Lou Jacobs Clown Car 1987

This home video was shot on my (Kevin Starr) camera by Dick Van Dyke while we were filming the Clown College 20th Anniversary CBS TV special in 1987. This was for a special Alumni show and this is the first internet release to my knowledge.
I spoke with Dolly, Lous daughter in Sept. 2008 and she confirmed this was the last time he performed this bit. He was 84 at the time and still well over 6 feet tall; he got into this car and was able to drive it into the ring he was a contortionist as well as one of the most famous clowns ever to work on Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus. He did this routine in the 1952 movie The Greatest Show On Earth also starring James Stewart, Charlton Heston and many circus performers from back in the day.
Enjoy, go with a smile Kevin Starr

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Lou
• Jacobs
• Clown
• Car
• Ringling
• Bros
• Circus
• Dick
• Van
• Dyke
• College

[papalovesmema]

Lou was one of my favorite cousins growing up. I always enjoyed going to visit him backstage and on his train car. I actually got to wear his coat! I was a lot younger than him, but he treated me like an adult. He was just a very nice decent man...I sure miss him and Knucklehead!

[H8Bozos]

LOL, I had Lou as Instructor so I got a lot of (put his accent in your mind) "Vhers the funny?" And "you gots to put your whole body in it."

I have more video of him I will post soon.

Thanks Kevin

[H8Bozos]

Hi all, Kevin here the start of the video is Dick Van Dyke learning to use my camera so sit tight, or fast forward to 1:33 to see Lou!

Go with a smile Kevin Starr

[drmoonrat]

This is some wonderful footage. Practically priceless. Thank you for posting it.

[yogibeertje2]

Thank you for posting this VERY SPECIAL VIDEO.

And thanks to Dick Van Dyke for being the cineast.

The best comment to the video is the story you wrote down yourself (after clicking on "more info").

So keep the original video in a safe.

It is a gem and a MUST-SEE for every circus-lover.

For me the rating is FIVE STARS.

[stevemeinecke]

i was 10 1987 wen i one of the great master clowns of his time



[MissCat1958]

@H8Bozos Hey, Kevin, How is everything? Would love you see you guys soon! Give us a call or hit us up on FB!! Time for a BBQ!!

~Nan~

[JoeRDough]

My family has the whole special recorded off the TV. It's still one of my favorite things to watch. This video is just that much more awesome for me.

[GunShade]

You know what, the show is awsome in clown college since 1968. Remember what Lou Jacobs has a car in the 1950s?

[ariels36]

They both appear in Cecil B. DeMille's movie "The Greatest Show on Earth" not performing together but you will see Lou's act plus some of Emmett's stuff.

[papalovesmema]

Lou told me once that he and Emmett had both been in Ring Bros back before THE WAR, but Emmett got tired of the traveling. Lou was always with the circus, that was his stage.

[rbbbrandy]

Unbelievable.....such a great gag, and a great video. Thanks so much for posting.

[funeralman04]

Please post more! It's awesome!

[itamhoe]

did Lou Jacobs shared anytime stage with Emmett Kelly?