Red Skelton
Richard Red Skelton was born in Vincennes, Indiana on July 18, 1913. As a teenager Skelton worked in a circus and continued as an entertainer in vaudeville. By the 1930s he had his own radio show and within a few years had become one of the most popular comedians in the movies.
While Richard (Red) Skelton's name is often associated with comedy, thinking of artist Red Skelton only as a comedian does him a grave injustice. Skelton was a prolific painter, photographer, author, and composer, who began drawing when he was five years old. Red Skelton's paintings are most notably of clowns, including some characters he portrayed, although he also created still lifes and landscapes. Skelton turned to prints when he realized the demand for his work far exceeded his output. He hand-signed the prints once he had ascertained they were of the highest quality. Whether on paper or canvas, his prints remain some of artist Red Skelton's most sought-after pieces.
Red Skelton prints' and original works' value has steadily increased since his passing in Palm Springs, CA on September 17, 1997.