Deebo - 1997 El Riad Clown of the Year
TRAMP/HOBO CLOWN
The TRAMP/HOBO character is the only true North American clown. This character
grew out of the tramps/hobos who rode the freight trains across the country
looking for work. Although the TRAMP and HOBO clown is considered a single category,
each is unique. The main differences between these subcategories lies in the areas of
attitudes and costumes.
- The TRAMP believes the world owes him a living; that his condition is caused by others.
He wants (and expects) everybody to feel sorry for him. He does everything in his power to
avoid work. This shaggy vagabond is the individual for whom nothing ever goes right. His
face and neck are colored to make them appear dirty and unshaven. Red is added to the beard line
to make the face appear sunburned, and the mouth and eyes are white where the tramp has wiped away
the dirt with his hands. The eyebrows should be small and worried looking. He may have a drop of glycerine
or similar material to make a tear running down the side of his face. His expression is usually SAD and/or
SOULFUL. Many times tramps use their own hair which has been ratted up to look shaggy. If a wig is used, it
should be one of the darker, duller shades. The TRAMP is ragged but clean. His costume is usually a two or
three piece suit which is extremely worn and ragged. The rips and tears may be left open, patched (with ragged patches-
not neat iron ons), or pinned together with large safety-pins. The color is usually black or other dark color, but may be
brown, grey, or tan. The vest, if one is worn, may be a dark mismatch. The shirt can consist of a worn and full of holes
red 'long handles' or a worn out regular or work shirt. The color of the shirt should be something other than white. The
necktie should NOT be flashy. It should be a regular tie that is worn out. A clothespin, a mousetrap, or other article
might be used as a tie clasp. A rope might be used for a belt or suspenders.
- The HOBO wants to be a HOBO; he may be down but he certainly is not out. He often appears to be HAPPY. A HOBO usually will
not ask for a 'handout', preferring to work for it. He will take a job-but usually not for long because he wants to move along to
someplace else. His face is much like the tramp's make-up except in the expression. He is apt to smile, and his eyes generally appear
larger, more wide awake, open, and HAPPY looking than the tramp's eyes. His costume is quite similar to the tramp's, but may contain
brighter colors in various parts. His vest is likely to be a bright color, as are many of his patches. His shoes should be the same
as the tramp's. The TRAMP/HOBO category is the only category in which the use of any kind of color gloves, gloves with holes, gloves with
fingers cut off,or the complete absence of gloves is permitted. However, if gloves are used, they should be CLEAN but APPEAR DIRTY, STAINED, and
WORN. The overall effect of make-up, costuming, and performance must compliment the character portrayed.
- Famous tramp/hobo clowns include Emmett Kelly,Sr., Red Skelton, and Otto Griebling.
- Much of the above information was from a CLOWN ALLEY article by Bill "Billy" Lozon.
- Plain text version
Last updated July 3, 2001
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