Edwin Haig Alberian (January 21, 1920 – March 31, 1997) was a stage and television actor and entertainer who began his career in
off-Broadway and
Broadway productions,[1][2] and moved into the nascent television industry, where his work was oriented to children's programming and
clowning. Alberian played the
Clarabell the Clown for public appearances[3] and on the television show Howdy Doody appeared as Professor Gusbags, as well other characters such as Doaky the Clown, on
Let's Have Fun and The Beachcomber Bill Show.[4][5] Alberian was frequently asked to do the original live performances of animated or promotional characters. Projects in which he worked include appearances as
Bozo and in The Banana Splits. He was also the side-kick and chaperone, Sir Clacky Wack, to
Sunbeam Bakeriesmascot Little Miss Sunbeam.[6][7][8] In these numerous roles he often played
master of ceremonies at
variety shows and fundraisers and was introduced to many prominent figures, including President Truman.[9] In 1958, he copyrighted the persona of Dokey the Clown, which developed through his career.[10][11][12] On a private trip to
Armenia he was seen entertaining local children and, in 1988, after some years of semi-retirement, was invited to
Soviet Armenia to promote cultural exchange.[13]
Education and personal life
Alberian was born Edwin Haig Alberian in New York on January 21, 1920. Alberian was of
Armenian descent, his family having arrived in the United States as part of the
Armenian diaspora.[14] He attended
New York University and
Columbia University,[9] where he studied science and chemistry and received a degree in
perfumery. He later graduated from
Juilliard School and chose a career as performer.
^"Opera News, Volume 39". Opera News. Metropolitan Opera Guild. 1974. Many youngsters had their first taste of opera March 25–29 at Bergen Mall , Paramus , N. J. , when Dokey the Clown presented " Funopera Bopera . " Lovable Dokey ( Eddie Alberian ) treated his audience to a mixed bag of circus antics and...
^Parisi, Albert J (May 22, 1988),
"Clown to Visit Soviet", New York Times, p. 12,
archived from the original on May 25, 2015, retrieved December 10, 2009
^"Collections & Exhibitions". Holocaust and Genocide Studies | College of Liberal Arts.
Archived from the original on 2015-05-06. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
^Stancavish, Don (April 2, 1997), "Edwin Alberian was TV's Clarabell", The Record