The Master of Laughter

Everyone could use a good laugh. No one personified this better than Vincennes’ very own Richard “Red” Skelton. A multi-talented and prolific comedic artist, Red brought joy and laughter to people of all ages across a seven decade career, spanning from vaudeville, radio, film, television to his famous paintings and lithographs.

Recently I was able to take a tour of The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy which celebrates the life, career and legacy of the legendary Red Skelton. For me, it was like stepping back in time. I have cherished memories as a young girl sitting on my Dad’s lap and watching The Red Skelton Show. As I walked through the interactive exhibits and saw the original costumes and props that are dedicated to his beloved characters such as “Freddie the Freeloader” and “Clem Kadiddlehopper” it was definitely a trip down memory lane.

Coming from humble beginnings, Red was born in Vincennes, Indiana on July 18, 1913. He left Harrison School when he was 10 years old to join Doc Lewis’s traveling medicine show in an effort to earn a bit of money. During this time the mentorship of Father Henry Doll proved to be a major influence in his life. Red would continue to visit him whenever he returned to the Vincennes area. Another key figure of this time was vaudeville legend Ed Wynn, whom Red met outside the Pantheon Theater while selling newspapers. Wynn approached Red and bought all of his newspapers so the young lad could take the night off. He then invited him inside the theater and took him backstage to meet the cast. Red was able to watch the performance from behind the curtain and it was this defining moment that led him to declare that he wanted to make people laugh for a living.

In 1934 at the age of 21, Red began performing on the mainstream vaudeville circuit. He and his wife, Edna Stillwell debuted their iconic “Doughnut Dunkers” comedy routine. This act propelled him to fame and launched his radio and film career. Red frequently credited Edna for his success. One of his famous quotes was, “If it weren’t for my wife Edna, I would be a bum.”

The Red Skelton Show was a highly popular television comedy and variety series that premiered on NBC in 1951 and then later moved to CBS. With its featured pantomimes,

musical performances and comedic routines, it brought laughter to households across America for 20 years. The show combined broad slapstick humor with emotional warmth. It proved to be an incredible success airing over 600 episodes and winning three Emmy Awards.

Also a talented visual artist, Red created hundreds of original pieces throughout his life. Initially painting simply as a hobby, he eventually decided to publicly display his work at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in 1964. These paintings proved to be so well received that he expanded into selling mass-produced prints. Experts have estimated that he made more money from his paintings than he did as a professional entertainer. No matter the medium though, he left a lasting and timeless mark on American entertainment. In the words of Red, “Good night and may God bless”.