First appearing in 1963, there have been hundreds of different people to don the McDonald’s make-up over the years. Appearing in commercials and in-store appearances, Ronald has featured in advertising for McDonald’s across the globe. Despite an estimated 95% of Americans being able to identify who he is, Ronald remains a divisive character. A 2011 report by the Wall Street Journal ranked him 2,109 out of 2,800 celebrities with consumer likability. It seems not everyone is loving it.

2. Emmett Kelly

What’s My Line?/YouTube

Emmett Kelly was an American circus performer famous for playing the character, Weary Willie. He was based upon the hobos of the Great Depression, and unlike your typical smiling clown, he always seemed to have a sad face. He wore shabby clothes and shuffled about when performing, imitating the downtrodden who suffered during the late 20s and early 30s of American history. 

Kelly became a huge hit as people could relate to his Weary Willie character. He performed with some of the most well-known circus acts in the world, including the Ringling Brother circus, and went on to star in The Greatest Show on Earth, which won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1952.

At the time of his death in 1979 at the age of 80, he was the most famous clown in the world, 

3. Krusty the Clown

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Everybody’s favorite animated clown, Krusty the Clown is one of the supporting characters of The Simpsons. Inspired by a variety of real-life clowns, Krusty is a hard-drinking, cigarette smoking, gambling addict who appears to care little for the craft of clowning. 

Born Herschel Schmoeckel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky, Krusty is always getting into trouble in The Simpsons, be that cheating on his taxes, owing money to the mob, or selling dodgy merchandise. He is often sad and depressed when off-camera and only appears happy when performing.