Krusty the Clown: Springfield's wild TV star

CharacterKrusty the Clown

Adored by children on air, cynical and depressive the moment the cameras go off: the Channel 6 star hides a loaded file. In it you will find his full real name, Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky, the twenty-five-year estrangement from his father Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky revealed in "Like Father, Like Clown", the empire of defective merchandise — the Krusty-O's cereal and its sharp metal Krusty-O — the Krusty Burger fast-food chain and "Itchy & Scratchy". You will even learn that his design is nothing other than Homer made up as a clown.

Adored by children on screen, disillusioned and cynical behind the scenes: Krusty the Clown is the biggest star on Springfield television… and one of the most tormented.

Bart's absolute idol, king of dubious merchandising and owner of the Krusty Burger fast-food chain, this clown has a far deeper story than he lets on. A profile of a cracked icon. His career even nearly came to a halt in the face of an unexpected rival, the puppet Gabbo.

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Who is Krusty the Clown?

Krusty hosts the "Krusty the Clown Show", the Channel 6 children's programme that Bart and Lisa watch religiously. Bart idolises him to the point of saying he has "built his whole life" on his favourite clown's lessons, and of sleeping surrounded by his merchandise. Alongside the clown works a performing chimpanzee, as mistreated as he is replaceable. On set, he is backed by his faithful sidekick, Sideshow Mel. His set has hosted a great many real celebrities, in the image of the countless guest stars who have passed through the show.

But behind the make-up and the surface cheer hides a cynical, jaded and depressive man: Marge describes him as "a desperately unhappy man". Addicted to gambling, cigarettes and alcohol, Krusty also manages his finances catastrophically, spending his money as fast as he earns it.

🛏️ Marge may describe Krusty as "a desperately unhappy man", but Bart says he sleeps surrounded by merchandise of his favourite clown. On your own bed, our Simpsons cushions keep you the same kind of company through the night.

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Herschel Krustofsky: Jewish roots

Krusty's full real name is Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky. The episode "Like Father, Like Clown" (season 3) reveals his roots: born in Springfield's Jewish quarter, he is the son of Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky, who so opposed his son becoming a clown that he disowned him. Father and son would not speak for twenty-five years, until a reconciliation orchestrated by Bart and Lisa.

A delicious anecdote: Krusty's design is in fact that of Homer made up as a clown. Matt Groening was partly inspired by a television clown from his childhood in Portland, "Rusty Nails".

🩲 Under Krusty's make-up, the base is the drawing of Homer made up as a clown: the bottom layer stays hidden, yet it carries the whole character. Under your jeans, that's exactly the job of our Simpsons boxers.

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The Krusty empire: merchandising, Krusty Burger and Itchy & Scratchy

Krusty built his fortune by putting his name on an avalanche of poor-quality merchandise, often defective and even dangerous — like his famous Krusty-O's cereal, which contained a jagged metal Krusty-O. He is also the owner and mascot of the Krusty Burger fast-food chain, regularly shut down by health inspectors — and he even lent his name to a summer camp remembered for all the wrong reasons.

On his show, he broadcasts the cartoon "Itchy & Scratchy" (the English names are kept in the French version), an ultra-violent parody of Tom and Jerry with the roles reversed: Itchy the mouse tortures Scratchy the cat. Behind the scenes, it was Krusty who launched — very much against his will — the career of his former sidekick turned public enemy, Sideshow Bob, before replacing him with the equally battered Sideshow Mel.

🥤 With health inspectors shutting it down again and again, Krusty Burger isn't the ideal place to grab your drink to go; our Simpsons insulated tumblers, on the other hand, are ones you fill and wash yourself.

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Krusty's voice actors

In the original version, Krusty is voiced by Dan Castellaneta (the voice of Homer), who modelled his gravelly tone on that of Bob Bell, the performer behind Bozo the Clown on Chicago television. In the French version, we find the same line as for Mr. Burns and Sideshow Bob: Michel Modo, then Gérard Rinaldi, and finally Xavier Fagnon from season 23.

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Summary table

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FAQ

• What is Krusty the Clown's real name?
  Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky. His Jewish roots are revealed in the episode "Like Father, Like Clown" (season 3).
• Is Krusty really depressive?
  Yes: behind his cheerful persona, he is a cynical and unhappy man, addicted to gambling, cigarettes and alcohol.
• What is Krusty Burger?
  The fast-food chain Krusty owns and fronts as its mascot, frequently pulled up by health inspectors.
• What is the cartoon broadcast on Krusty's show called?
  "Itchy & Scratchy" (the English names are kept in the French version), an ultra-violent parody of Tom and Jerry in which the mouse attacks the cat.
• Who voices Krusty in French?
  Michel Modo, then Gérard Rinaldi, then Xavier Fagnon from season 23.

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Conclusion

An adored star and a broken man, a business genius and a walking disaster, Krusty the Clown is one of Springfield's richest characters. Proof that, under the make-up, The Simpsons always hide a truth far deeper than a simple gag.

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