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May 25, 2012

Clarabell The Clown dead at 84

by Bob Sassone, posted May 20th 2006 10:59AM

Buffalo Bob Smith, Howdy, and ClarabellActor and bandleader Lew Anderson, who played Clarabell The Clown on the classic Howdy Doody Show, died earlier this week in Hawthorne, NY.

It's interesting to note that Anderson wasn't the first or second Clarabell on the show, he was actually the third. But he might be the most memorable (even if Bob Keeshan - Captain Kangaroo to you and me - was the first) because he not only lasted the longest (1954 to 1960), but he was the one behind the makeup when Clarabell spoke for the first time, uttering the show's last words "Goodbye kids." Wow, that must have pushed a lot of kids over the edge, bawling their eyes out.

Anderson was also a musician and bandleader.

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Lee Easton, Jr.

It makes me sad to know that Clarabelle has gone on to the big circus in the sky. I loved him and his honky horn on "Howdy Doody Time". I used to sing along when everyone sang the opening song. That was so long ago....... I still remember all the words.

May 20 2006 at 3:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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