Joseph Grimaldi
Joseph Grimaldi (1779-1837), British clown. The son of an Italian actor, he first performed at the age of two as a child dancer at Sadler’s Wells. He later transformed the traditional role of the clown, inventing many new jokes. A performer of the greatest skill, he was at once a singer, acrobat dancer, actor, and pantomimist. The clown has been called ‘Joey’ in his honour ever since.
