Red Skelton, the beloved comedian whose infectious humor brought joy to millions, lived a life that was as rich offstage as it was on. In his final years, Skelton’s days were marked not only by his enduring creativity but also by a deep yearning for peace—a balance he sought through art, nature, and quiet generosity. This is the story of a man who, even in his twilight, never stopped creating or giving back to the world.
A Restless Creator
In his later years, Red Skelton was a man driven by a quiet urgency. Sleeping just four or five hours a night, he would rise by 5 a.m., already immersed in his creative pursuits. He wrote stories, composed music, and painted vibrant works of art, each piece a reflection of his boundless imagination. Skelton once shared that his drive wasn’t rooted in a desire for fame but in a heartfelt wish to leave behind as much of his work as possible—a gift to the world that would outlive him.
His paintings, often whimsical yet deeply expressive, captured the same spirit of humanity that defined his comedy. Whether it was a clown portrait or a colorful landscape, Skelton’s art was a testament to his belief in the power of beauty to uplift and inspire. His music, too, carried a warmth and sincerity that echoed the kindness he showed in life.
Finding Peace in Nature
Away from the spotlight, Skelton found solace in the simple joys of life. At his Palm Springs home, he cultivated serene Japanese and Italian gardens, each a carefully crafted sanctuary of tranquility. His love for bonsai trees was particularly telling—tending to these miniature marvels required patience, care, and a reverence for the delicate balance of life, qualities that defined Skelton’s quieter moments.
His 600-acre horse ranch in California’s Anza Valley was another haven. Here, surrounded by rolling hills and open skies, Skelton embraced a slower, more peaceful rhythm. The ranch was more than a retreat; it was a space where he could connect with the land and find respite from the demands of his public life. These moments of stillness stood in stark contrast to the high-energy performances that had made him a household name.
A Legacy of Kindness
Red Skelton’s career was built on making people laugh, but his legacy is equally defined by his generosity and compassion. Even as he faced the challenges of aging, he remained committed to creating—not for personal gain, but to leave something meaningful behind. His art, his stories, and his music were all extensions of a life dedicated to bringing joy and comfort to others.
In the end, what Skelton longed for most was peace. He found it in his gardens, his ranch, and the act of creation itself. Yet, even in that stillness, he never stopped giving. His life serves as a quiet testament to the power of kindness, reminding us that true greatness lies not just in what we create, but in how we share it with the world.
A Timeless Gift
Red Skelton’s story is one of balance—between laughter and reflection, performance and solitude, creation and peace. His final years were a beautiful chapter in a life well-lived, where he poured his heart into his work while finding solace in the simple beauty of the world around him. Through his art, his gardens, and his unwavering generosity, Skelton left behind a legacy that continues to inspire—a reminder that even in our quietest moments, we can create something extraordinary.
The Red Skelton Show
The Red Skelton Show, which premiered on 30 September 1951, was not only one of the longest running variety series on television, but also one of the first variety shows to make the successful transition from radio to television. Despite his popularity as an entertainer in nightclubs, vaudeville, radio and 26 feature films, Skelton was unsure of the new medium. Consequently, he continued his weekly radio broadcasts while simultaneously working on the first two season of his television show.
The series originally aired in a half-hour format on NBC. Despite an outstanding first year in which his show was ranked fourth in the Nielsens and won two Emmy awards, the series’ ratings toppled in its second season. When NBC canceled the show, it was immediately picked up by CBS, and The Red Skelton Show became a Tuesday night staple from 1954 to 1970.
The format of the series was similar to Skelton’s radio program. Each show began with Skelton performing a monologue based on topical material, followed by a musical interlude. He would then perform in a series of blackout sketches featuring one or more of his characters. The sketches were a mixture of new material and old routines (including his popular “Guzzler’s Gin”) perfected over the years in vaudeville and in nightclubs. At the end of the program, Skelton would become serious and express his gratitude to his audience for their love and laughter. His signature closing line became “Good night and may God bless.”
The Red Skelton Show, unlike other variety series, did not rely on guest stars every week. Skelton had a strong group of support players, most of whom had worked with him on his radio program. They included Benny Rubin, Hans Conried, Mel Blanc, and Verna Felton.
Most of Skelton’s characters were first developed for radio and worked equally well on television. Among the best known were Junior the Mean Widdle Kid (who was famous for his expression, “I Dood It”), country boy Clem Kadiddlehopper, Sheriff Deadeye, boxer Cauliflower McPugg, drunkard Willy Lump-Lump, and con man San Fernando Red. Skelton had a reputation for his extensive use of “headware.” Each character had his own specific hat, which Skelton used as a means to find the center of each personality.
The only television addition to his repertoire of characters was Freddie the Freeloader, a hobo who never spoke. A special “silent spot” featuring the hobo character was added to the program, and provided Skelton the opportunity to demonstrate his talents as a pantomimist.
Skelton’s forte was his use of slapstick. He seemed oblivious to physical punishment and often ended his vaudeville act by falling off the stage into the orchestra pit. One of his most popular pieces was created for his premiere show. At the end of his monologue, while Skelton was taking a bow, two hands reached out from under the curtain, grabbed him by the ankles, and swept him off the stage.
Many stars got their start on The Red Skelton Show. Johnny Carson, one of Skelton’s writers, was called upon to fill in for the star when, in 1954, Skelton injured himself during a rehearsal. The Rolling Stones made one of their earliest American appearances on the show in 1964.
Critics often chastised Skelton for breaking into laughter at his own material on the air. But, no matter how many times he succumbed to his giggles, took another pratfall, mugged for the camera, or made asides to the audience, his popularity only increased.
Although the series remained among the top 20 rated shows, CBS canceled it in 1970, citing high production costs. But it was also the case that Skelton’s main audience was very young viewers and speculation suggested that the network wanted to increase its audience share of young adults. The next season, Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour format on Monday night, but the new show lasted only one season.
During the run of his variety series, Skelton was also able to demonstrate his dramatic abilities. He played the punch-drunk fighter, Buddy McCoy, in Playhouse 90’s The Big Slide (CBS, 1956) for which he was nominated for an Emmy award as Best Actor.
-Susan Gibberman
REGULAR PERFORMERS
Red Skelton
David Rose and His Orchestra
Carol Worthington (1970-1971)
Chanin Hale (1970-1971)
Jan Arvan (1970-1971)
Bob Duggan (1970-1971)
Peggy Rea (1970-1971)
Brad Logan (1970-1971)
The Burgundy Street Singers (1970-1971)
PRODUCERS
1951-1970; Nat Perrin, Cecil Barker, Freeman Keyes, Ben Brady, Gerald Gardner, Bill Hobin, Seymour Berns
1970-1971; Guy Della Cioppa, Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso
PROGRAMMING HISTORY
NBC
September 1951-June 1952 Sunday 10:00-10:30
September 1952-June 1953 Sunday 7:00-7:30
CBS
September 1953-June 1954 Tuesday 8:30-9:00
July 1954-September 1954 Wednesday 8:00-9:00
September 1954-December 1954 Tuesday 8:00-8:30
January 1959-June 1961 Tuesday 9:30-10:00
September 1961-June 1962 Tuesday 9:00-9:30
September 1962-June 1963 Tuesday 8:30-9:30
September 1963-June 1964 Tuesday 8:00-9:00
September 1964-June 1970 Tuesday 8:30-9:30
NBC
September 1970-March 1971 Monday 7:30-8:00
June 1971-August 1971 Sunday 8:30-9:00
FURTHER READING
Abramson, M. “The Red Skelton Story.” Cosmopolitan (New York), September 1956.
Busch, N. F. “Red Skelton: Television’s Clown Prince.” Reader’s Digest (Pleasantville, New York) March 1965.
Chassler, S. “Helter Skelton.” Colliers (New York), 29 March 1952.
“Clown of the Year.” Newsweek (New York), 17 March 1952.
“Invincible Red: Tormented Skelton is Top U.S. Clown.” Life (New York), 21 April 1961.
Jennings, D. “Sad and Lonely Clown.” Saturday Evening Post (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 2 June 1962.
Marx, Arthur. Red Skelton. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1979.
Pryor, Thomas M. “Impromptu Comic: In TV, Red Skelton is a Free-Wheeling Clown.” New York Times, 2 March 1952.
“Rubber Face on TV.” Life (New York), 22 October 1951.
“Still Fighting for Laughs.” Look (New York), 2 April 1957.
