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{{Short description|American actor and TV personality}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Frank Oliver Wiziarde
| name = Frank Oliver Wiziarde
| image =
| image =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_date = July 25, 1916
| birth_date = July 25, 1916
| birth_place =Westmoreland, Kansas
| birth_place = [[Westmoreland, Kansas]]
| death_date = September 11, 1987
| death_date = September 11, 1987
| death_place =Overland Park, Kansas
| death_place = [[Overland Park, Kansas]]
| occupation = [[Actor]] and television personality
| occupation = [[Actor]] and television personality
| spouse =Kitty Louise Handley (1923 - 1988)
| spouse = Kitty Louise Handley (1923–1988)
| children = Laura Michele Wiziarde (b. December 1, 1946, d. May 2, 2009)
| children = 1
| parents = Jack O. Wiziarde and Laura "Lulu" Baldwin
| parents =
| website =
| website =
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| birthname =Frank Oliver Wiziarde
| birthname = Frank Oliver Wiziarde
| othername =
| othername =
| yearsactive =1953 - 1987, his death
| yearsactive = 1953–1987, his death
| domesticpartner =
| domesticpartner =
}}
}}
'''Frank Oliver Wiziarde''' (died 1987) was an [[United States|American]] [[actor]] and [[television]] personality who was known primarily for his performances as Whizzo the Clown in the Kansas - Missouri area from the 1950s through the 1980s.
'''Frank Oliver Wiziarde''' (1916–1987) was an American [[actor]] and [[television]] personality who was known primarily for his performances as Whizzo the Clown in the [[Kansas]]-[[Missouri]] area from the 1950s through the 1980s (similar to [[Bozo the Clown]].)


==Career==
==Career==
Frank Wiziarde began performing in the "Wiziarde Trio" founded by his mother and father in the 1920s. The family called Westmoreland home and opened a bakery and restaurant there as well during the period. Frank performed on the rolling globe act with his mother and Mamie Scott and appeared as principal in the wire act.<ref name=":0" />
Frank Wiziarde began performing in the "Wiziarde Trio" founded by his mother and father in the 1920s. The family called [[Westmoreland, Kansas]] home and opened a bakery and restaurant there as well during the period. Wiziarde performed on the rolling globe act with his mother and Mamie Scott and appeared as principal in the wire act.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=A different kind of big top |url=http://cjonline.com/life/2009-04-19/a_different_kind_of_big_top |access-date=2016-12-30}}</ref>


In 1930, the Wiziarde family created the Wiziarde Novelty Circus, a traveling circus that appeared at stores and county fairs, in which Frank performed until the act's disbanding at the end of the 1936 season, during the height of the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]].<ref name=":0" /> After high school, Frank went to Hollywood and appeared in a few films.
In 1930, the Wiziarde family created the Wiziarde Novelty Circus, a [[traveling circus]] that appeared at stores and county fairs, in which Wiziarde performed until the act's disbanding at the end of the 1936 season, during the height of the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]].<ref name=":0" /> After high school, Wiziarde went to Hollywood and appeared in a few films.


Between December 15, 1942 and December 8, 1946, Frank served in the U.S. Army.<ref>''Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File''. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.</ref>
Between December 15, 1942, and December 8, 1946, Wiziarde served in the [[U.S. Army]].<ref>''Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File''. Washington, D.C.: [[U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]].</ref>


In 1947 Frank became a radio announcer for KFEQ in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he became known for his man-on-the-street interviews.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/frank-wiziarde/18325|title=Frank Wiziarde - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society|website=www.kshs.org|access-date=2016-12-30}}</ref>
In 1947 Wiziarde became a [[radio announcer]] for [[KFEQ]] in [[St. Joseph, Missouri]], where he became known for his man-on-the-street interviews.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/frank-wiziarde/18325|title=Frank Wiziarde - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society|website=www.kshs.org|access-date=2016-12-30}}</ref>


He began his television career in 1953 in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], working for KMBC-TV.<ref>[[Abstract (summary)|Abstract]] of archived papers (March 7, 2006). [http://www.umkc.edu/whmckc/Collections/IKC0322.HTM "Frank Oliver Wiziarde (1916-1987) Papers (KC322)"]. [[State Historical Society of Missouri#Western Historical Manuscript Collection|Western Historical Manuscript Collection]]-Kansas City (hosted on website of the [[University of Missouri-Kansas City]]). Accessed January 13, 2010.</ref> The station wanted to produce a children's program, and Wiziarde came up with the idea for Whizzo, based on his experience performing as a clown for his parent's circus acts. His show went on the air in 1954. He switched stations several times going to to KCMO-TV in Kansas City and then WIBW-TV in Topeka, but kept his character of Whizzo the Clown.<ref name=":1" />
He began his television career in 1953 in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], working for [[KMBC-TV]].<ref>[[Abstract (summary)|Abstract]] of archived papers (March 7, 2006). [http://www.umkc.edu/whmckc/Collections/IKC0322.HTM "Frank Oliver Wiziarde (1916-1987) Papers (KC322)"]. [[State Historical Society of Missouri#Western Historical Manuscript Collection|Western Historical Manuscript Collection]]-Kansas City (hosted on website of the [[University of Missouri-Kansas City]]). Accessed January 13, 2010.</ref> The station wanted to produce a children's program, and Wiziarde came up with the idea for Whizzo, based on his experience performing as a clown for his parents' circus acts. His show went on the air in 1954. He switched stations several times going to KCMO-TV in Kansas City and then WIBW-TV in [[Topeka]], but kept his character of Whizzo the Clown.<ref name=":1" />


Whizzo's last show was on May 20, 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kansas Historical Society |title=Whizzo the Clown TV Show Props |url=https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/whizzo-the-clown-tv-show-props/10273 |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=[[Kansapedia]]}}</ref>
Whizzo's last show was on May 20, 1987.


== The Whizzo Song ==
== Film ==
His 1966 film<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161209013513/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b76647c41 Santa's Christmas Circus (1966)|BFI]</ref> ''Santa's Christmas Circus'', features Wiziarde, with members of the Johnny Miller Dance Studio,<ref>[https://www.rifftrax.com/santas-christmas-circus-unriffed Santa's Christmas Circus (UnRiffed)|RiffTrax]</ref> taking the kids to the North Pole via magic carpet.<ref>[https://dove.org/review/19330-santas-christmas-circus/ Santa's Christmas Circus - Dove.org]</ref>
Who's always smiling, never sad? It's Whizzo!


== Rediscovery ==
Who makes the boys and girls so glad, Whizzo.
''Santa's Christmas Circus''<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/movies/santas-christmas-circus/cast/2030074575/ Santa's Christmas Circus - TV Guide]</ref> was parodied by [[RiffTrax]] on December 22, 2016 alongside the short film ''The Christmas Tree''.<ref>[https://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax-christmas-circus RiffTrax Christmas Circus on RiffTrax]</ref>

He's a merry fellow with a big red shiny nose,

Dressed in crazy mixed-up clothes

From his head down to his toes.

He has a great big trunk of tricks, has Whizzo.

He'll sing a song or do a dance for you.

And when you're sad, he'll make you glad.

The very best friend you ever had.

Whizzo the clown, that's who.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://cjonline.com/life/2009-04-19/a_different_kind_of_big_top|title=A different kind of big top|access-date=2016-12-30}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
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*{{IMDb name|0937212}}
*{{IMDb name|0937212}}
*Frank Wiziarde at the [https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/frank-wiziarde/18325 Kansas Historical Society]
*Frank Wiziarde at the [https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/frank-wiziarde/18325 Kansas Historical Society]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs3eaG4xmgU RiffTrax treatment of ''Santa's Christmas Circus with Whizzo the Clown'' on official YouTube channel]

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Wiziarde, Frank}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wiziarde, Frank}}
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[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:People from Westmoreland, Kansas]]

[[Category:Actors from Kansas]]

{{US-tv-actor-stub}}

Latest revision as of 11:12, 3 September 2024

Frank Oliver Wiziarde
Born
Frank Oliver Wiziarde

July 25, 1916
Westmoreland, Kansas
DiedSeptember 11, 1987
Overland Park, Kansas
Occupation(s)Actor and television personality
Years active1953–1987, his death
SpouseKitty Louise Handley (1923–1988)
Children1

Frank Oliver Wiziarde (1916–1987) was an American actor and television personality who was known primarily for his performances as Whizzo the Clown in the Kansas-Missouri area from the 1950s through the 1980s (similar to Bozo the Clown.)

Career

[edit]

Frank Wiziarde began performing in the "Wiziarde Trio" founded by his mother and father in the 1920s. The family called Westmoreland, Kansas home and opened a bakery and restaurant there as well during the period. Wiziarde performed on the rolling globe act with his mother and Mamie Scott and appeared as principal in the wire act.[1]

In 1930, the Wiziarde family created the Wiziarde Novelty Circus, a traveling circus that appeared at stores and county fairs, in which Wiziarde performed until the act's disbanding at the end of the 1936 season, during the height of the Great Depression.[1] After high school, Wiziarde went to Hollywood and appeared in a few films.

Between December 15, 1942, and December 8, 1946, Wiziarde served in the U.S. Army.[2]

In 1947 Wiziarde became a radio announcer for KFEQ in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he became known for his man-on-the-street interviews.[3]

He began his television career in 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri, working for KMBC-TV.[4] The station wanted to produce a children's program, and Wiziarde came up with the idea for Whizzo, based on his experience performing as a clown for his parents' circus acts. His show went on the air in 1954. He switched stations several times going to KCMO-TV in Kansas City and then WIBW-TV in Topeka, but kept his character of Whizzo the Clown.[3]

Whizzo's last show was on May 20, 1987.[5]

Film

[edit]

His 1966 film[6] Santa's Christmas Circus, features Wiziarde, with members of the Johnny Miller Dance Studio,[7] taking the kids to the North Pole via magic carpet.[8]

Rediscovery

[edit]

Santa's Christmas Circus[9] was parodied by RiffTrax on December 22, 2016 alongside the short film The Christmas Tree.[10]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "A different kind of big top". Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  2. ^ Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  3. ^ a b "Frank Wiziarde - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  4. ^ Abstract of archived papers (March 7, 2006). "Frank Oliver Wiziarde (1916-1987) Papers (KC322)". Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City (hosted on website of the University of Missouri-Kansas City). Accessed January 13, 2010.
  5. ^ Kansas Historical Society. "Whizzo the Clown TV Show Props". Kansapedia. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  6. ^ Santa's Christmas Circus (1966)|BFI
  7. ^ Santa's Christmas Circus (UnRiffed)|RiffTrax
  8. ^ Santa's Christmas Circus - Dove.org
  9. ^ Santa's Christmas Circus - TV Guide
  10. ^ RiffTrax Christmas Circus on RiffTrax
[edit]
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