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Quiz about Clowning Around
Quiz about Clowning Around

Clowning Around Trivia Quiz


Clowns have been around since ancient times. Some are funny, some creepy. This list of clowns originated on TV, stage, film, or in literature. Match the name of the clown with the actor or author who originated the role.

A matching quiz by nmerr. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
nmerr
Time
3 mins
Type
Match Quiz
Quiz #
416,473
Updated
May 16 24
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
140
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: rainbowriver (8/10), camhammer (2/10), piet (2/10).
(a) Drag-and-drop from the right to the left, or (b) click on a right side answer box and then on a left side box to move it.
QuestionsChoices
1. Weary Willie  
  Vance "Pinto" Colvig
2. Clarabell  
  Willard Scott
3. Ronald McDonald  
  John Carroll Lynch
4. Joey  
  Tim Curry
5. Pennywise  
  Oleg Popov
6. Sunshine   
  Joseph Grimaldi
7. Bozo  
  James Stewart
8. Krusty  
  Dan Castellaneta
9. Twisty  
  Bob Keeshan
10. Buttons  
  Emmett Kelly





Select each answer

1. Weary Willie
2. Clarabell
3. Ronald McDonald
4. Joey
5. Pennywise
6. Sunshine
7. Bozo
8. Krusty
9. Twisty
10. Buttons

Most Recent Scores
Oct 16 2024 : rainbowriver: 8/10
Sep 30 2024 : camhammer: 2/10
Sep 26 2024 : piet: 2/10
Sep 25 2024 : psnz: 10/10
Sep 10 2024 : Guest 136: 10/10
Sep 05 2024 : Guest 76: 5/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Weary Willie

Answer: Emmett Kelly

Emmett Kelly was born in Kansas in 1898 and became one of the world's most famous clowns. The character of Weary Willie, created by Kelly from a cartoon character he drew, was based on what were known at the time as hobos, now known as migrant workers. With his sad facial expression, big red nose, unkempt beard, and painted white lips that stretched from side to side, Weary Willie represented the tough times faced by so many during the Great Depression.
2. Clarabell

Answer: Bob Keeshan

For those who remember watching the 1950s American children's TV show "Howdy Doody", you'll undoubtedly remember Clarabell, the clown played by Bob Keeshan. He originated the role although several others took over the role later on. You may also remember Keeshan hosting another children's favorite, "Captain Kangaroo". Clarabell, dressed in a baggy, striped outfit, never spoke at all.

He only communicated by honking a horn for yes or no.
3. Ronald McDonald

Answer: Willard Scott

Ronald McDonald was the clown mascot of the McDonald's fast food chain. With his red curly hair, red nose, big red mouth, and yellow and red costume, he was instantly identifiable. First introduced in 1963 in several TV advertisements, the family-friendly fast food chain and the welcoming Ronald McDonald clown made McDonald's very popular. Willard Scott not only played the original Ronald McDonald mascot but was well known as an American broadcaster, weather presenter, radio announcer, and disc jockey.

At one time he even played Bozo the Clown.
4. Joey

Answer: Joseph Grimaldi

Grimaldi performed as a clown and pantomimist on stage in England in the early part of the 19th century. He appeared on stage at Drury Lane and Covent Garden theaters. He introduced white-face which is still used by clown impersonators today. Grimaldi's character became so popular that the word "clown" was changed to his nickname "Joey", a term also used today.
5. Pennywise

Answer: Tim Curry

Adapted from the 1986 Stephen King novel "It", actor Tim Curry played Pennywise in a 1990 TV mini series. Bill Skarsgård played the clown in a 2017 film and 2019 sequel. The author wanted to write a novel to scare children. I think he succeeded spectacularly.

The shape-shifting clown, who lived underground in the sewer system of a small town in Maine, preyed on children. What can be scarier than that?
6. Sunshine

Answer: Oleg Popov

Known as the "Sunshine Clown", Oleg Popov was a well-known Russian performer who toured nationally. Not only did he create his unique persona as a clown, he was skilled as a juggler, acrobat, and high-wire performer. Instead of using make-up traditionally used by Western clowns, he drew black lines under his eyes to make himself appear sad. Along with his red nose and rosy cheeks, Popov dressed in a black jacket, striped pants, yellow wig and checkered cap.

His inspiration for "Sunshine" was based on a Russian folktale "Ivanushka" or "Ivan the Fool", a story about a naive, simple-minded boy who went on to accomplish great things.
7. Bozo

Answer: Vance "Pinto" Colvig

Bozo the Clown was the brainchild of Alan Livingston who created the character in 1946. Livingston worked for Capitol Records in Hollywood, California. He hired Pinto Colvig to be the voice of Bozo on a record he produced and a few years later on American TV.

After Larry Harmon bought the creative rights to the character, Bozo began appearing on local TV shows. Paul Montgomery, Syd Saylor, and national TV weatherman, Willard Scott, were some of the actors who appeared as Bozo on TV.
8. Krusty

Answer: Dan Castellaneta

Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky, also known as Krusty the Clown, has been a longtime fixture on the animated TV series "The Simpsons". He even resembles Homer Simpson, father of the Simpson clan. Krusty the Clown has aqua-green colored hair styled into three tufts, two on the sides of his head and one on top.

He also dons white-face when he impersonates Krusty. Dan Castellaneta voices Krusty on the series. Castellaneta is known as a comedian, writer, and actor. He also voices the character of Homer Simpson.
9. Twisty

Answer: John Carroll Lynch

The TV show "American Horror Story" had a particularly creepy episode about a clown who, after leaving Florida, joined a traveling carnival. With a mental disability as a result of being dropped on his head as a child, two cruel co-workers teased him until he returned to Florida.

He tried selling spinning objects, or whirligigs, at a local shop but failed to make ends meet. His attempt at committing suicide by shooting himself in the head also failed and he was left permanently disfigured. This only added to the grotesque and angry creature he had become, a serial killer.

He donned a scary clown mask to cover his disfigurement but only succeeded in frightening the children whom he only wanted to befriend.
10. Buttons

Answer: James Stewart

Accomplished actor, James Stewart, played the role of "Buttons", a clown featured in the 1952 film "The Greatest Show on Earth". The actual Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus and its performers were featured in the film. Buttons used his ever-present clown make-up and his role as a clown in the circus to hide the fact that he was really a physician who killed his wife years earlier, although he claimed it was a mercy killing.

At the end of the film he finally admits the truth.
Source: Author nmerr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
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