Zanesville resident Roy Lee Virtue became a well-known clown in the '40s and '50s
When discussing professional clowns from Zanesville, we should first consider Steve Smith, a 1969 graduate of Zanesville High School. For many years he was associated with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He joined a select group of ultra-talented men and women when he was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 1993.
However, before Smith was even born, a Zanesville man had made a name for himself as a professional clown. An article appearing in the Zanesville News on Jan. 6, 1946, which was written by Elanore Bailey Johnson, told the story of Roy Lee Virtue, who became a professional clown after traveling various other career paths.
Although Lee Virtue was born in Steubenville, he came to Zanesville in about 1916 to marry a lady he had first met at a Canton house party. During his youth, Virtue had trained to be a dancer, so it is not surprising to hear he had entered the entertainment business. The article's author stated: “... for many years (he) was featured in various vaudeville circuits which played the larger towns and cities.”
While performing, he discovered other skills: “Always, in the acts in which he appeared, he was interested not only in the routine of the dancing, but in the costuming and 'dressing' of the act itself. He loved showy settings and elaborate backgrounds and devised some for acts that might otherwise have been rather drab and ordinary.” Later he would use his sewing skills to make all his clown outfits. (My wife says I dress like a clown, but I'm not certain her statement was meant to be a compliment.)
Perhaps to his wife's delight, Virtue also displayed excellent culinary skills. At the time this article was written, most husbands had little to do with food preparation. For example, the most I can remember my father doing in the kitchen is making an occasional pot of coffee. So, no doubt, Virtue's co-workers on the vaudeville circuit were pleasantly surprised whenever he prepared wonderful meals for them as well as for himself.
Soon after coming to Zanesville, Virtue operated a dance studio located at Fifth and Main streets. The author of the 1946 article proceeded to inform readers about some of Virtue's other business endeavors: “Then for several years he ran the dance floor and concessions at Moxahala Park and had his studio, through the summer, right there. During much of this time Lee Virtue also put on shows and entertainments for churches, lodges, and groups who were arranging benefits. He worked with some of the Moorehead sisters (Did this include Agnes Moorehead, who later starred in the TV series, "Bewitched?"), those talented girls from Rix Mills, gave private dancing lessons at the old Sammons home, corner of Adair and Euclid, where they (Mr. and Mrs. Virtue) lived after their marriage and later put on some of the floor shows at the Wonder Bar. During that period he also cooked there.”
Although Virtue thoroughly enjoyed giving dance lessons and performances, he was not making enough money to take care of his wife and daughter. Along with Louis Gale, he opened the Economy Restaurant. We older folks remember that establishment under its later name, the Clock Restaurant. Virtue did most of the cooking for his patrons and often was hired to provide meals for various banquets.
After a few years in the restaurant business, Virtue's doctor worried about his failing health. He ordered Virtue to find another occupation. According to the author of the 1946 article, the doctor said, “No more cooking; no more hanging over stoves.”
Therefore, he applied to various circuses in the hope of being hired as a clown. With Virtue's background in dancing and entertainment, plus with his ability to make scenery and even his own costumes, he was soon enthusiastically hired by the Cole Brothers Circus.
According to Wikipedia, the circus was organized in 1884 by William Washington Cole as “W.W. Cole's New Colossal Shows.” A medium-sized circus, it was famous for lions, tigers and other exotic animals as they and their human counterparts made their way to the circus site.
The author of the article described Virtue's performance on May 20 of the previous year when the Cole Brothers Circus came to Zanesville: “He is featured in two special animal numbers: one with the famous dancing pony, Barney, and one with Jimmy the mule. Then he has a convulsing routine where he plays the part of a bride in a mock wedding. After the ceremony a giant firecracker explodes and as the smoke clears the bride's dress has been blown completely off.
“You can imagine the reaction of the audience when the 'bride' appears sans everything but a very gay and stiff corset, striped panties and stockings, but clutching the only thing 'she' could salvage...a bouquet of bright red roses.” His newlywed act might be considered politically incorrect by today's standards.
As stated in the 1946 article, Lee Virtue was in his third year as a clown, so he must have begun his career with Cole Brothers in 1944. An official Cole Brothers Circus bulletin in 1955 still had Virtue listed among its group of clowns.
Steve Smith is certainly the king of Zanesville's clowns. However, we should not forget this area's earlier funnyman, Roy Lee Virtue, who ably entertained so many circus fans, young and old alike, during the 1940s and 1950s.
Lewis LeMaster is a retired school teacher of the Zanesville area.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Roy Lee Virtue of Zanesville became a well-known clown in 1940s
