Love them or hate them, clowns are ever-present in today’s society. Whether you’re watching a movie, visiting a circus, or attending your little cousin’s birthday, you’ll likely encounter a clown. Pop culture has led to an array of famous clowns appearing in all forms of media.

These red-nosed clowns range from cool characters like The Joker to creepy child-eating creatures like Pennywise from the Stephen King hit novel It. For people who suffer from coulrophobia (fear of clowns), it’s a nightmare, but for the rest of us, clowns are a strange marvel that are hard to look away from. 

Clowns have been around for centuries. The word itself comes from the Icelandic word “klunni” which means “a clumsy person.” The first clowns are believed to have originated in Egypt during 2400 BC. They then appeared in Greek and Ancient Roman cultures as pranksters with make-up on their faces. They were always meant as entertainment, which is why they feature in circuses. But over the last couple of decades, clowns have become horrifying creations that creep most people out.

Serial killer John Wayne Gacy, Pennywise, clown-themed horror movies, and the unusual rash of clown sightings in 2016 have all turned clowns from fun-loving jokesters to terrifying monsters that can’t be trusted. 

Here is a look at some of the most famous clowns of all time. 

14 Famous Clowns: From Cool To Creepy

1. Ronald McDonald

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Easily the most recognizable clown in the world, Ronald McDonald is the mascot for the fast-food chain McDonald’s. Decked out in his familiar yellow jumpsuit over a red and white striped jumper and pants combination, Ronald also has bright red hair and lips. While he is meant to be friendly and approachable, he does look a little creepy.