Nipples the Clown
05-17-2006, 10:34 AM
Clarabell the Clown dead at 84
Lew Anderson, who captivated young baby boomers as The Howdy Doody Show's final Clarabell the Clown, died on Sunday, May 14, 2006, in Hawthorn, N.Y., at the age of 84. Long mute as Clarabell, Anderson, a musician and actor, broke the clown's silence in the show's final episode in 1960. With trembling lips and a visible tear in his eye, he spoke the show's final words: "Goodbye, kids." Though Anderson was not the only man to play "Buffalo Bob" Smith's mute sidekick, he was the best, Smith said in his memoir. For you trivia collectors, do you know who the first Clarabell the Clown was? It was Bob Keeshan, who died in January 2004. Keeshan gained fame as Captain Kangaroo.
Lew Anderson, who captivated young baby boomers as The Howdy Doody Show's final Clarabell the Clown, died on Sunday, May 14, 2006, in Hawthorn, N.Y., at the age of 84. Long mute as Clarabell, Anderson, a musician and actor, broke the clown's silence in the show's final episode in 1960. With trembling lips and a visible tear in his eye, he spoke the show's final words: "Goodbye, kids." Though Anderson was not the only man to play "Buffalo Bob" Smith's mute sidekick, he was the best, Smith said in his memoir. For you trivia collectors, do you know who the first Clarabell the Clown was? It was Bob Keeshan, who died in January 2004. Keeshan gained fame as Captain Kangaroo.