Red Skelton!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we are looking into the history of the late and great comedy icon, Red Skelton on his birthday! I was even lucky enough to ask a couple of questions to the curator of the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy; Mark Kratzner and Red Skelton’s widow, Lothian T. Skelton!

Red Skelton, born in Vincennes, Indiana, in 1913, grew up the son of a circus clown he never met; his father died before he was born. That circus spirit stayed with him, and by his teens he was performing in medicine shows and vaudeville. He went on to star in MGM films like “Whistling in the Dark” and “Bathing Beauty”, but his biggest stage was television. “The Red Skelton Show” ran for two decades, earning him Emmy Awards and a place as one of America’s most recognizable comedians.

Skelton’s humor was warm, physical, and family-friendly. He gave the world characters like Clem Kadiddlehopper, Freddie the Freeloader, and Junior the Mean Widdle Kid; each silly but lovable in their own way. He was also famous for his sign-off line: “Good night and may God bless.” Offstage, Skelton was a prolific painter, producing thousands of clown portraits that remain highly valued by collectors.

Some fun facts: he sold newspapers as a kid and once ended up performing on a train after making passengers laugh. He entertained troops during World War II and later became one of the first TV stars to broadcast in color. Despite decades in comedy, he avoided off-color jokes, saying laughter should make people feel better, not worse. He died in 1997 at age 84, remembered as much for his kindness as for his comedy.

Vincennes keeps his legacy alive at the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, which features costumes, props, and interactive exhibits that bring his characters back to life. Visitors can even step into a mock TV set to experience what it was like to be part of his classic show. The museum highlights how Skelton shaped American entertainment, proving that sometimes the simplest jokes; and the biggest hearts; leave the longest legacy.

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: How did Red Skelton’s Vaudeville roots shape his comedy style?

Mark Kratzner: He started as insult comic. He changed to making everyday behavior funny in 1934 (Dunking Donuts, Walking up Stairs, Putting on Make-Up, Driving and more.)

Giancarlo: What is the most important thing most people don’t know about Red Skelton?

Mark Kratzner: That he tried to make people laugh to his death. He had a sold out concerts and events up to 1995. He died in 1997. Some think he disappeared after TV.

Giancarlo: How did Skelton’s personal life influence his work and characters?

Mark Kratzner: His 2nd wife was an artist and got him into painting. His 3rd wife was also an artist and was involved with art shows. His characters were kind. Some were greedy and did naughty things but never mean.

Giancarlo: How did his work during WW2 effect his career and public image?

Mark Kratzner: He did what he could to help the troops. His Junior phrase “I Dood It” motivated people to donate money and items to the troops.

Giancarlo: Which part of Red’s legacy means the most to you?

Lothian T. Skelton: Making people happy and lifting their spirits!

Piece of Advice: 

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Lothian T. Skelton: From R.S, “A smile will get you everywhere, a frown gets you nowhere.”

Museum: https://www.redskeltonmuseum.org/#visit

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo