Jan_Feb_1997

January/February, 1997
Quentin Michael 'Smiley' Cole
COAi's Clown of the Year
Quentin Michael "Smiley'' Cole -- a man who was born
with clowning in his blood -- is COAi's 1997 Clown of the
Year.
Smiley has been a clown for 35 years, and has been
teaching clowning for a decade. He was born in Chatham
County, near Savannah, GA, in 1941. In the 1930's and
40's, Smiley's father, James Cole, worked on a farm. But
when the circus was working, Smiley's Dad worked for the
circus, including clowning. Martha, Smiley's mother, cooked
for the circus hands. They worked for the Roberts Circus
and the Clyde Beatty Circus.
month of December, for instanc~
Awards? Smiley says they'd probably fill a G.I. can:
Marine Masts of Appreciation , certificates from schools,
hospitals, chambers of commerce, and from appreciative
individuals.
Smiley graduated from the International School of
Clown Performing Arts, Inc., at the University of North
Florida in 1990. A year later he became an instructor with
Clown School , Samford University, Birmingham, AL. He's a
performer with the Peanut Circus and, with his wife,
operates a costume business (since 1983) and the Joy
A gypsy circus came through Chatham County when Smiley Clown School (since 1986),which has graduated
Smiley was nine. He ran ....----------------------, more than 100 Smiley clowns.
away with it, but three days
later, his family retrieved
him.
Smiley was 19 when
he joined the U.S.Marine
Corps as a private. He
retired 28 years later as a
lieutenant colonel, after
three tours of Vietnam and
after saving a girl from
drowning on an Okinawa
beach (for which he
received the Navy and
Marine Corps Medal).
His retirement came on
a 90 percent disability
caused by Agent Orange.
Smiley's usually in pain
(cancer and diabetes), but,
he says, "I hang in there.I
trust in the Lord, and when
I'm around kids and see
them laughing, that's
therapy to me."
His clowning career goes way back into his time in the
Marines, when he'd go into his act aboard ship, military
bases and civilian facilities in Japan, the Philippines, Guam
and Vietnam. These days, he does free shows at Camp
Lejeune, makes videos for kids to send to their fathers
overseas, visits nursing homes and hospitals, entertains
handicapped children and (sometimes with his wife, "Miss
Joy") works various paid gigs. He worked 27 shows in the
10 The New Calliope
Smiley's nomination to COAi's
highest honor was supported
by dozens of joeys who have
worked with him -- and who
love him. Here's what some of
them had to say about Smiley:
+ "He is an excellent instructor.
Performing on stage in a park
or parade,he is hilarious; or
sharing one on one, he is
patient and loving; he has
always time to share with the
beginner as well as help more
advanced clowns hone their
skills." Stephanie "The
Bag Lady" Richardson,
Raleigh, NC.
+ "Most of Smiley's
performances are
accompanied by chronic pain,
but he never lets the pain
-----' stand in the way of his
performance. He is a clown that I truly admire as a peer and
look up to as a person. He is a clown's clown, blessed with a
very special talent." Jim "Dune Buggy" Russell,
Clown School Dean and Peanut Circus Clowns
Director, Butler, GA.
"I remember a show he did for a little girl here. She was
dying of leukemia and the chemotherapy had taken nearly
all of her hair. Smiley shaved his head and did a show just
for her." Michael "Bebo" Feting, Jacksonvllle, NC.