Posted on: August 26, 2025, 05:25h.
Last updated on: August 26, 2025, 05:43h.
On a street where Elvis impersonators wander and pirates once clashed, certain elements of American culture take a backseat.
While Las Vegas isn’t primarily known as a clown haven, a few notable characters, including casino mascots and genuine circus entertainers, found their place in the city’s heart.
1. Lucky the Clown, Circus Circus Sign
This iconic neon figure has welcomed visitors to Circus Circus since 1976, designed by YESCO to enhance the carnival theme of the casino. Standing at 123 feet above the Strip, Lucky has become a recognizable landmark featured in many Hollywood scenes.
2. Jocko the Clown, Boardwalk Casino Sign
Jocko, representing the Boardwalk Casino from 1988 to 2006, provided a unique seaside amusement park aesthetic until the casino was demolished to make way for CityCenter. Although not preserved at the Neon Museum, Jocko remains collectible through silver strike tokens from the 1990s.
3. Blinko the Clown, Circus Circus Performer
Ernie Burch, famously known as Blinko the Clown, left a remarkable mark on American entertainment by merging traditional circus performance with the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip. He gained fame through his expressive performance style, eventually becoming the clown ambassador for Circus Circus in the late 1970s.
4 & 5. Wayne Hronek & Brian Dewhurst, the Old Clown in “Mystère”
Wayne Hronek was instrumental in establishing the clown character for Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystère” upon its opening in Las Vegas in 1993. His portrayal not only provided comic relief but also was pivotal in weaving emotional depth into the performance. Brian Dewhurst later took over the role, giving it a profound exploration of aging and joy, and notably performed until the age of 89 in 2022.
6. Mr. Whimsy, Painting
Mr. Whimsy, of the hobo clown genre, was a prominent painting by Julian Ritter displayed at the Silver Slipper for three decades, creating an inviting atmosphere for guests. Painted in 1968, the piece encapsulated the theatricality and allure of the casino, which Howard Hughes admired so much that he purchased the property. Recently, Mr. Whimsy was put up for sale by collector Greg Autry.
