/news01.txt\nHere is a bit of information about him. His real name is Rudy Grahek.
492379
I found it really cool 2be with a clown - look he must be a good person,he wanna make everyone laugh and happy (espesially kids ),whats wrong abt it... i would b more worried if he was a morder or he own a night club. So be happy that grani is happy :)
838879
Clowns to the left...Jokers to the right\n\n\nI'm with ya
319179
Wile E. Coyote\n\n(Stupidious Geniusneses)
991544
An evil clown.\nWith all the kicks in the groin, darts from plastic guns in the eye and insults they should be expected to go postal.
528892
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right\nHere I am, stuck in the middle with you
344623
Eva Braun?  \n\nHerman Munster?  \n\nThe Penguin?  \n\nSmeagol?\n\nElvis Presley?\n\nAn extremely unhappy housewife who inexplicably got married to a normal guy - not the brightest - squeezed out a couple of pups, bought a barbecue and some decent furniture, joined the ladies club and the local country club, had the middle age spread, lost her looks sadly, woke up one morning next to the most powerful man in the world and realised he was Beelzebub, but by then it was too late.  She was in too deep and now wears a mask of loving solidarity as she fantasises about the good looking jock she used to go out with in college.  Poor girly.
809148
I think I know who you are talking about and he appeared in "Truant Student" with Windy the Bear (see below source link). He is known as Inspector Willoughby and he first appeared in "Rough and Tumbleweed" (1961) a Woody Woodpecker cartoon.  I know I'm right so give my freaking ten points now!!!!\n\nPS: He sounds just like Tex Avery's "Droopy Dog" (Hello you happy people)
64858
The Born Loser.  Sorry, but the art is WAAAYYYYY outdated and the jokes are even older...
682413
I hate clowns all because of a stupid game that is played at a carnival. It had a scary face and I had nightmares for weeks. That was when I was like 5. I still hate them.
866922
i think it might be James The cat. The art looked very psychadelic 60s but it came out in 1984
437672
Honestly, I don't hate clowns.  I'm actually obsessed with them.  Mimes too.  \n\nI do, however, believe that there IS something unnerving about clowns because as characters who are supposed to bring us such joy and amusement, they never seem to share their sadness and despair with us.  I think that removes them from the human equation, because they never seem to be able to relate or demonstrate (while in-costume) any kinship to the human condition.\n\nIt seems unnatural to smile when you don't feel like smiling, and if you can't maintain a smile, you paint it on your face despite your grimace, sneer or frown, thereby still giving the allusion of glee and merriment.  To me, that's disturbing.  \n\nThe most disturbing thing to me of all, and I've seen regular people who aren't clowns do this, is when someone smiles with their mouth - and NOT their eyes.  Sad clowns are the must perplexing, if you ask me.  Pagliacci and the like, are Perhaps this is why clowns are so mysteriously curious to us.  Their external facades are bizarre, and sometimes garishly horrific...  Who KNOWS what lurks underneath the greasepaint and crazy costumes?  Clowns make their living by lying to us, deceiving us, diverting our attention with petty parlor games, while hiding their identities, and pretending to be and feel something other than their true characteristics and feelings.  \n\nTheir costumery is sometimes freakish, sometimes even frightening - yet, they are a staple in the children's entertainment industry...  Even after the John Wayne Gacy affair...