Novelty Acts

Smacky the Children's Clown and LadiClown

Available for

Parties, parades, clown demonstrations, school appearances, Santa Claus and Easter Bunny appearances, and all occasions that would be enhanced by a clown

Act includes

Face painting, balloon crafting, children's games, a capella singing

Awards

Keystone Clowns First Clownitarian Award, Caring and Sharing Program Award, Mid-Atlantic Clowns Chaplain's Award

Biography

Smacky has been clowning around for nearly 30 years. But he’s been bringing laughter and his positive message into people’s lives for much longer than that.

Smacky’s career as a children’s clown is a natural extension of his personality. Prior to becoming a clown, he was a Big Brother, a little league coach, a counselor for the Sons of the VFW, and a member of the Sea Scouts -- all positions that involved working with children, mentoring, and giving something back to the community. In his 25-year career as a clown, those are his favorite parts of the job.

How does one get started in a career as a clown? For Smacky, he found his calling almost by accident. He was on the diving board at a swimming pool in Carrick, a section of Pittsburgh, performing his own unique combination of jokes and dives.

"I was just doing my sillies," he said. "Sillies" is Smacky’s affectionate way of referring to the things he does to bring laughter to his audience. As it turned out, the head lifeguard was in the process of planning a water show when he saw the diver’s performance. He mentioned that he was looking for a clown. "I think I’ve already got one," the guard said to the diver. "You’re drawing a crowd every time you’re up there."

By the end of the water show, he had been booked as a clown at two birthday parties. A career was born.

There was still the matter of a clown name, however. The new clown -- who had been a boxer, wrestler, a teacher of self-defense, and a health club instructor -- was christened Smacky by his brother, Bill.

The rest is history, as Smacky has gone on to become one of the tri-state area’s most popular clowns. He is the recipient of three distinguished awards in his field. Smacky has received the Keystone Clowns First Clownitarian Award, the Caring and Sharing Program Award, and the Mid-Atlantic Clowns Chaplain’s Award.

Smacky is available through Talent Artist Enterprises for any event that would be enhanced by the addition of a clown, from parties to parades, and from picnics to promotions. His repertoire includes balloons that he crafts into dogs, and his very own invisible dog, King, is usually by his side. He does face painting using washable clown makeup, plays games with the children, and gives out small prizes. Smacky is willing to take audience requests into consideration when planning his act for an event, but stresses that adult stand-up comedy isn’t part of his performance. "Clowns are for kids, comedians are for adults," he says.

Smacky has a genuine care for the children he meets and their parents, talking to them about the importance of positive behavior and getting along with one another. Smacky has done appearances at schools to speak to children, and is also available for clown demonstrations, where he transforms himself into Smacky the Children’s Clown in front of his audience.

Smacky has a unique, a capella singing style. He hopes to eventually incorporate his singing into his act, becoming Smacky the Singing Clown.

Smacky’s talents also include portraying Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Once, when working as Santa in a Pittsburgh-area mall, Smacky surprised a youngster by showing that Santa really did know if he had been bad or good.

Little Billy had heard Santa giving good-behavior pointers to the child ahead of him. Santa had told the child that he would be watching to see if he brushed his teeth, cleaned up his room, and behaved for his parents. When Billy sat on Santa’s lap, he told Santa that his brother had neglected to do all of those things.

Santa caught a glimpse of Billy’s mother, pointing at Billy to indicate that he -- not his brother -- was responsible for the bad behavior. Santa told Billy, "You know, I was past your house the other night. I saw that it wasn’t your brother who was doing those things -- it was you."
"Oh," said a surprised Billy. "There goes my bike, huh?"

What’s the most rewarding part of being a clown? Smacky says he most enjoys "watching the children smile, laugh, and have a good time." Some of his most heartening, special moments have come with physically challenged and hospitalized children.

Sometimes there’s a decidedly unfunny side to being a clown. Smacky has been slapped, kicked, bitten, harassed, and threatened during his career. Despite this, Smacky says, he will never quit his profession.

"God gave me the ability to do what I do," he said. "And I’ll go till I drop."

He recalls the words of his sister Millie. "We need people like you," Millie once said to her talented brother. "People need to laugh."

Speedy Delivery!

Smacky and LadiClown recently teamed up with Mr. McFeely - the beloved mailman from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood - at the V.A. Hospital in Pittsburgh's Oakland section to brighten the days of the patients there.

Going from room to room, Mr. McFeely presented each patient with a Valentine and his trademark phrase, "Speedy delivery!" As they left the room, Smacky countered with, "Speedy recovery!"

"Once you meet Mr. McFeely, you'll never forget him," Smacky said. "I've learned a lot from him! Like me and Ladi, he has devoted his life to making people, especially children, smile and being a positive influence in their lives." And the feeling was mutual, as Mr. McFeely followed up with a Speedy Delivery just for Smacky and LadiClown.

Talent Artist Enterprises is fully licensed and bonded by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.