Chicago's Bozo the Clown in Hollywood
- Chicago Movie Tours
- May 4, 2020
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 23, 2023
Before dominating children's television in Chicago, Bozo the clown performed for Hollywood's kids
Bozo the Clown’s Chicago franchise on WGN (1960-2001) is one of the most popular children's programs in television history.
Less widely known is that Bozo, before starring on TV, was hired by Hollywood stars to entertain at their children’s birthday parties.
In the images below, you can see Bozo at the 5th birthday of Ann Rutherford’s daughter, Gloria. You might know Rutherford as one of Scarlett O'Hara's sisters in Gone with the Wind or as Polly in the Andy Hardy teen comedies, costarring Mickey Rooney.
Note the Bozo placemats, balloons, and party hats among the 67 (!!!) tiny attendees. Pictured with Bozo is Joannie Fink, the photographer’s daughter.
— Photoplay, February 1950
This was such a fun read—Bozo’s wild Hollywood journey is something I didn’t expect, and now I can’t stop thinking about how much he shaped a whole era of entertainment. It’s the kind of nostalgic deep dive that pairs weirdly well with comfort food. After reading this, I actually grilled some chorizo using https://argentineasado.com/how-to-cook-chorizo-correctly/, and it turned out amazing. That guide nailed every detail. Great flavor, no guesswork. It totally matched the throwback vibe of the article.