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[[File:Scary Clowns at PDC2008 Party at Universal Studios (cropped).jpg|thumb|A group of people in evil clown costumes at a [[PDC 2008]] party at [[Universal Studios Hollywood|Universal Studios]]]]
[[File:Scary Clowns at PDC2008 Party at Universal Studios (cropped).jpg|thumb|A group of people in evil clown costumes at a [[PDC 2008]] party at [[Universal Studios Hollywood|Universal Studios]]]]


The '''evil clown''' is a subversion of the traditional comic [[clown]] character, in which the playful trope is instead depicted in a more disturbing nature through the use of [[Horror (genre)|horror]] elements and [[dark humor]]. The modern archetype of the evil clown was popularized by the [[DC Comics]] [[supervillain]] [[Joker (character)|Joker]] starting in 1940, and again in the 1980s by [[It (character)|Pennywise]] from [[Stephen King]]'s ''[[It (novel)|It]]''. The character can be seen as playing on the sense of unease felt by sufferers of coulrophobia, the [[phobia|fear]] of clowns.
The '''evil clown''' is a subversion of the traditional comic [[clown]] character, in which the playful trope is instead depicted in a more disturbing nature through the use of [[Horror (genre)|horror]] elements and [[dark humor]]. The modern archetype of the evil clown was popularized by the [[DC Comics]] [[supervillain]] [[Joker (character)|Joker]] starting in 1940, and again in the 1980s by [[Pennywise]] from [[Stephen King]]'s ''[[It (novel)|It]]''. The character can be seen as playing on the sense of unease felt by sufferers of coulrophobia, the [[phobia|fear]] of clowns.
 
==Terminology==
==Terminology==
The character is also known as the '''creepy clown''', '''scary clown''' or '''killer clown''' if their character revolves around terrorizing and [[murder]]ing people.
The character is also known as the '''creepy clown''', '''phantom clown''', '''scary clown''' or '''killer clown''' if their character revolves around terrorizing and [[murder]]ing people.


==Origins==
==Origins==
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The evil clown archetype plays strongly off the sense of dislike it caused to inherent elements of coulrophobia; however, it has been suggested by Joseph Durwin<ref name="trickster">{{cite journal | last=Durwin| first=Joseph| title=Coulrophobia and the Trickster| journal=Trickster's Way| volume=3| issue=1| id=Article 4| publisher=Trinity University| location=San Antonio| date=15 November 2004| url=http://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1080&context=trickstersway&sei-redir=1| issn=1538-9030| access-date=2 January 2013}}
The evil clown archetype plays strongly off the sense of dislike it caused to inherent elements of coulrophobia; however, it has been suggested by Joseph Durwin<ref name="trickster">{{cite journal | last=Durwin| first=Joseph| title=Coulrophobia and the Trickster| journal=Trickster's Way| volume=3| issue=1| id=Article 4| publisher=Trinity University| location=San Antonio| date=15 November 2004| url=http://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1080&context=trickstersway&sei-redir=1| issn=1538-9030| access-date=2 January 2013}}
</ref> that the concept of evil clowns has an independent position in popular culture, arguing that "the concept of evil clowns and the widespread hostility it induces is a cultural phenomenon which transcends just the phobia alone". A study by the [[University of Sheffield]] concluded "that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7189401.stm |title=Health &#124; Hospital clown images 'too scary' |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=15 January 2008 |access-date=5 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Why scary">{{cite news |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=16 January 2008|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7191721.stm|title=Why are clowns scary?|first=Finlo|last=Rohrer}}</ref> This may be because of the nature of clowns' makeup hiding their faces, making them potential threats in disguise; as a psychology professor at [[California State University, Northridge]] stated, young children are "very reactive to a familiar body type with an unfamiliar face".<ref name="trinity"/> This natural dislike of clowns makes them effective in a literary or fictional context, as the antagonistic threat perceived in clowns is desirable in a villainous character.
</ref> that the concept of evil clowns has an independent position in popular culture, arguing that "the concept of evil clowns and the widespread hostility it induces is a cultural phenomenon which transcends just the phobia alone". A study by the [[University of Sheffield]] concluded "that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7189401.stm |title=Health &#124; Hospital clown images 'too scary' |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=15 January 2008 |access-date=5 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Why scary">{{cite news |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=16 January 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7191721.stm|title=Why are clowns scary?|first=Finlo|last=Rohrer}}</ref> This may be because of the nature of clowns' makeup hiding their faces, making them potential threats in disguise; as a psychology professor at [[California State University, Northridge]] stated, young children are "very reactive to a familiar body type with an unfamiliar face".<ref name="trinity"/> This natural dislike of clowns makes them effective in a literary or fictional context, as the antagonistic threat perceived in clowns is desirable in a villainous character.


Researcher [[Ben Radford]], who published ''Bad Clowns''<ref name="Bad Clowns"/> in 2016 and is regarded as an expert on the phenomenon,<ref name="kob4">{{cite web|last1=Shone|first1=Colton|title=Recent scary clown trend nothing new, expert said|url=http://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/recent-scary-clown-trend-nothing-new-expert-benjamin-radford-bad-clowns-author-book-creepy/4291893/?cat=500|website=KOB 4|access-date=20 October 2016|author-link=Ben Radford|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018190315/http://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/recent-scary-clown-trend-nothing-new-expert-benjamin-radford-bad-clowns-author-book-creepy/4291893/?cat=500|archive-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> writes that looking throughout history clowns are seen as tricksters, fools, and more; however, they always are in control, speak their minds, and can get away with doing so. When writing the book ''Bad Clowns'', Radford found that professional clowns are not generally fond of the bad-clown (or evil-clown) persona. They see them as "the rotten apple in the barrel, whose ugly sight and smell casts suspicion on the rest of them," and do not wish to encourage or propagate coulrophobia. Yet, as Radford discovered, bad clowns have existed throughout history: [[Harlequin]], the King's fool, and Mr. Punch. Radford argues that bad clowns have the "ability to change with the times" and that modern bad clowns have evolved into Internet trolls. They may not wear clown costume but, nevertheless, engage with people for their own amusement, abuse, tease and speak what they think of as the "truth" much like the court jester and "dip clowns" do using "human foibles" against their victims. Radford states that, although bad clowns permeate the media in movies, TV, music, comics, and more, the "good clowns" outnumber the bad ones. Research shows that most people do not fear clowns but actually love them and that bad clowns are "the exception, not the rule."<ref name="Bad Clowns">{{cite book|last1=Radford|first1=Ben|author-link=Ben Radford|title=Bad Clowns|date=2016|publisher=University of New Mexico Press|location=Albuquerque|isbn=978-0-8263-5666-6}}</ref>
Researcher [[Ben Radford]], who published ''Bad Clowns''<ref name="Bad Clowns"/> in 2016 and is regarded as an expert on the phenomenon,<ref name="kob4">{{cite web|last1=Shone|first1=Colton|title=Recent scary clown trend nothing new, expert said|url=http://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/recent-scary-clown-trend-nothing-new-expert-benjamin-radford-bad-clowns-author-book-creepy/4291893/?cat=500|website=KOB 4|access-date=20 October 2016|author-link=Ben Radford|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018190315/http://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/recent-scary-clown-trend-nothing-new-expert-benjamin-radford-bad-clowns-author-book-creepy/4291893/?cat=500|archive-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> writes that looking throughout history clowns are seen as tricksters, fools, and more; however, they always are in control, speak their minds, and can get away with doing so. When writing the book ''Bad Clowns'', Radford found that professional clowns are not generally fond of the bad-clown (or evil-clown) persona. They see them as "the rotten apple in the barrel, whose ugly sight and smell casts suspicion on the rest of them," and do not wish to encourage or propagate coulrophobia. Yet, as Radford discovered, bad clowns have existed throughout history: [[Harlequin]], the King's fool, and Mr. Punch. Radford argues that bad clowns have the "ability to change with the times" and that modern bad clowns have evolved into Internet trolls. They may not wear clown costume but, nevertheless, engage with people for their own amusement, abuse, tease and speak what they think of as the "truth" much like the court jester and "dip clowns" do using "human foibles" against their victims. Radford states that, although bad clowns permeate the media in movies, TV, music, comics, and more, the "good clowns" outnumber the bad ones. Research shows that most people do not fear clowns but actually love them and that bad clowns are "the exception, not the rule."<ref name="Bad Clowns">{{cite book|last1=Radford|first1=Ben|author-link=Ben Radford|title=Bad Clowns|date=2016|publisher=University of New Mexico Press|location=Albuquerque|isbn=978-0-8263-5666-6}}</ref>
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The cultural critic [[Mark Dery]] has theorized the [[postmodern]] [[archetype]] of the evil clown in "Cotton Candy Autopsy: Deconstructing Psycho-Killer Clowns" (a chapter in his cultural critique ''The Pyrotechnic Insanitarium: American Culture on the Brink'').<ref name="insanitarium">{{cite book |first=Mark |last=Dery | title=The Pyrotechnic Insanitarium: American Culture on the Brink| url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780802136701 |url-access=registration | publisher=[[Grove Press]] | location=[[New York City|New York]] | year=1999 | isbn= 0-8021-3670-2}}</ref>
The cultural critic [[Mark Dery]] has theorized the [[postmodern]] [[archetype]] of the evil clown in "Cotton Candy Autopsy: Deconstructing Psycho-Killer Clowns" (a chapter in his cultural critique ''The Pyrotechnic Insanitarium: American Culture on the Brink'').<ref name="insanitarium">{{cite book |first=Mark |last=Dery | title=The Pyrotechnic Insanitarium: American Culture on the Brink| url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780802136701 |url-access=registration | publisher=[[Grove Press]] | location=[[New York City|New York]] | year=1999 | isbn= 0-8021-3670-2}}</ref>


Tracking the image of the demented or deviant clown across [[popular culture]], Dery analyzes the "Pogo the Clown" persona of the [[serial killer]] [[John Wayne Gacy]]; the obscene clowns of the neo-[[Situationist International|situationist]] [[Cacophony Society]]; the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] (of ''[[Batman]]'' fame); the grotesque art of R.K. Sloane; the sick-funny [[Bobcat Goldthwait]] comedy ''[[Shakes the Clown]]''; ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'''s Ghost Clown from the episode "Bedlam in the Big Top"; Horny the Clown in the 2007 horror-comedy movie ''[[Drive-Thru (film)|Drive-Thru]]'', and [[It (character)|Pennywise]] from [[Stephen King]]'s ''[[It (novel)|It]]''.
Tracking the image of the demented or deviant clown across [[popular culture]], Dery analyzes the "Pogo the Clown" persona of the [[serial killer]] [[John Wayne Gacy]]; the obscene clowns of the neo-[[Situationist International|situationist]] [[Cacophony Society]]; the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] (of ''[[Batman]]'' fame); the grotesque art of R.K. Sloane; the sick-funny [[Bobcat Goldthwait]] comedy ''[[Shakes the Clown]]''; ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'''s Ghost Clown from the episode "Bedlam in the Big Top"; Horny the Clown in the 2007 horror-comedy movie ''[[Drive-Thru (film)|Drive-Thru]]'', and [[Pennywise]] from [[Stephen King]]'s ''[[It (novel)|It]]''.
[[File:It (1986) front cover, first edition.jpg|thumb|upright|The evil entity from the [[It (novel)|1986 novel]] by [[Stephen King]] takes sometimes the form of a clown.]]
[[File:Mono tocopilla.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Pennywise|Pennywise the Dancing Clown]], otherwise known as It, is the antagonist in [[Stephen King]]'s 1986 novel [[It (novel)|''It'']].]]
Using [[Mikhail Bakhtin]]'s theory of the carnivalesque, [[Analytical Psychology|Jungian]] and historical writings on the images of the fool in myth and history, and ruminations on the mingling of ecstasy and dread in the [[Information Age]], Dery asserts the evil clown is an icon of our times. Clowns are often depicted as murderous [[psychopath]]s at many American [[Haunted attraction (simulated)|haunted houses]].
Using [[Mikhail Bakhtin]]'s theory of the carnivalesque, [[Analytical Psychology|Jungian]] and historical writings on the images of the fool in myth and history, and ruminations on the mingling of ecstasy and dread in the [[Information Age]], Dery asserts the evil clown is an icon of our times. Clowns are often depicted as murderous [[psychopath]]s at many American [[Haunted attraction (simulated)|haunted houses]].


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== Depictions ==
== Depictions ==
{{see also|:Category:Horror films about clowns}}
{{see also|:Category:Horror films about clowns}}
The [[Joker (character)|Joker]] character in the ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' franchise was introduced in 1940 and has developed into one of the most recognizable and iconic fictional characters in popular culture, leading ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' magazine's "100 Greatest Villains of All Time" ranking in 2006.<ref>{{cite journal |author=<!--Staff--> |date=July 2006 |title=Top 100 Greatest Villains |journal=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] |volume=1 |issue=177}}</ref> The contemporary "evil clown" archetype developed in the 1980s, notably popularized by [[It (character)|Pennywise]] from [[Stephen King]]'s [[It (novel)|''It'']], and perhaps influenced by [[John Wayne Gacy]], a serial killer dubbed the ''Killer Clown'' in 1978. ''[[Killer Klowns from Outer Space]]'' is a 1988 horror comedy dedicated to the topic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitel |first=Anton |date=2016-10-12 |title=How genre cinema fuelled our collective fear of killer clowns |url=https://lwlies.com/articles/killer-clown-craze-it-pennywise/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=[[Little White Lies (magazine)|Little White Lies]] |language=en}}</ref> Although [[Krusty the Clown]], a cartoon character introduced 1989 in the animated sitcom ''[[The Simpsons]]'', is a comical, non-scary clown, the character reveals darker aspects in his personality. In ''The Simpsons'' episode "[[Lisa's First Word]]" (1992), children's fear of clowns features in the form of a very young Bart being traumatized by an inexpertly built Krusty the Clown themed bed, repeatedly uttering the phrase "can't sleep, clown will eat me...." The phrase inspired an [[Alice Cooper]] song in the album ''[[Dragontown]]'' (2001)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AT/lib00059,117508302B023D18.html |title=Some pop culture creations demonize the red-nosed men |access-date=19 January 2008 |date=15 February 2007 |work=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]}}</ref> and became a popular catchphrase.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7191721.stm |title=Why are clowns scary? |first=Finlo |last=Rohrer |access-date= 19 January 2008 |date=16 January 2008 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Evil clowns are also mentioned in a popular song by P!nk.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://genius.com/P-nk-funhouse-lyrics | title=P!nk – Funhouse }}</ref>
The [[Joker (character)|Joker]] character in the ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' franchise was introduced in 1940 and has developed into one of the most recognizable and iconic fictional characters in popular culture, leading ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' magazine's "100 Greatest Villains of All Time" ranking in 2006.<ref>{{cite journal |author=<!--Staff--> |date=July 2006 |title=Top 100 Greatest Villains |journal=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] |volume=1 |issue=177}}</ref> The contemporary "evil clown" archetype developed in the 1980s, notably popularized by [[Pennywise]] from [[Stephen King]]'s [[It (novel)|''It'']], and perhaps influenced by [[John Wayne Gacy]], a serial killer dubbed the ''Killer Clown'' in 1978. ''[[Killer Klowns from Outer Space]]'' is a 1988 horror comedy dedicated to the topic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitel |first=Anton |date=2016-10-12 |title=How genre cinema fuelled our collective fear of killer clowns |url=https://lwlies.com/articles/killer-clown-craze-it-pennywise/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=[[Little White Lies (magazine)|Little White Lies]] |language=en}}</ref> Although [[Krusty the Clown]], a cartoon character introduced 1989 in the animated sitcom ''[[The Simpsons]]'', is a comical, non-scary clown, the character reveals darker aspects in his personality. In ''The Simpsons'' episode "[[Lisa's First Word]]" (1992), children's fear of clowns features in the form of a very young Bart being traumatized by an inexpertly built Krusty the Clown themed bed, repeatedly uttering the phrase "can't sleep, clown will eat me...." The phrase inspired an [[Alice Cooper]] song in the album ''[[Dragontown]]'' (2001)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AT/lib00059,117508302B023D18.html |title=Some pop culture creations demonize the red-nosed men |access-date=19 January 2008 |date=15 February 2007 |work=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]}}</ref> and became a popular catchphrase.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7191721.stm |title=Why are clowns scary? |first=Finlo |last=Rohrer |access-date= 19 January 2008 |date=16 January 2008 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Evil clowns are also mentioned in a popular song by P!nk.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://genius.com/P-nk-funhouse-lyrics | title=P!nk – Funhouse }}</ref>


The American rap duo [[Insane Clown Posse]] have exploited this theme since 1989 and have inspired [[Twiztid]] and similar acts, many on [[Psychopathic Records]], to do likewise. Websites dedicated to evil clowns and the fear of clowns appeared in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite news| quote= Coulrophobia has spread to the Web, where sufferers can vent on sites such as ihateclowns.com and clownz.com. | first= Steve| last= Steinberg| title= Nightmare with a red nose| work= [[Dallas Morning News]] | date= 25 January 2003}}</ref>
The American rap duo [[Insane Clown Posse]] have exploited this theme since 1989 and have inspired [[Twiztid]] and similar acts, many on [[Psychopathic Records]], to do likewise. Websites dedicated to evil clowns and the fear of clowns appeared in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite news| quote= Coulrophobia has spread to the Web, where sufferers can vent on sites such as ihateclowns.com and clownz.com. | first= Steve| last= Steinberg| title= Nightmare with a red nose| work= [[Dallas Morning News]] | date= 25 January 2003}}</ref>
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* The [[Joker (character)|Joker]], the nemesis of [[Batman]], whose key features are chalk-white skin, emerald-green hair, ruby-red lips and (in some iterations) a perpetual smile, sometimes a permanent [[risus sardonicus|sardonic grin]] or a [[Glasgow smile]], depending on the adaption of the character.<ref>Newsstand on-sale date 25 April 1940 per: {{Cite web |title=The first ad for ''Batman'' #1 |publisher=DC Comics |url=http://www.goldenagebatman.com/batman1ad.htm |access-date=23 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019031845/http://www.goldenagebatman.com/batman1ad.htm |archive-date=19 October 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He is commonly depicted as a criminal mastermind, as well as a sadistic and murderous [[psychopath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/08/why-so-serious-the-many-looks-of-joker|title=Why So Serious?: The Many Looks of Joker|website=IGN.com|date=8 December 2008|author=Daniel Phillips|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> The character is also known by several nicknames, including "the Clown Prince of Crime".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://moviepilot.com/posts/3441651|title=3 Things Which Make the Clown Prince of Crime Tremble With Fear!|website=[[Moviepilot]]|date=11 October 2015|author=Aayush Gupta|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126082749/http://moviepilot.com/posts/3441651|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/games/trailers/842531-injustice-2-joker-trailer-shows-off-the-clown-prince-of-crime|title=Injustice 2 Joker Trailer Shows Off the Clown Prince of Crime|author=Spencer Perry|website=ComingSoon.net|date=28 April 2017|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>  
* The [[Joker (character)|Joker]], the nemesis of [[Batman]], whose key features are chalk-white skin, emerald-green hair, ruby-red lips and (in some iterations) a perpetual smile, sometimes a permanent [[risus sardonicus|sardonic grin]] or a [[Glasgow smile]], depending on the adaption of the character.<ref>Newsstand on-sale date 25 April 1940 per: {{Cite web |title=The first ad for ''Batman'' #1 |publisher=DC Comics |url=http://www.goldenagebatman.com/batman1ad.htm |access-date=23 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019031845/http://www.goldenagebatman.com/batman1ad.htm |archive-date=19 October 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He is commonly depicted as a criminal mastermind, as well as a sadistic and murderous [[psychopath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/08/why-so-serious-the-many-looks-of-joker|title=Why So Serious?: The Many Looks of Joker|website=IGN.com|date=8 December 2008|author=Daniel Phillips|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> The character is also known by several nicknames, including "the Clown Prince of Crime".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://moviepilot.com/posts/3441651|title=3 Things Which Make the Clown Prince of Crime Tremble With Fear!|website=[[Moviepilot]]|date=11 October 2015|author=Aayush Gupta|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126082749/http://moviepilot.com/posts/3441651|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/games/trailers/842531-injustice-2-joker-trailer-shows-off-the-clown-prince-of-crime|title=Injustice 2 Joker Trailer Shows Off the Clown Prince of Crime|author=Spencer Perry|website=ComingSoon.net|date=28 April 2017|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>  
* The 1982 film ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]'', directed by [[Tobe Hooper]] and produced by [[Steven Spielberg]], along with the [[Poltergeist (2015 film)|2015 remake of the same name]] directed by [[Gil Kenan]], feature a possessed clown doll.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/original-poltergeist-scariest-scenes-119604151242.html|title=The 7 Most Nightmare-Inducing Scenes From the Original 'Poltergeist'|author=Jordan Zakarin|date=22 May 2015|website=[[Yahoo! Movies]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/55078/20150402/poltergeist-2015-new-trailer-possessed-clowns-attack-horror-movie-remake-watch.htm|title='Poltergeist' 2015 New Trailer: Possessed Clowns Attack In Horror Movie Remake [WATCH]|author=Andrew Shuster|date=2 April 2015|website=Fashion & Style|access-date=1 June 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810214810/http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/55078/20150402/poltergeist-2015-new-trailer-possessed-clowns-attack-horror-movie-remake-watch.htm|archive-date=10 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/85515-8-poltergeist-scenes-from-the-original-film-that-will-make-you-wonder-how-it-received-a|title=8 'Poltergeist' Scenes From the Original Film That Will Make You Wonder How It Received A PG Rating|author=Sabienna Bowman|date=24 May 2015|website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The 1982 film ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]'', directed by [[Tobe Hooper]] and produced by [[Steven Spielberg]], along with the [[Poltergeist (2015 film)|2015 remake of the same name]] directed by [[Gil Kenan]], feature a possessed clown doll.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/original-poltergeist-scariest-scenes-119604151242.html|title=The 7 Most Nightmare-Inducing Scenes From the Original 'Poltergeist'|author=Jordan Zakarin|date=22 May 2015|website=[[Yahoo! Movies]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/55078/20150402/poltergeist-2015-new-trailer-possessed-clowns-attack-horror-movie-remake-watch.htm|title='Poltergeist' 2015 New Trailer: Possessed Clowns Attack In Horror Movie Remake [WATCH]|author=Andrew Shuster|date=2 April 2015|website=Fashion & Style|access-date=1 June 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810214810/http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/55078/20150402/poltergeist-2015-new-trailer-possessed-clowns-attack-horror-movie-remake-watch.htm|archive-date=10 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/85515-8-poltergeist-scenes-from-the-original-film-that-will-make-you-wonder-how-it-received-a|title=8 'Poltergeist' Scenes From the Original Film That Will Make You Wonder How It Received A PG Rating|author=Sabienna Bowman|date=24 May 2015|website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* [[It (character)|Pennywise the Dancing Clown]], the main antagonist in [[Stephen King]]'s 1986 horror novel ''[[It (novel)|It]]'' and its adaptations. Pennywise was portrayed in the [[It (miniseries)|1990 television miniseries version]] by [[Tim Curry]] and by [[Bill Skarsgård]] in the [[It (2017 film)|2017 film adaptation]] and its [[It Chapter Two|2019 sequel]].<ref name="it">{{cite book |first=Stephen |last=King | title=It | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6a5vXEod09oC | publisher=[[Viking Press]] | location=New York City | year=1986 | isbn=0-451-16951-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/220787/tim-curry-describes-finding-right-look-pennywise/|title=Tim Curry Describes Finding the Right Look for Pennywise|author=Jonathan Barkan|date=29 March 2017|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://moviepilot.com/p/bill-skarsgard-pennywise-cast-stephen-king-it-2017/4224738|title=Bill Skarsgård "Freaked Out" The Young Cast of Stephen King's 'It' — Will His Pennywise Be Scarier Than Tim Curry's?|author=David Opie|website=[[Moviepilot]]|date=14 March 2017|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317083656/https://moviepilot.com/p/bill-skarsgard-pennywise-cast-stephen-king-it-2017/4224738|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/it-remake-teaser-trailer-pennywise-bill-skarsgard-stephen-king-1202054445/|title='It' Teaser Trailer: Pennywise Creeps Back into Our Lives|author=Liz Calvario|date=29 March 2017|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* [[Pennywise|Pennywise the Dancing Clown]], the main antagonist in [[Stephen King]]'s 1986 horror novel ''[[It (novel)|It]]'' and its adaptations. Pennywise was portrayed in the [[It (miniseries)|1990 television miniseries version]] by [[Tim Curry]] and by [[Bill Skarsgård]] in the [[It (2017 film)|2017 film adaptation]] and its [[It Chapter Two|2019 sequel]].<ref name="it">{{cite book |first=Stephen |last=King | title=It | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6a5vXEod09oC | publisher=[[Viking Press]] | location=New York City | year=1986 | isbn=0-451-16951-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/220787/tim-curry-describes-finding-right-look-pennywise/|title=Tim Curry Describes Finding the Right Look for Pennywise|author=Jonathan Barkan|date=29 March 2017|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://moviepilot.com/p/bill-skarsgard-pennywise-cast-stephen-king-it-2017/4224738|title=Bill Skarsgård "Freaked Out" The Young Cast of Stephen King's 'It' — Will His Pennywise Be Scarier Than Tim Curry's?|author=David Opie|website=[[Moviepilot]]|date=14 March 2017|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317083656/https://moviepilot.com/p/bill-skarsgard-pennywise-cast-stephen-king-it-2017/4224738|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/it-remake-teaser-trailer-pennywise-bill-skarsgard-stephen-king-1202054445/|title='It' Teaser Trailer: Pennywise Creeps Back into Our Lives|author=Liz Calvario|date=29 March 2017|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The 1988 film ''[[Killer Klowns from Outer Space]]'', directed by [[the Chiodo Brothers]], features extraterrestrial evil clowns as the story's antagonists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/killer_klowns_from_outer_space/|title=Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=27 May 1988 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3410788/stephen-chiodo-explains-killer-klowns-outer-space-trilogy-plans/|title=Stephen Chiodo Explains 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space' Trilogy Plans|author=John Squires|date=18 October 2016|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The 1988 film ''[[Killer Klowns from Outer Space]]'', directed by [[the Chiodo Brothers]], features extraterrestrial evil clowns as the story's antagonists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/killer_klowns_from_outer_space/|title=Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=27 May 1988 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3410788/stephen-chiodo-explains-killer-klowns-outer-space-trilogy-plans/|title=Stephen Chiodo Explains 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space' Trilogy Plans|author=John Squires|date=18 October 2016|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The 1989 film ''[[Clownhouse]]'', written and directed by [[Victor Salva]], concerns brothers who are attacked in their own home by escaped mental patients dressed as clowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clownhouse/|title=Clownhouse (1989)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The 1989 film ''[[Clownhouse]]'', written and directed by [[Victor Salva]], concerns brothers who are attacked in their own home by escaped mental patients dressed as clowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clownhouse/|title=Clownhouse (1989)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
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* [[Sweet Tooth (Twisted Metal)|Sweet Tooth]], a character in the ''[[Twisted Metal]]'' video game series.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gallery/25-coolest-videogame-characters/25-sweet-tooth-introduced-in-twisted-metal|title=25 Coolest Videogame Characters|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=5 May 2011|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702050644/http://ew.com/gallery/25-coolest-videogame-characters/25-sweet-tooth-introduced-in-twisted-metal/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sweet Tooth the Clown from ''Twisted Metal'' (2012) is a man wearing a psychotic clown mask with a flaming head and carrying a large machete. He drives a weaponised ice-cream van with the same clown face on the roof.
* [[Sweet Tooth (Twisted Metal)|Sweet Tooth]], a character in the ''[[Twisted Metal]]'' video game series.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gallery/25-coolest-videogame-characters/25-sweet-tooth-introduced-in-twisted-metal|title=25 Coolest Videogame Characters|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=5 May 2011|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702050644/http://ew.com/gallery/25-coolest-videogame-characters/25-sweet-tooth-introduced-in-twisted-metal/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sweet Tooth the Clown from ''Twisted Metal'' (2012) is a man wearing a psychotic clown mask with a flaming head and carrying a large machete. He drives a weaponised ice-cream van with the same clown face on the roof.
* Jack the Clown, an icon of the [[Halloween Horror Nights]] event celebrated at [[Universal Studios Florida]], [[Universal Studios Hollywood]], [[Universal Studios Singapore]], and [[Universal Studios Japan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.horrornightnightmares.com/hhn-x/|title=HHN|website=Horror Night Nightmares|access-date=2 June 2017|archive-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711003748/http://www.horrornightnightmares.com/hhn-x/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-universal-halloween-jack-clown-back-20150519-post.html|title=Universal: Jack is back for Halloween Horror Nights|author=Dewayne Bevil|date=19 May 2015|website=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=2 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/05/19/jack-is-back-at-halloween-horror-nights/|title="Jack" Is Back at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights|author=John MacLauchlan|date=19 May 2015|website=miami.cbslocal.com|publisher=[[WFOR-TV|CBS Miami]]|access-date=2 June 2017}}</ref>
* Jack the Clown, an icon of the [[Halloween Horror Nights]] event celebrated at [[Universal Studios Florida]], [[Universal Studios Hollywood]], [[Universal Studios Singapore]], and [[Universal Studios Japan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.horrornightnightmares.com/hhn-x/|title=HHN|website=Horror Night Nightmares|access-date=2 June 2017|archive-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711003748/http://www.horrornightnightmares.com/hhn-x/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-universal-halloween-jack-clown-back-20150519-post.html|title=Universal: Jack is back for Halloween Horror Nights|author=Dewayne Bevil|date=19 May 2015|website=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=2 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/05/19/jack-is-back-at-halloween-horror-nights/|title="Jack" Is Back at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights|author=John MacLauchlan|date=19 May 2015|website=miami.cbslocal.com|publisher=[[WFOR-TV|CBS Miami]]|access-date=2 June 2017}}</ref>
*The 2009 [[BBC]] comedy programme ''[[Psychoville]]'' features a protagonist named Mr Jelly, "[a]n embittered hook-handed clown and children's entertainer."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/psychoville/characters/jelly.shtml|title=BBC - Psychoville - Characters: Mr Jelly, played by Reece Shearsmith|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
*The 2009 [[BBC]] comedy programme ''[[Psychoville]]'' features a protagonist named Mr Jelly, "[a]n embittered hook-handed clown and children's entertainer."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/psychoville/characters/jelly.shtml|title=BBC - Psychoville - Characters: Mr Jelly, played by Reece Shearsmith|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
* The horror film series ''[[Killjoy (film series)|Killjoy]]'' features a demonic killer clown as its main antagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1100772_killjoy|title=Killjoy (2000)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=4 October 2005 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The horror film series ''[[Killjoy (film series)|Killjoy]]'' features a demonic killer clown as its main antagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1100772_killjoy|title=Killjoy (2000)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=4 October 2005 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* In ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica]]'', one of the most powerful Witches is one that looks like a medieval jester attached to giant cogs. Nicknamed "Walpurgisnacht", she flies around with her familiars like a mad circus troupe, laying waste to any city in her path in a fashion similar to tornadoes or hurricanes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiki.puella-magi.net/Walpurgisnacht | title=Walpurgisnacht | website=Puella Magi Wiki | access-date=14 November 2025}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.madoka-magica.com/tv/special/dic/card30.html | title=魔女図鑑 | website=「魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 始まりの物語／永遠の物語」TV Edition公式サイト |access-date=14 November 2025}}</ref>
* In the 2012 [[Anthology film|anthology]] horror film ''[[Scary or Die]]'', a drug dealer is bitten by a clown at a birthday party, and he begins to transform into a cannibalistic clown himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/37497/scary-or-die-2012/|title=Scary or Die (2012)|author=Scott Foy|date=16 September 2012|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* In the 2012 [[Anthology film|anthology]] horror film ''[[Scary or Die]]'', a drug dealer is bitten by a clown at a birthday party, and he begins to transform into a cannibalistic clown himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/37497/scary-or-die-2012/|title=Scary or Die (2012)|author=Scott Foy|date=16 September 2012|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The 2012 film ''[[Stitches (2012 film)|Stitches]]'' features a murderous birthday clown, portrayed by [[Ross Noble]], who is resurrected from the dead in order to enact revenge upon the children who contributed to his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/36946/stitches-2012/|title=Stitches (2012)|date=30 August 2012|author=Gareth Jones|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The 2012 film ''[[Stitches (2012 film)|Stitches]]'' features a murderous birthday clown, portrayed by [[Ross Noble]], who is resurrected from the dead in order to enact revenge upon the children who contributed to his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/36946/stitches-2012/|title=Stitches (2012)|date=30 August 2012|author=Gareth Jones|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
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* The 2014 film ''Theatre of Fear'', directed by [[Andrew Jones (filmmaker)|Andrew Jones]], features a murderous clown character played by [[Nathan Head]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2846292/|title = The Midnight Horror Show|website = [[IMDb]]|date = 25 March 2015}}</ref>
* The 2014 film ''Theatre of Fear'', directed by [[Andrew Jones (filmmaker)|Andrew Jones]], features a murderous clown character played by [[Nathan Head]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2846292/|title = The Midnight Horror Show|website = [[IMDb]]|date = 25 March 2015}}</ref>
* The 2014 horror film ''[[Clown (film)|Clown]]'', directed by [[Jon Watts]] and produced by [[Eli Roth]], follows a man who, upon finding and wearing a clown suit, becomes trapped in the cursed skin of an ancient [[Scandinavian folklore|Nordic demon]] known as the "Clöyne".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/clown-2016|title=Clown Movie Review & Film Summary (2016)|website=RogerEbert.com|author=Brian Tallerico|date=17 June 2016|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blumhouse.com/2016/06/16/director-jon-watts-how-clown-went-from-fake-eli-roth-trailer-to-real-eli-roth-production/|title=Director Jon Watts: How CLOWN Went from Fake Eli Roth Trailer to Real Eli Roth Production|author=Michael Gingold|author-link=Michael Gingold|date=16 June 2016|website=Blumhouse.com|publisher=[[Blumhouse Productions]]|access-date=2 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909193601/http://www.blumhouse.com/2016/06/16/director-jon-watts-how-clown-went-from-fake-eli-roth-trailer-to-real-eli-roth-production/|archive-date=9 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The 2014 horror film ''[[Clown (film)|Clown]]'', directed by [[Jon Watts]] and produced by [[Eli Roth]], follows a man who, upon finding and wearing a clown suit, becomes trapped in the cursed skin of an ancient [[Scandinavian folklore|Nordic demon]] known as the "Clöyne".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/clown-2016|title=Clown Movie Review & Film Summary (2016)|website=RogerEbert.com|author=Brian Tallerico|date=17 June 2016|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blumhouse.com/2016/06/16/director-jon-watts-how-clown-went-from-fake-eli-roth-trailer-to-real-eli-roth-production/|title=Director Jon Watts: How CLOWN Went from Fake Eli Roth Trailer to Real Eli Roth Production|author=Michael Gingold|author-link=Michael Gingold|date=16 June 2016|website=Blumhouse.com|publisher=[[Blumhouse Productions]]|access-date=2 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909193601/http://www.blumhouse.com/2016/06/16/director-jon-watts-how-clown-went-from-fake-eli-roth-trailer-to-real-eli-roth-production/|archive-date=9 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* A 2018 update to the 2016 asymmetrical horror game ''[[Dead by Daylight]]'' added a new killer called The Clown, whose appearance and backstory fit the evil clown archetype.
* The 2021 film ''[[Behind the Sightings]]'' was inspired by the viral [[2016 clown sightings|clown sightings of 2016]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/tommy-v-behind-the-sightings-film-1202103283/|title=Tommy V Nabs Clown Epidemic Thriller 'Behind The Sightings'|author=Amanda N'Duka|date=31 May 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3439923/clown-film-behind-sightings-will-ripped-headlines-horror/|title=Scary Clown Film 'Behind The Sightings' is Ripped from the Headlines|author=John Squires|date=31 May 2017 |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/232135/clown-sightings-based-horror-film-behind-sightings-acquired-tommy-v-films/|title=Clown Sightings-Based Horror Film Behind the Sightings Acquired by Tommy V Films |author=Jonathan Barkan|date=31 May 2017|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
* The 2021 film ''[[Behind the Sightings]]'' was inspired by the viral [[2016 clown sightings|clown sightings of 2016]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/tommy-v-behind-the-sightings-film-1202103283/|title=Tommy V Nabs Clown Epidemic Thriller 'Behind The Sightings'|author=Amanda N'Duka|date=31 May 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3439923/clown-film-behind-sightings-will-ripped-headlines-horror/|title=Scary Clown Film 'Behind The Sightings' is Ripped from the Headlines|author=John Squires|date=31 May 2017 |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/232135/clown-sightings-based-horror-film-behind-sightings-acquired-tommy-v-films/|title=Clown Sightings-Based Horror Film Behind the Sightings Acquired by Tommy V Films |author=Jonathan Barkan|date=31 May 2017|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>


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File:Creepo The Clown.jpg|Creepo The Clown
File:Creepo The Clown.jpg|Creepo The Clown
File:Clown BWE 2014.jpg|Evil clown in Bloody Week-End 2014
File:Clown BWE 2014.jpg|Evil clown in Bloody Week-End 2014
File:WW Chicago 2013 - Pennywise (9518419949).jpg|A cosplayer in [[It (character)|Pennywise]] (miniseries) costume at the 2013 Wizard World Chicago
File:WW Chicago 2013 - Pennywise (9518419949).jpg|A cosplayer in [[Pennywise]] (miniseries) costume at the 2013 Wizard World Chicago
File:2019-07-06 10-07-56 ILCE-6500 DSC09837 DxO (48472993641).jpg|A cosplayer in Pennywise costume at the Japan Expo 2019
File:2019-07-06 10-07-56 ILCE-6500 DSC09837 DxO (48472993641).jpg|A cosplayer in Pennywise costume at the Japan Expo 2019
File:Festival del mito CD2.jpg|A man dressed as evil clown at Myth Festival, held at the Santa Alegría Sports Center
File:Festival del mito CD2.jpg|A man dressed as evil clown at Myth Festival, held at the Santa Alegría Sports Center
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== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Idlirvirissong]]
* [[Juggalos]]
* [[Motley]]
* [[Motley]]


Latest revision as of 03:55, 15 November 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "For". Script error: No such module "redirect hatnote". Template:Use dmy dates

File:Scary Clowns at PDC2008 Party at Universal Studios (cropped).jpg
A group of people in evil clown costumes at a PDC 2008 party at Universal Studios

The evil clown is a subversion of the traditional comic clown character, in which the playful trope is instead depicted in a more disturbing nature through the use of horror elements and dark humor. The modern archetype of the evil clown was popularized by the DC Comics supervillain Joker starting in 1940, and again in the 1980s by Pennywise from Stephen King's It. The character can be seen as playing on the sense of unease felt by sufferers of coulrophobia, the fear of clowns.

Terminology

The character is also known as the creepy clown, phantom clown, scary clown or killer clown if their character revolves around terrorizing and murdering people.

Origins

File:Enrico Caruso As Canio.jpg
Enrico Caruso as the murderous Canio in Pagliacci

The modern archetype of the evil clown has unclear origins; the stock character appeared infrequently during the 19th century, in such works as Edgar Allan Poe's "Hop-Frog",[1] which is believed by Jack Morgan, of the University of Missouri-Rolla, to draw upon an earlier incident "at a masquerade ball", in the 14th century, during which "the King and his frivolous party, costumed—in highly flammable materials—as simian creatures, were ignited by a flambeau and incinerated, the King narrowly escaping in the actual case."[2] Evil clowns also occupied a small niche in drama, appearing in the 1874 work La femme de Tabarin by Catulle Mendès and in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci (accused of being a plagiarism of Mendès' piece), both works featuring murderous clowns as central characters.[3][4] American serial killer and rapist John Wayne Gacy became known as the Killer Clown when arrested in 1978, after it was discovered he had performed as Pogo the Clown at children's parties and other events; however, Gacy did not actually commit his crimes while wearing his clown costume.[5] During the 1980s, the National Lampoon published a series of mock comic books in the pages of the magazine, entitled "Evil Clown", which featured a malevolent character named Frenchy the Clown.

Evil clown themes were occasionally found in popular music. Zal Cleminson, guitarist with the English rock band The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, wore black and white clown-style makeup and colorful clothes while on stage during the band's 1970s heyday, while his "happy-sad-happy" demeanor helped give their performances an edge of menace.[6]

The evil clown archetype plays strongly off the sense of dislike it caused to inherent elements of coulrophobia; however, it has been suggested by Joseph Durwin[7] that the concept of evil clowns has an independent position in popular culture, arguing that "the concept of evil clowns and the widespread hostility it induces is a cultural phenomenon which transcends just the phobia alone". A study by the University of Sheffield concluded "that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."[8][9] This may be because of the nature of clowns' makeup hiding their faces, making them potential threats in disguise; as a psychology professor at California State University, Northridge stated, young children are "very reactive to a familiar body type with an unfamiliar face".[10] This natural dislike of clowns makes them effective in a literary or fictional context, as the antagonistic threat perceived in clowns is desirable in a villainous character.

Researcher Ben Radford, who published Bad Clowns[11] in 2016 and is regarded as an expert on the phenomenon,[12] writes that looking throughout history clowns are seen as tricksters, fools, and more; however, they always are in control, speak their minds, and can get away with doing so. When writing the book Bad Clowns, Radford found that professional clowns are not generally fond of the bad-clown (or evil-clown) persona. They see them as "the rotten apple in the barrel, whose ugly sight and smell casts suspicion on the rest of them," and do not wish to encourage or propagate coulrophobia. Yet, as Radford discovered, bad clowns have existed throughout history: Harlequin, the King's fool, and Mr. Punch. Radford argues that bad clowns have the "ability to change with the times" and that modern bad clowns have evolved into Internet trolls. They may not wear clown costume but, nevertheless, engage with people for their own amusement, abuse, tease and speak what they think of as the "truth" much like the court jester and "dip clowns" do using "human foibles" against their victims. Radford states that, although bad clowns permeate the media in movies, TV, music, comics, and more, the "good clowns" outnumber the bad ones. Research shows that most people do not fear clowns but actually love them and that bad clowns are "the exception, not the rule."[11]

Interpretations

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File:The Evil Clown.jpg
A man in evil clown costume in 2007

The concept of the evil clown is related to the irrational fear of clowns, known as coulrophobia, a neologism coined in the context of informal "-phobia lists".[13]

The cultural critic Mark Dery has theorized the postmodern archetype of the evil clown in "Cotton Candy Autopsy: Deconstructing Psycho-Killer Clowns" (a chapter in his cultural critique The Pyrotechnic Insanitarium: American Culture on the Brink).[14]

Tracking the image of the demented or deviant clown across popular culture, Dery analyzes the "Pogo the Clown" persona of the serial killer John Wayne Gacy; the obscene clowns of the neo-situationist Cacophony Society; the Joker (of Batman fame); the grotesque art of R.K. Sloane; the sick-funny Bobcat Goldthwait comedy Shakes the Clown; Scooby-Doo's Ghost Clown from the episode "Bedlam in the Big Top"; Horny the Clown in the 2007 horror-comedy movie Drive-Thru, and Pennywise from Stephen King's It.

File:Mono tocopilla.jpg
Pennywise the Dancing Clown, otherwise known as It, is the antagonist in Stephen King's 1986 novel It.

Using Mikhail Bakhtin's theory of the carnivalesque, Jungian and historical writings on the images of the fool in myth and history, and ruminations on the mingling of ecstasy and dread in the Information Age, Dery asserts the evil clown is an icon of our times. Clowns are often depicted as murderous psychopaths at many American haunted houses.

Wolfgang M. Zucker points out the similarities between a clown's appearance and the cultural depictions of demons and other infernal creatures, noting "[the clown's] chalk-white face in which the eyes almost disappear, while the mouth is enlarged to a ghoulish bigness, looks like the mask of death".[15]

According to psychology professor Joseph Durwin at California State University, Northridge, young children are "very reactive to a familiar body type with an unfamiliar face".[10] Researchers who have studied the phobia believe there is some correlation to the uncanny valley effect.[16] Additionally, clown behavior is often "transgressive" (anti-social behavior) which can create feelings of unease.[17]

A 2022 survey of 987 adults from 64 countries found that 54% of respondents reported experiencing some degree of coulrophobia.[18]

Urban legends and incidents

The clown sightings

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The related urban legend of evil clown sightings in real life is known as "phantom clowns".[19] First reported in 1981 in Brookline, Massachusetts, children said that men dressed up as clowns had attempted to lure them into a van.[20] The panic spread throughout the US in the Midwest and Northeast. It resurfaced in 1985 in Phoenix, Arizona; in 1991 in West Orange, New Jersey;[21] in 1990 in Brazil, through a story reported by the Brazilian tabloid Notícias Populares;[22] and 1995 in Honduras. Later sightings included Chicago in Illinois in 2008.[20] Explanations for the phenomenon have ranged from Stephen King's It and the crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy,[19] to a moral panic influenced by contemporaneous fears of Satanic ritual abuse.[20] It also shows similarities to the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.[21] In most cases the reports were made by children, and no adults or police officers were able to confirm the sightings.[20]

In 2013, a character who became known as "the Northampton Clown" was repeatedly sighted standing silently around the English town. The work of three local filmmakers, Alex Powell, Elliot Simpson and Luke Ubanski, the Northampton clown was similar in appearance to Pennywise from Stephen King's It.[23] Although rumors said that the clown may have a knife, the clown himself denied these rumors through social media.[24] In March 2014, Matteo Moroni from Perugia, Italy, owner of YouTube channel DM Pranks, began dressing up as a killer clown and terrifying unsuspecting passers-by, with his videos racking up hundreds of millions of views.[25] In 2014, further complaints of evil clown pranksters were reported in France, the United States and Germany, possibly inspired by American Horror Story: Freak Show.[26]

In 2014, "the Wasco clown" attracted social media attention in California. Again this clown shared a similar resemblance to Pennywise, and it was revealed that the social media postings were part of a year-long photography project conducted by the artist's wife.[27] In Bakersfield, California "menacing" clowns were reported, some with weapons.[28] In July 2015, a "creepy" clown was seen around a local cemetery in Chicago and terrorizing anyone in the graveyard.[29]

There was another burst of such sightings in 2016, including in South Carolina and New York.[30][31]

Researcher Ben Radford writes that there have been many surges of evil clown sightings reported, Radford says it is most likely pranksters. The urban legends and panic can cause real danger as "face-painted pranksters and innocent bystanders may be at risk" by interaction of well-intended public or police thinking a threat exists when it does not.[32]

Response to evil clowns in media

In 2014, Clowns of America International responded to the depiction of Twisty on American Horror Story, and evil clowns in media generally. President Glenn Kohlberger said, "Hollywood makes money sensationalizing the norm. They can take any situation no matter how good or pure and turn it into a nightmare. ... We do not support in any way, shape or form any medium that sensationalizes or adds to coulrophobia or 'clown fear.Template:'"[33]

In 2025, British post punk band Half Man Half Biscuit released a single mocking evil clowns and people's fear of them entitled "Horror Clowns are Dickheads".[34]

Depictions

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The Joker character in the Batman franchise was introduced in 1940 and has developed into one of the most recognizable and iconic fictional characters in popular culture, leading Wizard magazine's "100 Greatest Villains of All Time" ranking in 2006.[35] The contemporary "evil clown" archetype developed in the 1980s, notably popularized by Pennywise from Stephen King's It, and perhaps influenced by John Wayne Gacy, a serial killer dubbed the Killer Clown in 1978. Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a 1988 horror comedy dedicated to the topic.[36] Although Krusty the Clown, a cartoon character introduced 1989 in the animated sitcom The Simpsons, is a comical, non-scary clown, the character reveals darker aspects in his personality. In The Simpsons episode "Lisa's First Word" (1992), children's fear of clowns features in the form of a very young Bart being traumatized by an inexpertly built Krusty the Clown themed bed, repeatedly uttering the phrase "can't sleep, clown will eat me...." The phrase inspired an Alice Cooper song in the album Dragontown (2001)[37] and became a popular catchphrase.[38] Evil clowns are also mentioned in a popular song by P!nk.[39]

The American rap duo Insane Clown Posse have exploited this theme since 1989 and have inspired Twiztid and similar acts, many on Psychopathic Records, to do likewise. Websites dedicated to evil clowns and the fear of clowns appeared in the late 1990s.[40]

Gallery

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Clowns Template:Horror fiction Template:Stock characters

  1. ↑ Poe, Edgar Allan, "Hop-Frog" (1849)
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Thomas M. Kitts and Nick Baxter-Moore (eds.) The Routledge Companion to Popular Music and Humor, Chapter 6. 2019, Routledge Template:ISBN
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ The term is listed by the Online Etymology Dictionary (Template:OEtymD) with the caveat that it "looks suspiciously like the sort of thing idle pseudo-intellectuals invent on the Internet and which every smarty-pants takes up thereafter". The prefix coulro- is "said to be built from Greek kolon 'limb,' with some supposed sense of 'stilt-walker,' hence 'clownTemplate:'" (i.e. Greek Script error: No such module "Lang". kolobathristes "stilt-walker"). Probably coined no earlier than the late 1980s but no later than the 1990s, the term "has been coined more on the Internet than in printed form because it does not appear in any previously published, psychiatric, unabridged, or abridged dictionary." (Robertson 2003:62) The Oxford Dictionary of English adopted the term in 2010, also deriving it from kolobatheron "stilt" (Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".)
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