Circus performer Harriet Hodgini, sits on the gate of a truck helping Otto Griebling, a circus clown, apply his makeup, 1935 🎪
One of the four clowns bestowed with the title of Master Clown by Irvin Feld, the head of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Otto Griebling spent his entire life performing. After arriving in America from Germany, he began studying the art of clowning under Albert Hodgini in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Hogdini’s entire family was involved in his act, and many of them went on to work with Griebling throughout his life. Initially, Griebling was a high flying clown but after a nearly life ending fall he was forced to change up his style or quit clowning altogether.
Griebling continued to work with the Hogdini family, but he became a more “sad clown” type of character. While other clowns made a big show of things, Griebling stalked the crowd attempting to find “Miss Jones,” in order to hand off a large piece of ice. He would continue to do so until it was almost melted and someone took pity on him.
