STATUS: World-renowned Clown for Ringling Brothers Circus.
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: They all revolve around the circus. I come from seven generations of circus performers. My hobbies are trying to come up with new acts for the circus. Coming up with new ways of being a clown, of being funny. Take the daredevil stunts to the extreme and add comedy. Time with my three kids is a hobby also.
FAVORITE MOVIES: The Ten Commandments, It’s a Wonderful Life, Robert Downey in Chaplin.
MUSICAL TASTES: Hoo boy. I’m a classical fan. Blue Danube. The Night on Bald Mountain. Machebelle Cannon in b minor.
FAVORITE TV SHOWS: I Love Lucy. Groucho Marx in You Bet Your Life. Johnny Carson.
CHILDHOOD DREAM: You’re not going to believe it. I’ll give you a nightmare – missing a show. Dream – to be where I am now. Being the main clown of a circus. Being out there for one hour and 45 minutes of a two hour show.
GREATEST MOMENT OF CAREER: Winning the Silver Clown at Monte Carlo Circus Festival (‘98). Prince Rainier holds the circus every year and invites all the circuses of the world. I won the top honor. And being the headliner of Ringling Brothers. In the circus business it doesn’t get any higher, bigger or better than this. To be the star of the greatest show on earth.
MOST PAINFUL MOMENT: I found out my dad had died opening night of a show. Sept. 15, 2000. A show that I was a star in. I had to finish the show before I could fly home to (Sarasota) Florida. That’s tough. Can’t do anything about it.
FAVORITE MEAL: Spaghetti and clams that my wife makes. Or spaghetti and red sauce that my mom makes.
FAVORITE BREAKFAST CEREAL: Cream of wheat.
FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR: Sherbet. Any Italian ice.
WORST INJURY: I had a bad hair day once [laughs]. Never got hurt. Worst probably was dislocating my thumb on the first act of a three-show day. From sliding down a ladder upside down [laughs]. Popped it back in place. It worked. Then I went to the hospital and got a cast.
PEOPLE MOST ADMIRED: Someone I find amazing – people who stay married 50 years. Someone that’s stayed with the same spouse all their life.
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Just being home. We spend almost ten months a year on the road. You wouldn’t believe how much fun it is to mow your own grass.
Topics: Bad Hair Day, Bello The Clown, Blue Danube, Breakfast Cereal, Circus Festival, Circus Performers, Comedy Time, Daredevil Stunts, Greatest Show On Earth, Groucho Marx, Hobbies Interests, Italian Ice, Night On Bald Mountain, Painful Moment, Prince Rainier, Ringling Brothers Circus, Ringling Circus, Robert Downey, Sarasota Florida, Seven Generations
Biofile with Bello The Clown | 