Circus World’s Felix Adler

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Circus World Felix Adler, Frank Bartlet Adler, was born in Clinton, IA on June 17, 1895. He left home at age 15 to work in vaudeville acts.

Adler began working with the Ringling Bros. Circus assisting a group of acrobats. Adler left the show during World War I to serve in the United States Army. He returned to Ringling Bros. at the end of the war. Felix then developed his distinctive appearance which set him apart from other clowns and performers.

Adler’s clown whiteface “grotesque” makeup was one of these attributes that made him most recognizable and earned his image to appear on posters, postcards, paintings, figurines and collectible dinner plates.

Felix acquired the moniker, “The White House Clown” due to his many appearances for U.S. Presidents, their children and grandchildren. Adler performed for Presidents: Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1943 Felix was invited to F.D.Rs 61st birthday party in recognition of his visits to children’s hospitals.