Russell Scott

Who was Russell Scott?

Russell Scott, also known as Blinky the Clown, was an American clown who starred in a Denver, Colorado television program called Blinky's Fun Club. Having spent 41 years on television in character, Scott holds the record as longest-running television clown in history.

Scott began his entertainment career as Sears-O the Clown, performing in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Changing his character's name to Blinky, his success brought him to the attention of television station KKTV. Blinky's Fun Club began in 1958, originating from the KKTV studios. In 1966, the show moved to KWGN in Denver and remained there until ending its run in 1998. Scott performed in more than 10,000 episodes, giving him the longest career of any children’s T.V. personality in the U.S. and second longest in the entire world.

In 2004, he was inducted into The Silver Circle of the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 2005, he was inducted into the Broadcast Professionals of Colorado's Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was the subject of a documentary titled Blinky, produced and directed by Brian Malone.

Scott owned Blinky's Antiques and Collectibles on South Broadway in Denver, Colorado. After 22 years, the shop closed in 2008.