David Arquette Reveals How Bozo the Clown has Transformed His Life

David Arquette recently opened up about his fascination with Bozo the Clown on the David Greene Is Obsessed podcast. The actor described Bozo as "that childlike spirit in your heart," emphasizing the joy and wonder the character evokes.

While clowns often receive a reputation for being frightening, Arquette has long admired Bozo, the iconic figure who entertained audiences on television from 1961 to 2001. On the podcast, hosted by NPR journalist David Greene, celebrities discuss their unusual obsessions. Arquette, 54, explained how Bozo has influenced his life and shared his plans to reintroduce the clown to television.

Arquette reflected, "Bozo embodies that sparkle in your eyes as a kid, the laughter shared with friends. That's what makes him special."

Before The Bozo Show aired on WGN, the character was originally developed to encourage children to enjoy reading. "Alan Livingston, who worked at Capitol Records, created Bozo for a read-along record to help kids learn to read," Arquette explained. "When the whistle blew, kids turned the page, and eventually, it led to TV pilots and the shows we know."

Arquettes interest in clowns began with his father, Lewis Arquette, who played J.D. Pickett on The Waltons. "My dad would appear at my birthday parties as Butter the Clown," he recalled. "Then he'd return in normal clothes, and I'd tell him Id 'just missed Butter the Clown!'"

His fascination deepened when he studied clowning with Misha Usov. "Clowning is a fascinating art," he said. "Its full of surprises and amazement. You look at ordinary things in a completely new way, as if seeing them for the first time."

Arquette believes clowns should be seen as sources of joy rather than fear. "People think 'scary clowns,' but the purpose of a clown is to create happy memories and laughter," he noted.

He also credits performing as Bozo with helping him adjust past behaviors. "Playing Bozo lets you be silly and carefree in ways you wouldnt normally. Its like being completely free without any negative consequences," he said.

Since acquiring the rights to Bozo in 2021, Arquette has been working to revive the character on television. "Its been a long journey15 yearsbut Bozo is now airing in Brazil, and were working to bring him back here. Performing as Bozo makes me feel happy, light, and free while spreading joy to others," he shared.

Author: Benjamin Carter