Mingo & Friends
Posted By thecircusblog on March 3, 2009
Mingo is second from the right in his pink polka dot clown wardrobe. I have known Mingo all of my life. Most circus performers knew Mingo as a true circus trooper. The clown on the left is Willie the Tramp Clown. I believe this photo was taken on the Gatti Charles Circus in the mid 1960’s. I remember Mingo as a sweet and gentle person who would do anything in the world to help a fellow circus performer. I never heard him speak ill of anyone. May God bless him… Help me to remember the names of the two lady clowns on either side of Mingo.
I have the names now thanks to Jackie Knupp. See Comment below.
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thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
4 Responses to “Mingo & Friends”
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Good day,
I think I may have been a neighbor of Mingo, if he was residing in a trailer park in Norco CA during the late 70’s… do you suppose that this was the Mingo you speak of, he talked a bit of his years performing… Could you update me on what became of Mingo and when he passed away.
Thanks,
David
Mingo did live in Norco, CA not to far from his good friend Chata Weber. All I can tell you about Mingo is that he was a dear, dear man. A little known fact is that Robert Mitchum and Mingo were friends. When Mitchum first started his acting career there were a lot of tough times, Mingo would give him some money so he would not go hungry.I saw that same kindness with other perfomers and friends. I knew Mingo most of my life and we worked many shows together. It juct dawned on me that I never knew his real name …..he just went by Mingo. One day he was here the next he was gone, May God bless him.
Hello Ivan,
I have some notes here on Gatti Charles Circus that I believe my mom must have typed up that says Domingo ‘Mingo’ Feliz… so perhaps that is his real name…
and further ….
Bob ‘Hi-Fi’ Emerico Producing clown
Ray “Tally-Ho’ Smith
Jim ‘Weary Willie’ Elwess
Domingo ‘Mingo’ Feliz
Gloria ‘Bagby’ Stratford
Jackie
I met Robert “Bob” Emerico known as Hi Fi The Clown when I had a Gospel Magic store in Springfield, OR in 1978. He was an incredibly wonderful, caring person. He developed some special magic effects which I had in my store on consignment for him.