Entertainer. Otto Griebling came to this country at the young age of fourteen. Otto began his early circus career as a bareback comedy rider with a circus in Baraboo Wisconsin. Much of Griebling's career was spent with the Sells Floto and Ringling Brother's circuses. Griebling would end up becoming a tramp or hobo clown. Most of his performing was done silent or in pantomime. This routine would work well for him, since in 1970 Otto had his larynx removed. Otto Griebling spent many years working tirelessly teaching his craft at the Ringling Brother's Clown College in Venice Florida. Otto's career came to an end in April 1972. He died tragically of throat cancer, at Saint Clare's hospital in New York city. In 1989 Otto Griebling was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame, along with fellow inductees Felix Adler, Emmett Kelly Sr., Mark "Tony" Anthony, Lou Jacobs, and Red Skelton. Otto Griebling will live on in the hearts of all those who love clowns and circuses. Special thanks to Kristen Autobee, Asst. Curator for Circus Museum at the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art. Ms. Autobee aided me in a one year search for Otto Griebling's grave.
Entertainer. Otto Griebling came to this country at the young age of fourteen. Otto began his early circus career as a bareback comedy rider with a circus in Baraboo Wisconsin. Much of Griebling's career was spent with the Sells Floto and Ringling Brother's circuses. Griebling would end up becoming a tramp or hobo clown. Most of his performing was done silent or in pantomime. This routine would work well for him, since in 1970 Otto had his larynx removed. Otto Griebling spent many years working tirelessly teaching his craft at the Ringling Brother's Clown College in Venice Florida. Otto's career came to an end in April 1972. He died tragically of throat cancer, at Saint Clare's hospital in New York city. In 1989 Otto Griebling was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame, along with fellow inductees Felix Adler, Emmett Kelly Sr., Mark "Tony" Anthony, Lou Jacobs, and Red Skelton. Otto Griebling will live on in the hearts of all those who love clowns and circuses. Special thanks to Kristen Autobee, Asst. Curator for Circus Museum at the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art. Ms. Autobee aided me in a one year search for Otto Griebling's grave.
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