Vincennes in Knox County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"One of America's Clowns"
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Red Skelton
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 23, 2021
1. "One of America's Clowns" Marker
"One of America's Clowns"
Comedian Richard "Red" Skelton was born here in 1913. As a teenager, performed locally in minstrel shows and as a clown in circus. By 1930s he performed on vaudeville stages; became famous for skits such as "dunking donuts," MGM signed Skelton to a film contract in 1940, advancing his comedy career. He solidified fame in 1941 with debut of his national NBC radio show.
Red Skelton
During WWII, Skelton served in the U.S. Army and performed numerous comedy shows for troops. In 1951, he helped popularize television with The Red Skelton Show, which aired for 20 years and won multiple Emmy Awards. Skelton was remembered for on-screen characters like Freddie the Freeloader and for his iconic interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance. He died 1997.
Erected 2017 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Red Skelton Museum Foundation, Inc. (Marker Number 42.2017.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 38° 41.486′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Indiana’s Tri-State Region, in Southern Indiana, and in the Wabash Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hack & Simon Brewery Office (approx. half a mile away); John Badollet (approx. half a mile away); Vincennes University (approx. 0.6 miles away); Samuel Thornton Scott (1777 - 1827 ) (approx. 0.6 miles away); William Henry Harrison & Lewis & Clark Expedition (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sarah Knox Taylor (approx. 0.6 miles
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 23, 2021
2. Red Skelton Marker
Also see . . . Red Skelton on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 25, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Shane Oliver, July 23, 2021
3. Red Skelton Birthplace House
The house is currently owned by Vincennes University and not open to the public.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 23, 2021
4. Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy
Located 650 feet from the house, across the street at Vincennes University.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,149 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on July 25, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
