Top 9 Creepiest Clowns
Captain Spaulding (House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects)
Since we included Baby Firefly on our “Top Babies” list, there is no way we could put out a “Top Clowns” list and not include Captain Spaulding. “What’s the matter, kid? Don’t you like clowns? Don’t we make you laugh? Aren’t we fucking funny?!” Those were some fantastic lines as Spaulding car-jacked Halloween actress P.J. Soles. Played by Sid Haig, Spaulding is one of the driving forces behind Rob Zombie’s stellar films House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects. Spaulding is not your typical clown, far from it. While traditional clowns are concerned with entertaining children and bringing smiles to all, Captain Spaulding is more interested in getting laid, avoiding pain-in-the-ass tourists, and generally just being left alone. As surly as he is murderous, Captain Spaulding is to House of 1000 Corpses what Jim Siedow’s Cook was to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
The Joker
So often referred to as the Clown Prince of Crime, The Joker has a legacy of brutality that is unmatched. Originally inspired by actor Conrad Veidt’s portrayal of Gwynplaine in the 1928 film The Man Who Laughs, The Joker is the most iconic evil clown of all time. Whether you prefer his comic form, where he perhaps peaked in the Alan Moore’s graphic novel The Killing Joke, or if you prefer The Joker’s moving picture portrayals (such as those by Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton’s Batman, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, or even Caesar Romero in television’s “Batman” series”), The Joker has long been a staple of badassery. From the mean streets of Gotham to the cells of Arkham Asylum, The Joker is one of the most horrific clowns ever! (P.S. The Joker’s on-again/off-again, Harley Quinn, is one helluva a clown in her own right!)
The Killer Klowns (Killer Klowns from Outer Space)
When it comes to oddly misshapen, dumpy looking clowns, the Killer Klowns from Outer Space take the cake. But they are indeed deadly. With unique weapons and a language all their own, these intergalactic baddies rule when it comes to cartoon brutality. Here to take over and use humanity as their food source (they must have heard all the stellar reviews about Soylent Green), the Killer Klowns may look goofy but are as serious as a heart attack. Created by the Chiodo Brothers, the siblings have reported that a sequel (or multiple sequels) may be on the horizon. We say, “Yes, please” as we cannot get enough wild, clown-inspired madness.
