Tuition was free but entry was difficult. Buster Keaton and Bugs Bunny were on the curriculum. You graduated with a wig, giant shoes, and full makeup. Welcome to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College.
And they had some famous graduates too: Bill Irwin of Elmo’s World (I mentioned him in an earlier post); Steve-O from Jackass; Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller fame; and Steven Banks, who amongst other things was head writer of Spongebob Squarepants for six years.
The college closed in 1997. I wonder where aspirational clowns go now?