Russell Scott
Russell Scott | |
|---|---|
 Scott in 2005 | |
| Born | June 30, 1921 Enid, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | August 27, 2012 (aged 91) Morrison, Colorado, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Blinky the Clown |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainer, Television personality. |
| Known for | Blinky's Fun Club |
| Spouse | Gwenna Scott |
| Children | 3 |
Blinky the Clown (June 30, 1921 – August 27, 2012), also known as Russell Scott, and simply Clown, was an American clown, television personality and presenter who starred in a Denver, Colorado television program called Blinky's Fun Club. Having spent 41 years on television in character, Scott holds the record as longest-running television clown in history, as well as the longest running children's television host in the United States.[1]
Entertainment career
Born in Oklahoma, Russell Scott inherited his love of the circus from his father and began his entertainment career as Sears-O the Clown, performing in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[2] Changing his character's name to Blinky, his success brought him to the attention of television station KKTV. Blinky's Fun Club began in 1958, originating from the KKTV studios. In 1966, the show moved to KWGN in Denver and remained there until ending its run in 1998.[3] Scott performed in more than 10,000 episodes, giving him the longest career of any children's TV personality in the U.S. and second longest in the entire world.[4]
In 2004, he was inducted into The Silver Circle of the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.[5] In 2005, he was inducted into the Broadcast Professionals of Colorado's Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.[2][6] In 2006, he was the subject of a documentary titled Blinky, produced and directed by Brian Malone.[7][8]
After his television career ended, Scott owned and operated a store called Blinky's Antiques and Collectibles on South Broadway in Denver, Colorado.[9] After 22 years, the shop closed in 2008.[10]
Scott died on August 27, 2012, at the Bear Creek Nursing Center[4] in Morrison, Colorado, from complications of pneumonia. He was 91 years old.[1][11]
References
- ^ a b "'Blinky the Clown' passes away". KUSA.com. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
- ^ a b "Russell Scott "Blinky the Clown"". Broadcast Professionals Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013.
- ^ "Bringing Back Blinky | History Colorado". www.historycolorado.org. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ a b "Russell Scott, 'Blinky the Clown,' dies". August 27, 2012.
- ^ "Heartland Chapter Silver Circle - Russell Scott". National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
- ^ Post, Dick Kreck | The Denver (2005-05-16). "No joking, Colorado broadcast hall inducts a clown". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ "Best TV Documentary 2005". Westword. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ Roberts, Julie Dunn, Susan Froyd, Michael. "Tears of a Clown". Westword. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "NATAS Heartland Silver Circle - Russell Scott". Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.
- ^ Post, Tom McGhee | Special to The Denver (November 12, 2008). "Blinky's Antiques closes its doors".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Obituary for Russell G. 'Blinky the Clown' Scott". Drinkwine Family Mortuary. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
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