Joseph Grimaldi

Joseph Grimaldi (18 December 1778 – 31 May 1837), was an English actor and comedian who is perhaps best known for his invention of the modern day whiteface clown. He chiefly appeared at Drury Lane in pantomime where his greatest success was appearing in Harlequin and Mother Goose; or the Golden Egg and followed with a successful performance at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. Grimaldi was born in Clare Market, London, into a family of dancers and clowns. His Italian father, Joseph Giuseppe Grimaldi (d. 1788), was a dancer and Pantaloon who first appeared in London, as a balletmaster, at the King's Theatre in Haymarket, and was later engaged by David Garrick to play in pantomimes at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Grimaldi's mother,...