Today is the birthday of the great American clown, Red Skelton. Inspired by another great American clown, Mr. Ed Wynn who met Red when he was appearing in Red's home town. Red was ten years old at the time and Ed was buying a paper from him. "What's there to do in this town?" asked the great "Fire Chief". Red answered "The great Ed Wynn is appearing at the theatre across the street." Ed asked young Red if he were going to see the show and the impoverished young boy shook his head and told Wynn that he just couldn't afford to. Ed Wynn bought all of the ten year old's newspapers so that Red could attend the vaudeville show that Ed was starring in that night. Ed showed the boy all around the theatre and let him peek out at the audience through the curtains. Well, that hooked the young boy and all throughout his life Red Skelton credited Wynn for his decision to become a performer! What an amazing turn of good luck-- for both Red and the rest of the world! Red literally ran away to be a performer at the tender age of fifteen and has delighted all of us with some of the craziest and endearing characters of all time. I loved watching this great man's television programs on CBS. Who can forget Klem Kiddlehopper, George Appleby, Junior, the " Mean Widdle Kid," and Sheriff Deadeye. I loved his monologues and especially the two great pigeons "Gertrude and Heathcliff" that Red featured in so many of his monologues. Believe it or not, the great Johnny Carson (early in his career) used to write for the great clown including those pigeon jokes. Red was one of the few guys who could laugh at his own material and get away with it.I think watching red Skelton doing a pantomine was pure joy-- nobody in my humble opinion could match the genius that he displayed in those. His amazing clown paintings are simnply astounding and this dear, gentle and God-loving man made a huge impact in my life. He passed from this life in 1997, but he will NEVER be forgotten by me. I could write volumes about this kind, loving and incredibly generous entertainer. I'm sure he puts a smile on God's face every single day in heaven-- without one doubt!