Local Clown Speaks Out After Recent Scary Clown Headlines

After seeing images and warnings of creepy clowns make their way around social media, part-time clown and youth pastor Justin Brodie said he wanted to speak up for who he calls “real clowns.”

“A clown is someone who brings laughter and joy to the people that we meet. Clowning is an art. It's an art form,” Brodie said sitting behind a table at his church in Canton.

He’s been a clown for 12 years and goes by the name of Big Red, an homage to his red hair, freckles and outgoing personality, but the life of a clown isn't always jokes and tricks. 

“I've been flipped off, I’ve been mooned. I’ve had trash thrown at my car I’ve experienced excessive profanity while performing,” Brodie said talking about various birthday parties and performances.

So when he saw photos of creepy clowns making the rounds online he thought it was time to step out from behind the make-up. 

“I've seen story after story if creepy clowns, creepy clowns, creepy clowns, creepy clowns, creepy clowns, creepy clowns and it would just be nice to see a different spin and a different side of it,” Brodie lamented.

Law enforcement agencies from cities around the state say the clowns are just a prank. But it hasn't stopped some from making threatening jokes like one person from Edmond who posted if they see a clown “he will perish."

Even Stephen King creator of the infamous killer clown Pennywise told follows on Twitter this week to "cool down...most of ‘em (sic) are good." 

Something Justin "Big Red" Brodie knows to be true. 

“The world needs more joy. We need to smile more. We need to laugh more. And that’s what a clown is and that’s what we do,” he said.