Leon McBride –  2016 W.C.A. Legacy of Laughter Honoree

Leon McBride was always dreaming of being a clown. As a teen he never told anyone about his lifelong ambition, so he surprised a lot of people when he gave up his press relations job in 1969 to go to the Ringling Clown College. How did he even consider running away with the circus? He was working on some advertising for Coco the Clown and after meeting Coco, the professional clown encouraged Leon to go to Venice, Florida for Clown College and its rigorous studies in juggling, skits, acrobatics, comedy and makeup.

After 5 weeks of intense lessons the day of reckoning arrived.  Out of the class of 35 only three would continue and Leon was one of them! In his first year on the show around 1970 while on the road he was interviewed by the Toledo Blade. Leon said, “You have to love people and your work, and be a good actor at the same time.” Clowns wear big smiles,” but Leon pointed out, “Clowns aren’t always happy, you know.” He continued, “As far as I’m concerned, I won’t be a clown for another 5 years, although I’ve already spent a year doing this.”

He rose in the ranks of Ringling and after one year as a working clown on the Blue Unit, he was selected to represent them as the Good Will Ambassador. This job involves going ahead of the circus and making appearances on TV and at Malls, schools, hospitals and other events to promote the big show. This also involved making many appearances during the time the circus was in town.

Leon also became a valued part of the Ringling Clown College Staff in Florida and trained many aspiring Ringling Clowns.

Leon’s dedication to the art of clowning brought smiles and laughter to children of all ages for many years. Leon feels that children see clowns in the same way as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. “They are all myths to children.”

In 1978, Leon McBride founded the Fantasy Factory, Ltd. This was a multi-faceted corporation; through which he has developed television shows for children.

For nine years Leon McBride appeared on WCFC-TV in Chicago on the children’s show, Toddler’s Friends as his unique clown “Buttons”. He created, wrote and produced over 100 segments for this show, which are still being enjoyed throughout the world. In 1985, “Toddlers Friends”, was the recipient of an Angel Award. This writer has seen this TV show and it is a very high quality program. Leon’s sweet clown persona was a wonderful part of the show.

In 1980 and 1983, Mr. McBride produced educational shows for the McDonald’s corporation. These were “Ronald McDonald School Safety Show” and “The Big Red Shoe Review”.

In 1987 he started the ProKNOWS clown nose business which produces a wide variety of shapes colors and styles of high quality noses. In 1996 Leon introduced his ProFACE makeup line for professional clowns. Today, Mr. McBride and his staff are on the cutting edge of technology and modern materials, developing new products for both professional and amateur clowns alike.

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From 1984-1991 Leon shared his wonderful talent and skill as an instructor and performer at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse Clown Camp.

Reaching out with Clowning

Leon had a dream for a while that was finally realized in 1990. He wanted a team of entertainers to go into areas struck by natural and economic disasters to share laughter and help reduce stress of those people in these difficult situations. The first of many programs happened n Galveston, Texas and so was the birth of “Let the Laughter Loose.”

April 1990, Mr. McBride’s was given the high honor for his achievement when he was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center in Delavan, Wisconsin.

Leon’s love of clowning brought him to a point of becoming a teacher and mentor to thousands of clowns at conventions and lectures for clown groups throughout the world.  He started the Advanced Studies Clown School for the many entertainers who wanted to take their clowning to the next level.  He brought in top notch instructors and intended his school to be a place for a deeper study of the clown art. 1992 through 1999 Leon ran his Advanced Studies in the Performance Art Of Clowning.

When not on the road, Mr. McBride can be found at his home near Roanoke, VA on the James River, with his wife, Linda (creator of the Dept. of Clown Registry egg collection). They have two sons, Casey, a mechanical engineer, and Adam, who does computer graphics and Multi-Media presentations.

• Written by: Norm B.  2016  WCA Marketing Director – Magician-Minneapolis.com

 

Leon McBride Receives Legacy of Laughter Award at Orlando Convention                           

Leon McBride was awarded the World Clown Association Legacy of Laughter Award by our President Randy Christensen at the Orlando Convention in a surprise ceremony.

Leon was our extra bonus speaker on the first night of the convention. At the end of Mr. McBride’s wonderful talk he was presented with this special tribute.  The crowd loved his heartfelt speech on his life of clowning, but it brought the house down when this very special recognition was presented to him.

Leon McBride – World Traveling Circus Great, Santa and True Gentleman

It was a wonderful opportunity for our convention attendees to meet the one and only Leon McBride. The audience was thrilled with his life’s story. This world traveled Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Clown brought his wit and wisdom to the attendees in Orlando with a very special presentation. Leon had a wonderful lifetime of experiences to share with our convention goers.

Comedy and Clowning

In an earlier interview Leon spoke about Comedy and Clowning.

Leon says, “The clowning we do is based on psychology. We get laughs by invoking the big three – Stupidity, Mockery or the Element of Surprise. These things can bring comedy based on what appeals to the audience. We analyze our audience and see where they respond best.” Then we adapt to bring the audience what makes them laugh more.

In clowning Leon says that we mock ourselves to get a laugh. “We are not making fun of someone else or making fun of them, we are after clean fun.” Element of surprise is the comic process of taking someone down a path and they think they know the outcome of the situation, and then we give them a completely different ending. The surprise gets the laugh. “So they laugh because their mind is expecting a certain ending and they then think ‘why didn’t I think of that?’ and laughter results.”

“My Auguste clown in the circus played it a bit stupid.” People laughed because they saw that he was about to make a big mistake and sure enough he did.  “Kids like it because they like to be smarter than the clown.” It is funny to them.  “The child has a sense of euphoria because he knew what was going to happen before the clown made the mistake.”

To make someone laugh is a great joy to Leon.  “Our comedy is more sophisticated today… God has made us all different in the way we see things as funny.”

Leon likes to make his audience feel comfortable and have a positive experience. “Maybe there is someone in the audience who has big feet and is embarrassed or there is someone who thinks they are having a bad hair day. Then I come into the circus ring with my huge feet and crazy wig and they think I am funny and that gives them a bit of relief and they laugh. Whatever you need from me to make your day better, I am here to serve.”

Leon says, “When I step into the circus ring, I am on my play ground. I would love to have fun with everyone.  I am inviting the audience into my world, come and play, come and have fun, come and laugh. What a God given talent that is.”

Don’t miss the next W.C.A. convention! Register now at WorlddClown.com

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• By: Norm B. – W.C.A. Marketing Director – ComedyNorm.wordpress.com